We see it in their faces, we sense it in their hearts - elementary and middle school students love to play percussion! The allure is almost overpowering. Students are drawn to drums like metal is drawn to a magnet. They are fascinated with the sights, sounds and experience of playing.

Percussion instruments provide unlimited potential for experience in rhythm, ensemble, movement, improvisation, meter, and timbre; the musical learning can be extensive. These instruments provide teachers the flexibility to assign parts of varying difficulty to players of different abilities. The ensemble itself provides an invaluable social experience, because the players depend on each other for the ensemble to succeed.

Conga drums are perfect instruments for use in elementary and middle schools. They allow for instant success (for students and teachers) when only open tones and bass tones are used. Open and bass tones provide the powerful contrast needed to make ensembles dynamic, moving experiences. See the INSTRUMENT TECHNIQUE pages for specific descriptions of these tones.

If you work at a school that does not have all of the instruments listed in these arrangements, SU8STITUTE OTHER INSTRUMENTS! See the INSTRUMENT TECHNIQUE pages for some possible substitutions. If you have extra instruments, use as many as possible in order to achieve a big sound.

A powerful percussion ensemble is thrilling and achievable. A strong, precise sound will move your group and those who are listening!