Music Education Through Gullah

About the Book

The Gullah culture consists of African Americans who live in the Low-Country region of South Carolina and Georgia, which includes both the Coastal Plains and the Sea Islands. This book will outline the important contributions that Gullah has made in the areas of art, religion, agriculture, and music. For instance, in music, Africans’ expression of improvisation and polyrhythm has been a continuing cultural influence in American music. This book contains music scores from original Gullah music.
In the American educational system, the music curriculum often focuses on the history and influence of European composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart. When African American music is discussed, the curriculum is limited to jazz, blues, and rock and roll; however, recent studies have shown that African American music originated from Gullah music. This book will reveal and provide information about Gullah music and how it can be incorporated in public schools.

About the Author

Marianne Rice is a language arts teacher with Prince William County Public School System in Virginia; she has taught in the middle-school and high-school settings. A business entrepreneur, she is the former owner of A New Day Child Care and Preschool. She also does music educational residencies for high schools and universities, as well as curriculum guides for a nonprofit performing arts program. Marianne has a master’s degree in music education from Norfolk State University, master’s degree in secondary education from Old Dominion University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Benedict College.