They’ve got the beat

Miller Photography

Participants (from left) Ido Babou, Clare King of PS 255 at 151 in Queens and Florence Daniels of PS 50 in Queens find the beat working with claves — two sticks used percussively. More photos >>

Miller Photography

Kerene Spigner of Frederick Douglass Academy VIII tries her hand as an improvisational drummer on an upside-down bucket.

Music teachers at every level covered a lot of ground in the four hours they spent circumnavigating the globe musically at a workshop at UFT headquarters on Nov. 13. Participants sang in several languages and learned rhythm exercises in a series of interactive workshops led by teaching artists using the Putumayo Kids World Curriculum. With a global theme in mind, the activities included call-and-response techniques and rhythm exercises focused on fostering teamwork and communication in the classroom. The instruments used were from around the world and included agogo bells, shakers, cabasas and claves, as well as uniquely improvised percussion instruments. The international music focus was designed as a way to introduce children to other cultures. Sponsored by the New York City Music Teachers Association/UFT and the Music Educators Association of New York City, the event was co-chaired by Sharon Golub, a music teacher at PS 11 in Manhattan, and retiree Roberta Feldhusen.