Didgeridoo Down Under: Awesome Educational Entertainment!
G’day! Didgeridoo Down Under is a leading educational entertainment company in the U.S. We specialize in weaving cultural arts, core curriculum, character building, motivational speaking and audience participation into interactive shows, workshops and residencies. Our program themes range from Australian cultural arts to science, literacy, character education and more. Since 2003, we’ve presented 10,000+ programs at schools and other venues nationwide, and we’re based in North Carolina. DDU performers Rob Thomas & Tanya Gerard have performed at schools and other venues throughout the U.S. for 20+ years and have produced music for numerous films, including the IMAX movie Sacred Planet.
Assembly Performance:Didgeridoo Down Under Show
Australian Music, Character Building & More!
The DDU Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, and loads of audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and it’s known for its otherworldly sound. During the show, we play a variety of exotic didgeridoos and worldly percussion instruments. We also use motivational signs, vocabulary lists and artwork to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. We adjust our programs according to grade levels. The DDU Show is interactive, educational, inspirational and super fun for all ages!
Duration: 60 minutes
Grade Level: Pre-K, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: 600
Maximum Number of Performances: 6
Technical Requirements:
-
2 tables and electrical access
NC Essential Standards: 1) 6.CR.1 - We promote musical education by not only playing didgeridoos, but also talking about how the Aboriginal people have been using the didgeridoo for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 2) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 3) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a didgeridoo. We also play didgeridoos made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth. 4) K.G.1 - We display maps to show various locations such as Australia (inc. major cities and land features) and Oceania. This program uses geographic representations and terms to describe surroundings. 5) 2.ICR.1 - We encourage socio-emotional learning by teaching about the importance of kindness, tolerance and respect for all people and cultures. We also emphasize anti-violence and anti-bullying with the help of a sign that reads “Bullying is not cool!” This program helps students understand healthy and effective interpersonal communication and relationships.
Cost:
Fee for one program: 1 performer $900, 2 performers $1500
Fee for two programs (same day, same school): 1 performer $1300, 2 performers $2000-
Assembly Performance:Protect the Planet
World Music, Earth Science & Ecological Entertainment!
Join us for an epic musical and scientific adventure, from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs to the modern world. We weave world music, awe-inspiring visuals and audience participation into a captivating show. Students will marvel at prehistoric creatures roaming primordial landscapes; they’ll explore a mysterious plant communication network; they’ll observe interactions between different animal species; and most importantly, they’ll learn how to protect our precious Earth. Some students will be invited to play musical instruments. It’s interactive, educational, inspirational!
Duration: 60 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: 600
Maximum Number of Performances: 6
Technical Requirements:
-
2 tables and electrical access
NC Essential Standards:1) NCES.Bio.2.2.1 - Infer how human activities (including population growth, pollution, global warming, burning of fossil fuels, habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species) may impact the environment. 2) NCES.Bio.2.2.2 - Explain how the use, protection and conservation of natural resources by humans impact the environment from one generation to the next. 3) NCES.EEn.1.1.4 - Explain how incoming solar energy makes life possible on Earth. 4) NCES.EEn.2.2.1 - Explain the consequences of human activities on the lithosphere (such as mining, deforestation, agriculture, overgrazing, urbanization, and land use) past and present. 5) NCES.EEn.2.8.4 - Evaluate the concept of "reduce, reuse, recycle" in terms of impact on natural resources.
Cost:
Fee for one program: 1 performer $1000, 2 performers $1600
Fee for two programs (same day, same school): 1 performer $1400, 2 performers $2000-
Workshop:Aussie Funk Jam: Learn to Play
Learn to Play the Didgeridoo!
The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1500 years, and it's known for its otherworldly sound. Your students will ...
... use our beginner PVC didgeridoos (clean and sanitized).
... learn how to drone and make numerous sounds, including animal calls.
... learn how to play basic rhythms.
... learn the fundamental concepts of circular breathing.
... learn about Australia and Aboriginal culture.
... learn how to craft a didgeridoo from household items such as cardboard tubes (on their own time).
... partake in an uplifting jam session!
