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Adventures in Rhythm
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About the Artist:
Steve has been a lead singer, songwriter, producer, band leader/spokesman/manager, booking agent, art director, professional drummer, and percussionist since 1988. He is a founding member, singer, and percussionist of the band Blue Miracle. Blue Miracle is a genre-bending Jam Band with two original albums to date (“Blue Miracle” and “Stick it Out”). They have played at clubs, festivals, colleges, and private events throughout the country for over three decades. Blue Miracle has shared the stage with groups such as The Band, The Byrds, Ben Folds, Hootie & The Blowfish, Maceo Parker, The Meters, Grand Funk Railroad, Gov’t Mule, Blues Traveler, and many more. To this day Steve collaborates with many different bands and musicians across the region. Steve has been on the MSAC roster and has been a teaching artist with Arts for Learning, MD for over 13 years.
Category:
- Music
Type of Programs Offered
- residency
- workshop
- auditorium
- virtual
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Adventures in Rhythm – ASSEMBLY
Description:
The Adventures in Rhythm Assembly is an interactive performance by Stephen Cyphers. Steve sings songs, leads chants, and plays the drum set, bongos, congas, timbales, cowbells, and more! This assembly explores the evolution of percussion from the earliest instruments like the African log drum to the modern drum set and many in between. Students sing, chant, clap, stomp, and even join the performance on stage! Students learn about the origins and evolution of these instruments and the different ways they vibrate to make sound. Steve teaches the basics of music along the way. This includes instruction on pitch, tone, tempo, and duration. "Mr. Steve" introduces different rhythms and styles of music, performing songs from Afro-Cuban & Caribbean cultures to American R&B, Rock, Pop, and Blues. Students hear James Brown, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Bo Diddley, Sly Stone, and more. Students (and staff) enjoy a concert-like experience while learning unique insights and physically engaging themselves while bursting with excitement!
Culminating perf. optional. Interactive Assembly, Workshops, Residencies, PD's. [ALL live or virtual]
Appropriate Grade Levels:
1 - 12Curriculum Connections
Music, STEM, Literacy, History, Geography, and Social Studies
This program is offered as:
- auditorium
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Adventures in Rhythm – RESIDENCY
Description:
The Adventures in Rhythm Residency delves deeper into the origins and evolution of percussion. It provides an opportunity for students to discover old and new instruments from many different cultures. The bongos, congas, timbales, djembe, dumbek, vibra-slap, claves, woodblocks, and drum-set are some of the instruments used in his program. While exploring the different ways they produce sound, Steve teaches and reinforces the elements of music in fun and creative ways. Students form a “Bucket Band” and use mallets to play rhythms and perform songs alone and as a group. This residency is a great introduction to what it is like to learn an instrument and to be a productive and creative member of a band. Students learn valuable lessons in teamwork, respect, self-control, and the rewards of practice. A culminating performance gives students a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned. Steve is very flexible and can tailor his lessons to accommodate the needs of any school, class, or grade. His standard residency touches on a wide range of subjects: STEM, literacy, history, geography, and social studies. Steve can tailor his lessons to incorporate any curriculum priorities you have.
Appropriate Grade Levels:
1 - 12Curriculum Connections
Music, STEM, Literacy, History, Geography, and Social Studies
This program is offered as:
- residency
-
Adventures in Rhythm – ASSEMBLY
-
Artist's featured work:
Artist's videos:
English 
Spanish