Percussionist John Arrucci helps Haldane students find their own syncopation. “Ga ga tiga, ga-ga ga tiga!”

No, you’re not on some alien planet. You’re in Haldane and that’s the sound of the Brazilian Samba drum pulse that emanated out from the school’s Music Room and auditorium on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

John Arrucci, world renowned master percussionist, composer, and educator, led the various elementary, middle school, and high school band and chorus groups in a series of workshops that featured the exciting Brazilian Samba drumming prominent in most Carnival celebrations. These were followed by two spirited world percussion assemblies in the afternoon.

During the morning workshops, the individual groups learned to play together on the agogo bells and tamborim while Mr. Arrucci provided the heartbeat pulse of the surdo drum.

The students experienced the joy of ensemble music making while learning the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and listening.

Mr. Arrucci also spoke of the cultures, traditions, and history that surround Samba drumming.

In the afternoon, there was an assembly for the 3rd graders, followed by one for 4th through 8th grades.

Both presentations celebrated the rich diversity of percussion traditions from around the world as Mr. Arrucci demonstrated and discussed instruments from Brazil (berimbau and cuica), Nigeria (shekere), Cuba (conga), South Africa (mbira ‘thumb piano’) and Trinidad’s mesmerizing steel drum.

The students learned about each instrument’s unique construction and playing technique, as well as some of its history and tradition.

Mr. Arrucci’s vibrant, cultural presentation was made possible by a grant from the Haldane School Foundation. Mrs. Debbie Contini, Haldane music director, enthusiastically brought the idea to the Foundation and organized the day-long event.

Mr. Arrucci’s work has been featured on more than 50 recordings, scores for feature films, and music for television.

He has recorded and performed with Mariah Carey, John Patittucci, Gil Goldstein, Eddie Henderson, Stefon Harris, David Byrne, Oliver Lake, and many others.

Arruci graduated from the Eastman School of Music and has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards including a Post Doctoral level research fellowship to India from the Smithsonian Institution.

He studied in Brazil with a Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Graduate fellowship. He has also been the recipient of “Meet the Composer” and NYSCA grants.

His compositions have been performed around the world. Mr. Arrucci has served as Percussion instructor and lecturer at Princeton University since 1986.