Have you seen and heard a didjeridu? If you have grown up in this country like I have chances are you are not familiar with this instrument.

It sounds like a very low sounding drone typically played by the Aborigines in Australia during ceremonies. On April 23rd, Irwin Rosenbaum came and talked to us about the history of the instrument and Australia and he brought in 3 different didjeridus to play for us. He also brought clapping sticks and a clay percussion instrument, an udu. It was very interesting. He played contemporary music and in addition to that, we listened to recordings of some traditional pieces, as well as the modern music that is being played with the didjeridu. The modern music sounded like “techno” or something you would expect to hear at a dance club. I did not expect that. I also didn’t expect 2 audience members to show up with their didjeridus. (I'm not really sure of the plural form of didjeridu - if anyone wishes to send me a comment on that I would appreciate it.)

By the end of the program I realized that this was one of the most interesting and unusual programs I've had in a long time. Where else are you going to go to learn about this? Thank you Irwin for sharing your love of an unusual intrument with us.

Miguelina Molina, Community Services Coordinator