International Summer Institute for Reggae Studies
Ferguson Hall
Reggae music lovers unite! Together we'll immerse ourselves in Jamaican music history, instrumental/vocal conception, and ensemble performance —from roots, mento, ska, and rocksteady, to reggae, dancehall, raggamuffin, and beyond—with seminars from distinguished researchers, workshops with acclaimed artists, and faculty/student concerts. This year's institute will culminate with a lifetime-achievement award program for reggae legend Leroy Sibbles.
Registration is limited on a first-come-first-served basis.
Join internationally recognized master artists and scholars for seminars, ensemble rehearsals, and hands-on vocal/instrumental workshops devoted to the artistic practices and aesthetic developments of popular music in Jamaica since its independence.
The International Summer Institute for Reggae Studies addresses issues that have confronted artists, scholars, arts professionals, and audience members at all levels: artistic conception, repertoire, technique, technology, ensemble organization, programming, and the post-colonial politics of race, class, and gender. All faculty clinicians aim to strengthen and broaden participant's understanding of reggae music on the craft of conducting and the art of teaching.
Workshop activities will be held in Ferguson Hall.
Faculty & Guest Artists
Leroy Sibbles (left, image: @tropicalidad.be), EarthKry (tr), and International Reggae All Stars (br).
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Scott Currie | Institute Director/Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Music |
| Douglas Ewart | Scholar-Artist in Residence, Art Institute of Chicago |
| Herbie Miller | Guest Keynote Scholar, Jamaica Music Museum |
| Benjamin Torrens | Guest Scholar in Residence, Birmingham City University |
| Dan Neely | Guest Keynote Scholar, New York University |
| International Reggae All Stars [IRAS] | Artist-Clinicians in Residence |
| EarthKry | Guest Artist-Clinicians in Residence |
| Leroy Sibbles | Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree |
Options for Participation
All participants should register for the institute, specifying their main instrument (bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, voice, or wind) for the purposes of workshop instruction; those participating primarily as scholars/educators/audience members should specify the instrument they are most interested in researching/observing during workshop sessions.
Every participant completing the week-long program curriculum and attending all activities may request a certificate of completion. Any participant interested in receiving University of Minnesota summer semester credit as well may register for MUS 3993 / 5993 Directed Studies via UMN One Stop.
Program Schedule
| MONDAY, MAY 15 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Check-in/Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Reggae Seminar (Opening Keynote Lecture; Reggae in Minnesota) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Instrumental/Vocal Workshop (Douglas Ewart: Nyahbingi Drumming) |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Workshop Ensemble Session |
| TUESDAY, MAY 16 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Check-in/Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Instrumental/Vocal Workshop (IRAS) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Jamaican Music Industry Roundtable (Chair: Dan Neely) |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Workshop Ensemble Session |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Check-in/Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Instrumental/Vocal Workshop & Break-Out Sessions (IRAS) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Reggae Seminar |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Workshop Ensemble Session |
| THURSDAY, MAY 18 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Check-in/Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Global Reggae Research Roundtable (Chair: Ben Torrens) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Instrumental/Vocal Workshop (EarthKry) |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Workshop Ensemble Session |
| FRIDAY, MAY 19 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Check-in/Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lifetime Achievement Award & Artist Keynote (Leroy Sibbles) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Reggae Seminar: Artist Tribute |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Workshop Ensemble Performance (Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall) |
| 8:00 – 10:00 PM | EarthKry & IRAS Concert (Cedar Cultural Center) [$20 admission] |
Session Fees
Program registration fee: $100 (includes a $50.00 non-refundable registration deposit).
Discounted registration for UMN students, MN community members, and independent scholars offered in partnership with program sponsors.
Housing, meals, transportation, and parking expenses are not included in session fees.
Optional Fees
Parking & Transportation
Parking is available on an hourly/daily rate basis, depending upon facility/location. These are payable upon entry/exit.
Lot 94 and Fourth Street Ramp are located on the West Bank in close proximity to Middlebrook Hall and Ferguson Hall
Street/Meter parking: hourly rates
Ferguson Hall and Ted Mann Concert Hall are in close proximity to the West Bank Light Rail Station.
Meals
Participants are responsible for all meal expenses. Light pastries and coffee are provided each morning. Visitors may pay cash for an all-you-care-to-eat meal. See the restaurant guide and restaurant map for nearby dining options. Online registration does not include any pre-paid meal options.
Optional dinner locations are coordinated each night for social engagements, participants are responsible for meal and beverage expenses.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Receive documentation that you completed this workshop for Continuing Education Units. CEU participants must complete an additional CEU Form and physical sign-in each day. A certificate will be issued at the end of the workshop stating the number of contact hours related to your participation. Flat rate per participant available for any/all tracks.
Sponsors and Community Partners
The Imagine Fund: This activity is supported by an Imagine Fund Special Events Grant, an initiative of the University of Minnesota Executive Vice President and Provost, established through a generous gift from the McKnight Foundation, and facilitated by the Institute for Advanced Study.