Global Drums performance at Dorothy Dalgliesh School

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Heather Cameron
Sunny South News

On April 27, Dorothy Dalgliesh School in Picture Butte played host to a Global Drums Performance from the University of Lethbridge that began at 2:30 p.m, and featured African marimbas performing five distinct pieces. The marimba is a percussion instrument featuring wooden bars struck with mallets to produce a warm, melodic tone, often arranged like a piano keyboard.

“The performance was far more than a concert; it was an energetic, hands-on masterclass in culture, history, and the sheer joy of making music,” said Lori Neufeld, music teacher at Dorothy Dalgleish School.

First, Neufeld stated, African marimbas performed “Mbube” (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) from The Lion King.

“Global Drums took the opportunity to teach the song’s roots,” continued Neufeld. “They explained that the original Zulu title is Mbube, which literally translates to lion.”

“Amaxoxo”, a traditional Zimbabwean tune, was next, Neufeld said.

“Inspired by the natural world, the piece mimics the sounds of frogs in a pond,” said Neufeld. “The marimbas were accompanied by a variety of frog guiros, creating a ribbiting soundscape that had the audience grinning. The title ‘Amaxoxo’ means ‘frogs’ in the Ndebele language.”

“Balafron,” Neufeld stated, included the inclusion of percussion tubes called ‘Boomwhackers.’ 

“For ‘Balafon’, a sea of hands went up as volunteers were invited to the front,” said Neufeld. “These lucky students were handed Boomwhackers—brightly colored percussion tubes—and coached to play along with the professional ensemble, creating a massive, collaborative wall of sound. Global Drums didn’t just perform for the students; they performed with them.”

Then, Neufeld stated, a piece called ‘Zendekaiwa’ that involved a ‘spirited vocal exchange,’ was performed. 

“The performers led the student body in a spirited vocal exchange,” explained Neufeld. “The gym echoed with voices as the children mastered a foundational element of many African musical traditions. The performance served as a powerful reminder of how music can act as a universal language. By blending technical skill with storytelling, Global Drums left the students of Dorothy Dalgliesh with more than just a catchy tune in their heads; they left with a deeper appreciation for the Zulu and Ndebele cultures and the natural world that inspires them.”

The performance, Neufeld said, was more than just a break from the classroom, and found herself reflecting deeply on the lasting power of live performance, including recalling a specific moment from her own childhood when she was captivated by a piano player during an elementary school concert that inspired her love for music.

“I hope that this Global Drums performance might serve as a similar turning point for a student at Dorothy Dalgliesh,” said Neufeld. “Whether through the strike of a marimba or the click of a guiro, the goal remains the same: to inspire the next generation of musicians. I am so grateful to our Parent Council for sponsoring this amazing event for the students of Dorothy Dalgliesh School.”