Events Calendar

The Story Behind 4 African Instruments

February 23 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Hope Center

Free

This event is open to the public.

Google Calendar Other Calendar

African Music Workshops

Knox College is thrilled to welcome celebrated composer, performer, and educator Jean-René Balekita for two workshops on African music. A specialist in traditions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jean-René is committed to sharing the cultural arts of his country and reaching people of different socio-cultural backgrounds through music.

The following events are free and open to the public. No musical experience required!

Friday, February 23

12-1:20 p.m. (Jay Rehearsal Hall, CFA)

African Polyrhythms Workshop

Join the MUS 103 Music Around the World class for a workshop on African polyrhythms. Percussion instruments will be provided!

4-5 p.m. (HOPE Center)

The Story Behind 4 African Instruments

Learn about the kora, ngomfi, djembe, & sanza at this interactive lecture-demonstration.

Jean-René Balekita specializes in music traditions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has toured extensively in Europe and the US with the band Bomoyi, performing his original compositions based on a blend of Congolese Rumba and Gospel styles. He is a PhD student in ethnomusicology and a teaching assistant in African American music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, holding a master’s degree in musicology (ethnomusicology emphasis) from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in music from the National Institute of Arts, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In addition to his areas of specialization, Jean-René is comfortable teaching various styles of African music on drums, kora, ngomfi, ndara, madimba, voice, and guitar. In Illinois, he has