Good vibes guaranteed!Duration: 60 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: 60
Maximum Number of Performances: 6
Technical Requirements:
-
2 tables and electrical access
NC Essential Standards:1) 2.ML.1 - We teach how to play the didgeridoo, including droning, vocalizing, tonguing, imitating sounds of nature, and playing basic rhythms. This program teaches students how to apply the elements of music and music techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression. 2) 6.CR.1 - We talk about the didgeridoo and its connection to the Aboriginal people, who have been playing it for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 3) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 4) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a simple didgeridoo. The performer also plays a didgeridoo made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth.
Cost:
Fee for one program: $400 (must take place on same day as a show)
Fee for two programs (same day, same school): $800 (must take place on same day as a show)-
Residency:Didgeridoo Residency
Immersive Didge Experience!
This exciting cultural arts experience includes 2 to 5 full days of didgeridoo immersion. The residency kicks off with the DDU Show and then focuses on progressively more advanced didgeridoo workshops, culminating with a short performance by the students! Your students will ... - use our beginner PVC didgeridoos (clean and sanitized). - learn how to drone, play basic rhythms, and make numerous sounds. - learn about Australia and Aboriginal culture. - learn how to craft a didge from household items such as cardboard tubes (on their own time). - be the musical stars in a short performance!
Duration: 60 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: one or two full grade levels (best for 3rd-12th)
Maximum Number of Performances: 30-60 minutes per session; up to six sessions per day
Technical Requirements:
-
2 tables and electrical access
NC Essential Standards: 1) 2.ML.1 - We teach how to play the didgeridoo, including droning, vocalizing, tonguing, imitating sounds of nature, and playing basic rhythms. This program teaches students how to apply the elements of music and music techniques in order to sing and play music with accuracy and expression. 2) 6.CR.1 - We talk about the didgeridoo and its connection to the Aboriginal people, who have been playing it for at least 1500 years. This program helps students understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. 3) 7.CX.1 - We teach about various styles of Aboriginal artwork, including ancient X-ray art and modern dot art, which is displayed on our didgeridoos and art panels. This program helps students understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. 4) EEn.2.8 - We demonstrate how students can reduce, reuse and recycle by turning a cardboard tube or PVC pipe into a simple didgeridoo. The performer also plays a didgeridoo made from recycled blue jeans. This program encourages students to evaluate human behaviors in terms of how likely they are to ensure the ability to live sustainably on Earth.
Cost: 2 days $3000, 3 days $4000, 4 days $5000, 5 days $6000
-
Virtual Engagement Adventures of the Wild Wolf...
Virtual Engagement Adventures of the Wild Wolf: Unleash Your Inner Reader & Author!
Children’s author Tanya Gerard and her husband, Rob Thomas, have raised wolves and wolf-dog hybrids as pets for 20 years. Their pets inspired Tanya to write The Adventures of the Wild Wolf. Tanya & Rob are on a mission to motivate children to read and write, and to unlock their own inner author. They will read and act out passages from her book, complimented by stunning photos and videos of their pets, and they will deliver motivational messages about reading, writing and life: Read as much as possible. Write about what interests you. Keep writing, even if it’s not perfect. Follow your dreams!
Duration: 60 minutes
Grade Level: Elementary School
Maximum Number of Students: 600
Maximum Number of Performances: 6
Technical Requirements:
-
Computer and Internet Access
NC Essential Standards: 1) NCES K.A.1.1 - Recall the basic parts of a story, such as characters, setting, and events. 2) NCES 1.C.1.2 - Use creative drama techniques, such as storytelling or puppetry, to demonstrate vocal variety. 3) NCES 2.C.1.2 - Use vocal variety and animation to create distinct voices for characters. 4) NCES 2.A.1.2 - Analyze the relationships between events, characters, and settings. 5) NCES 3.A.1.1 - Differentiate specific character traits in texts or scripts. 6) NCES 3.C.1.3 - Understand how to transform stories into written dialogue. 7) NCES 4.C.1.2 - Apply appropriate vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression to various types of literature and storytelling. 8) NCES - 4.C.2.2 Interpret multiple characters from stories through use of the body and voice. 9) NCES - 5.C.1.1 Use a variety of postures, gaits, and mannerisms to express a variety of characters in the presentations of stories. 10) NCES - 5.A.1.1 Analyze texts or scripts in terms of setting, characters, sequence of events, main idea, problem, solution, and their interrelationships. 11) NCES - 5.C.1.3 Construct original scripts using dialogue that communicates ideas and feelings.
Cost: prerecorded program w/ 1-month access $500; live virtual program w/ Q&A $1000
-

