December 10, 2009 - On December 8, Tony Vacca, an American percussionist with Jazz and World Music roots, paid a visit to Southgate Elementary to help introduce students to percussion and all of its endless possibilities.

Over the course of his career, Vacca has made a habit of pushing the already adventurous conventions of World Music into new territory, both as a soloist and as the leader of his World Rhythms Ensemble. He is part of a wave of 20th century musicians whose work has fueled the rediscovery of the power of the drum, and the power of music to build global common ground.

Vacca’s performance at Southgate incorporated percussion instruments from a world of traditions that includes African, Caribbean, Asian and Middle-Eastern influences, to which he added some of his spoken word and rhythm poetry.

Southgate students and faculty also received the opportunity to join Vacca’s band, as each individual called to the stage was assigned a percussion instrument and responsible for a certain part. The collection of those parts made a wonder rhythmic beat that led to many Southgate students watching in the audience to dance in place.