Didgeridoo Down Under: Awesome Educational Entertainment!
BOCES ID
178
For
Elementary, Middle, High School
Categories
Music, Theatre, Storytelling, Motivational Speaking
Curriculum
The Arts, Social Studies, Science, Character Education
Costs
Our rates vary. Discounts are available for block booking with other schools in the same district. Please contact us for more info.
Dates Available
We perform year-round. Please contact us for availability in your area.
Program Theme
Didgeridoo Down Under provides unique K-12 enrichment experiences and assemblies for schools in New York and nationwide.
Our programs include:
– Didgeridoo Show 1: Australian Music, Character Building & More! (PreK-5th) — available for in-person & virtual
– Didgeridoo Show 2: Australian Music, Culture & More! (6th-12th) — available for in-person & virtual
– Protect the Planet: World Music, Earth Science & Ecological Entertainment! (K-9th) — new program available for in-person & virtual
– Adventures of the Wild Wolf: Unleash Your Inner Reader & Author! (K-5th) — virtual only
– Aussie Funk Jam: Didgeridoo Workshop! (2nd-12th) — available for in-person & virtual
– Didgeridoo Residency: Immersive Didge Experience! (3rd-12th) — available for in-person & virtual
Since 2003, we’ve presented 9,000+ programs (both in-person and virtual) at schools, libraries and other venues.
Program Description
DIDGERIDOO SHOW 1: Australian Music, Character Building & More! (PreK-5th) – available for in-person & virtual
G’day! The Didgeridoo Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, anti-bullying and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. But DDU is much more than music. It’s interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages!
During the show, performer Rob Thomas plays a variety of exotic didgeridoos, demonstrating various playing styles and upbeat rhythms. He also uses a multitude of props – motivational signs, maps, globes, artwork, puppets and more – to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. The program is very participatory, and several segments involve students playing instruments, dancing or acting out a story. Rob adjusts the program content and delivery style according to the audience grace levels.
DDU supports the Dignity Act and will motivate your students to …
– Appreciate world music and art.
– Act with kindness and acceptance.
– Respect multiculturalism and diversity.
– Think creatively and imaginatively.
– Stand up against bullying.
– Protect the environment.
– Become better global citizens!
Rob has been making and playing didgeridoos for 25+ years; he has performed at countless schools and other venues nationwide; and he has produced music for numerous films, including the IMAX movie Sacred Planet.
Website
Phone
office 813-961-4656 / cell 813-833-8856
Address
We are based in Florida and North Carolina, and we perform regularly in New York.
Associated Performances
DIDGERIDOO SHOW 2: Australian Music, Culture & More! (6th-12th) — available for in-person & virtual
G’day! Join us on an exotic adventure to the Land Down Under, as we teach about its unique cultures, people, creatures and more … all while grooving to the pulsing rhythms of the didgeridoo! DDU performer Rob Thomas also will share stories from his personal world travel archive, as he delivers inspiring messages about cultural diversity and the interconnectivity of all humans.
Rob Thomas plays many exotic didgeridoos and worldly percussion instruments throughout the show. He also uses a multitude of props – motivational signs, maps, globes and more – to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. The program is very participatory, and several segments involve students playing instruments.
The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. But DDU is much more than music. It’s interactive, educational, motivational and highly entertaining!
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PROTECT THE PLANET: World Music, Earth Science & Ecological Entertainment! (K-9th) — new program available for in-person & virtual!
Join us on an epic musical, multimedia and scientific adventure, from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs to the modern world. Multi-talented performer Rob Thomas will weave didgeridoo world music and awe-inspiring projector visuals into a captivating and interactive program.
Students will learn how the air we breathe was created; they’ll marvel at prehistoric creatures roaming primordial landscapes; they’ll explore a mysterious underground plant communication network; they’ll observe interactions between different animal species; and most importantly, they’ll learn how to protect our beautiful and beloved Earth.
Throughout the show, Rob will perform world-fusion music with his vast collection of Australian didgeridoos and worldly percussion instruments. Some students will be invited on stage to play clap sticks during one of Rob’s musical pieces. This show is interactive, educational, motivational and mesmerizing!
Rob has performed at countless schools, theaters and other venues for 20+ years. He has produced music for numerous films, including the IMAX movie Sacred Planet.
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ADVENTURES OF THE WILD WOLF: Unleash Your Inner Reader & Author! (K-5th) — virtual only
Deep in the mystical mountains of western North Carolina, if you listen quietly at night, you might hear the ancient and enthralling sound of … a wolf! Although wolves no longer live in the wild in western NC, children’s author Tanya Gerard and her husband, Rob Thomas, have raised wolves and wolf-dog hybrids as pets for almost 20 years. Their pets – and their love of nature and storytelling – inspired Tanya to write a debut book, The Adventures of the Wild, Wild Wolf, and a soon-to-be-published sequel.
Tanya and Rob are now on a mission to motivate children to practice reading and writing, and to unlock their own inner reader and author. In this fun and engaging virtual program, Tanya and Rob will read and act out passages from her book, complimented by stunning photos and captivating videos of their wild pets. Throughout the program, Tanya and Rob will deliver motivational messages about reading, writing and life. Their messages are simple but important: Read as much as possible. Start by writing about what interests you. Keep writing, even if it’s not perfect. Follow your dreams!
Tanya & Rob have performed at countless schools, libraries and other venues over 20+ years. They also have produced music for numerous films, including the IMAX movie Sacred Planet.
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AUSSIE FUNK JAM: Didgeridoo Workshop! (2nd-12th) — available for in-person & virtual
The didgeridoo is a musical instrument that has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. In this interactive and hands-on program, participants will learn how to play the didgeridoo with our beginner instruments (clean & sanitized, of course). Participants will be mesmerized, inspired and motivated as they enjoy a unique multicultural music experience!
Aussie Funk Jam participants will …
… use our beginner PVC didgeridoos.
… learn how to drone and use sound variations such as tonguing and animal calls.
… learn the fundamental concepts of circular breathing.
… learn about Australia and Aboriginal culture.
… learn how to craft didgeridoo from household items such as cardboard tubes (on their own time).
… partake in an uplifting jam session!
… enjoy a unique multicultural music experience!
The Aussie Funk Jam works best as an accompaniment or follow-up to the DDU show. It is best for ages 8+ and groups of 40 or less, although mature youngsters and slightly larger groups are OK.
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DIDGERIDOO RESIDENCY: Immersive Didge Experience! (3rd-12th) – available for in-person & virtual
Our Didgeridoo Residency is two to five full days of didgeridoo immersion. The residency kicks off with the Didgeridoo Show (or shows), followed by progressively more advanced Didgeridoo Workshops. The residency culminates with a mini-performance, in which the students are the musical stars. Upon request, each participant also can make, paint and decorate a cardboard didgeridoo. (Cardboard tubes must be purchased separately by the school. We know an inexpensive supplier.)
The DDU Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, science, comedy, character building, anti-bullying and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. But DDU is much more than music. It’s interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages!
During the show, performer Rob Thomas plays a variety of exotic didgeridoos, demonstrating various playing styles and upbeat rhythms. He also uses a multitude of props – motivational signs, maps, globes, artwork, puppets and more – to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. The program is very participatory, and several segments involve students playing instruments, dancing or acting out a story. He adjusts the program content and delivery style according to the audience grade levels.