Damascus Kafumbe
Office
Mahaney Arts Center 308
Tel
(802) 443-5578
Email
dkafumbe@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
Spring 2023: Mon., 10:45-11:45 a.m.; Tue., 3:00-4:00 p.m.; or by appointment
Additional Programs
Academic Affairs African Studies Minor Anthropology Black Studies Music

Professor Kafumbe teaches ethnomusicology and performance courses, directs the Middlebury African Music and Dance Ensemble as well as the Middlebury Afropop Band, and maintains the College’s Ugandan musical instrument collection. He also serves as the chair of the Department of Music and sits on the Black Studies Steering Committee.

Courses Taught

Course Description

African Musical Lifestyles
Musical practice in Africa varies from culture to culture, but Africans generally conceptualize music in ways that differ greatly from those in the West. In this seminar we will explore these variances through a wide range of activities, including music and dance performances, lecture demonstrations, group discussions, film screenings, reading and writing, as well as research and oral presentations. Stressing a sense of “music” as a verb rather than a noun, we will develop a fresh appreciation for and understanding of African musical practice as a way of life. No prior musical background is required. 3 hrs. sem.

Terms Taught

Fall 2019

Requirements

ART, CMP, CW, SAF

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Course Description

Latin American Studies Senior Thesis
(Approval Required)

Terms Taught

Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023

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Course Description

What in the World is Music?
In this course we will explore global musical cultures in order to better understand both those musical cultures and our own in relation to one another. The course has two goals: to introduce students to unfamiliar ways of listening to and thinking about different elements of music (including – but not limited to – rhythm, melody, timbre, texture, harmony, and form); and to develop skills for appreciating cultural significances of these elements. We will achieve these goals through readings, lectures, discussions, film screenings, listening sessions, workshops, concerts, and hands-on activities. 3 hrs. lect.

Terms Taught

Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021

Requirements

ART, CMP

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Course Description

Performance Lab
Credit can be conferred for performance in faculty-supervised ensembles: (see listing of "Ensembles" in the requirements section). One unit of credit to accrue over two semesters (spring then fall only). The appropriate supervising faculty will give grades, based on attendance and quality of performance. A student should inform the ensemble director of intent to sign up for this course before starting, and should actually register for MUSC 0205 only the SECOND of the two terms by adding it as a fifth course. MUSC 0205 does not fulfill any major course requirements and may not be taken more than once. (Approval required)

Terms Taught

Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

African Soundscapes
This course will introduce students to musical cultures and practices from the African continent with a focus on particular regional styles. Through readings, lectures, discussions, film screenings, listening sessions, concerts, and hands-on activities, we will develop skills for analyzing and appreciating the diversity of African musical practices and their social, economic, and political value in traditional and contemporary contexts. Some background in music may be necessary. 3 hrs. lect.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020

Requirements

AAL, ART, SAF

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Course Description

African Music and Dance Performance
This course will introduce students to various techniques of performing East African (primarily Ugandan) musical and dance traditions through regular rehearsals, culminating in an end-of-semester concert. As an ensemble, we will learn and master how to play and sing/dance to bow-harps, thumb-pianos, xylophones, tube-fiddles, bowl-lyres, gourd shakers, struck gourds, reed-box rattles, ankle bells, leg rattles, and various types of drums. Some background in performing music is recommended, but prior knowledge of performing African music and dance is not required. 3 hrs. lect./lab

Terms Taught

Fall 2019, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023

Requirements

ART, SAF

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Course Description

Music in World Cultures
In this course students will develop skills for analyzing a wide range of music styles and appreciating their social, economic, and political importance. We will explore selected case studies through readings, lectures, discussions, film screenings, listening sessions, workshops, concerts, and hands-on activities. (MUSC 0209 or MUSC 0261) 3 hrs. lect.

Terms Taught

Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023

Requirements

ART, CMP

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Course Description

Topic is determined by the instructor - refer to section for the course description.

Terms Taught

Fall 2020, Fall 2022, Fall 2023

Requirements

ART

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Course Description

Independent Study
Admission by approval. Please consult published departmental guidelines and paragraph below.

Terms Taught

Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024

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Course Description

Senior Work
Senior work is not required of all music majors and joint majors. However, students interested in and eligible for departmental honors (see guideline above, in "Departmental Honors" section) may propose one or two-semester Senior Work projects. Projects may be in history, composition, theory, ethnomusicology, performance, or electronic music, and should culminate in a written presentation, a public performance, or a combination of the two. MUSC0704 does not count as a course toward fulfillment of the music major.

Project and budget proposals for Independent Study and Senior Work should be submitted by the previous April 1 for fall and winter term projects, and the previous October 15 for spring term projects. Budget proposals will not be considered after those dates. Project proposals will be considered after the deadline but are more likely not to be approved due to previous commitments of faculty advisors or other scheduling reasons.

Terms Taught

Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024

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Course Description

Performing Arts & Community Engagement in Uganda
Using a Community-Based Learning framework, this class will immerse students in a community of musical instrument makers in Mpambire Village, Mpigi District. With the guidance of the course instructors, the students will collaborate with members of the community to identify its challenges and objectives. The students will then integrate these into their academic goals (within their respective majors) via community-based research and projects. The goal of the course is to effect positive change for the mutual benefit of the community partners and student learning, which includes mentorship with these partners. The skills that the students will develop through their community-based learning experiences will stretch their capacities for effective engagement and cross-cultural understanding.

Terms Taught

Summer Study 2022

Requirements

SAF, Summer Study

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