Contact Jim to schedule music teacher education workshops and/or Artist in Residencies in Elementary Schools.
Click on the CONTACT link in the menu bar above.
Welcome to CongaTown!
This is the web home of author and clinician, Jim Solomon. Please use the top links to peruse the various workshops, publication and learning opportunities! If you drum up any questions feel free to contact Jim by clicking, "Contact".
These workshops focus on Elementary School with optional Middle School content. All materials and activities are “kid-tested” and appropriate for use by teachers with vocal, instrumental and/or movement backgrounds. Several topics can be combined in a day long workshop, i.e., “Singing Games for Primary” with “Percussion Ensemble for Intermediate.” Artist in Residencies are available for one day to one week. Student demonstrations can be included in workshops whenever requested.
How’d They Learn That? Process Teaching!
Sing, move, clap, dance, improvise, jam . . . play congas, recorders, Orff instruments . . . perform a great variety of kid-tested pieces . . . then analyze the process utilized in teaching each piece.
Drums, Body Percussion and Recorder!
Rock out on drums, jam with body percussion, and improvise with recorder using a variety of kid-tested pieces. Learn a dynamic process for teaching beginning rhythm reading to children using the 4 chairs technique. Experience the Rotating Circle, a powerful percussion/ensemble/improvisation "skill developer." It's time to jam!
Musicianship through the Orff Approach (Active Music Making Builds Musicianship In Children)
The Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines musicianship as, “Knowledge, skill and artistic sensitivity in performing music.” The Orff approach to music education gives teachers the means of teaching total musicianship, because it concentrates on development of all three - knowledge, skills and artistic sensitivity - and it does so in a manner appropriate to children. We also have the significant opportunity to help develop the social cooperation of our students. Experience a variety of activities chosen to give a taste of different possibilities. Ensemble is a major component because so much is accomplished through its use. The possibilities are staggering!
Focus on the Groove!
Participants perform drum pieces with movement and form, then analyze how to adapt them for classes with different abilities while maintaining their character.
Percussion Ensemble for 2nd-Middle School
Jam out with age-appropriate ensembles! Perform with user-friendly instruments: congas/tubanos and other percussion. Form and improvisation are addressed.
Beginning Conga/Percussion Ensemble for Elementary School
Jump into the jam! Perform ensembles targeting 3rd-5th grade students not used to playing in ensemble. Form and improvisation are addressed.
Intermediate Conga/Percussion Ensemble for Elementary School
“Shake and bake” with ensembles for regular classes of 4th grade and older. Form and improvisation are addressed.
Advanced Conga/Percussion Ensemble for Experienced Elementary & Middle School
Rock out with pieces targeting experienced 5th and Middle School players! Form and improvisation are addressed.
Recorder Jam
Take kid-tested soprano recorder pieces, add guitar, drum and movement, and mix it into a jam!
Rhythm and Words
Perform age-appropriate pieces for body percussion and congas/tubanos. Focus on the essential role of speech to teach rhythm.
Singing Games for Primary
Sing, move and play a fabulous collection of traditional games.
Drum Performances
Examine various elements to include in elementary school drumming performances and perform pieces with congas / tubanos that demonstrate possibilities.
Pieces for Improvisation
With congas, recorders, and/or Orff instruments.
Play, and Develop Ensemble Teaching Skills
Develop your musicianship and ensemble teaching skills by playing with easy to use exercises and performing with congas/tubanos.
Artist in Residency
One day to one week, focus on age-appropriate percussion ensemble and/or any other topics listed.
Author and National Clinician, Jim Solomon has been an Instructor of General Music, Chorus, Recorder, and D.R.U.M., a special percussion group for fifth-grade students. He has over 30 years experience teaching music in public elementary schools.
In the summers, Mr. Solomon taught Level I Orff Certification at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, from 1992 to 2019. He teaches Rhythmic Training/Percussion Ensemble for Elementary/Middle School Teachers at Anderson University and other various locations, and he works with Kindergarten-High School students at the Eagle Arts Camp in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jim has presented workshops to Orff Chapters and MEAs throughout the country and at twenty American Orff Schulwerk Association National Conferences. He presented a Master Class in Rhythmic Training at the AOSA National Conference in Omaha.
Mr. Solomon was National Board Certified in 2002, and has been recognized as an MENC Nationally Registered and Nationally Certified Music Educator. He has been Teacher of the Year for St. Johns County, Florida.
Author and National Clinician, Jim Solomon has been an Instructor of General Music, Chorus, Recorder, and D.R.U.M., a special percussion group for fifth-grade students. He has over 30 years experience teaching music in public elementary schools.