World Music Ensembles
World Music Ensemble
Director: Scott Currie
Non-auditioned ensemble. Every semester, this class explores Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Caribbean popular repertories and rhythms: samba, bossa nova, salsa, merengue, mambo, and more. Planned master classes and clinics with local artists complement regularly scheduled rehearsals and performances, including a spring finale in the May Day Parade.
Register for MUS 5460, section 001.
- World Music Ensemble meeting time: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Afrobeat(s) Arkestra
Director: Alaba Ilesanmi
Non-auditioned ensemble. The Afrobeat(s) Arkestra is an Afro-pop ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of popular music from across Africa and the Black diaspora. The Arkestra integrates African, jazz, and orchestral instruments to engage both traditional and contemporary repertoires, foregrounding the rhythmic vitality, melodic richness, and harmonic imagination of global Black musical expressions and cultures. Its repertoire includes Afrobeat(s), Afrofunk, Afropop, Afrosoul, Amapiano, Highlife, et cetera. Designed as a collaborative, community-oriented space, the Arkestra welcomes musicians, dancers, and other creatives. In addition to performance, students examine extramusical contexts (i.e., broader sociocultural and historical factors that shape these traditions). Through rehearsals, performances, and discussion, the course emphasizes creative exploration, collective musicianship, and critical engagement with African and Black diasporic expressive cultures. While no audition is required, strong aural skills and rhythmic proficiency are essential. The ensemble culminates in public performances at the end of the semester.
Register for MUS 5494, section 001
- Afrobeat(s) Arkestra meeting time: Thursdays, 5:45 – 8:15 pm
West African Music Ensemble
Non-auditioned ensemble. Hands-on experience in learning to play West African music, one of the great non-western musical traditions that are readily accessible to beginners. Also, insights into function, context, structure, gender roles, politics, instruments, life-cycle rites, genres, musical organizations, traditional musicians, and contemporary popular music. This course is led by Master Drummer Sowah Mensah from Ghana, West Africa, and is open to all students—no musical background needed! Members will have the opportunity to play drums, xylophone, and sing.
- Please note: West African Music Ensemble is not offered in the Fall 2026 semester.
Learn more about world music opportunities at the University of Minnesota.