The SOSU African Ensemble

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

AFRICAN ENSEMBLE

The SOSU African Ensemble is another ethnic ensemble students participate in at Southeastern. This music is characterized by numerous, highly energetic rhythms combining to form a complex whole. The group performs authentic compositions derived from the musical traditions of West Africa. The handcrafted instruments and inspirational rhythms include:

THE INSTRUMENTS:

Gankogui (iron double bells)
Atoke (boat-shaped iron bells)
Firikyiwa (iron finger bells)
Axaste (gourd rattles)
Kagan (small drums)
Kidi (medium drums)
Sogo (large drums)
Atsimevu (master drum)
Djun Djun (support drum)
Frame Drums (hand-held drums)
Donno Drums (talking drums)
Djembes (solo drums)
Udu Drums (clay drums played with hands & fingers)

The RHYTHMS and PATTERNS:

Gahu
Nankasa
Mowugola
Asafo
Husago
Sikyi
Kete
Asaadua
Adowa
Atsiagbeko
Highlife

A new African performing group started in spring 1999 is the UDU DRUM ENSEMBLE which consists of 6 African Udu drums (essentially "clay pots") that are accompanied by various bells and shakers. Be sure to check out the latest photos and the video of this unusual ethnic ensemble at SOSU.

Click to see a Photo

The AFRICAN ENSEMBLE for 2006:

Beau Chadwell
Stephanie Cypert
Alan Gray
Jonathan King
Walton McMurry

Derek Morris
Mason Perkins
Mark Price
Roderick Rosser
Jesse Speer
Marc White

African & Udu Ensemble Video Clips
These video clips are rather large Quicktime files that may take considerable time to download, especially with slow modems and/or dial-up connections. To view the clips you need the Quicktime Plugin (it is FREE and available for both MacIntosh and IBM platforms).

Click to Hear an Excerpt

Other Percussion Performing Ensembles