THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508020221
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Living in Great Bridge while teaching in a Washington public school, Carolyn Glover is accustomed to long commutes.
But until recently her work had never taken her as far as Africa.
Glover and other music teachers in the District of Columbia recently traveled to Dakar, Senegal and Gambia to bring back unusual musical instruments. She is especially delighted with a 12-string instrument called a kora, which is fashioned from a large gourd.
She enjoys pecking out melodies on her new wooden Balafon, a relative of the xylophone. Hollowed out gourds and animal skins are incorporated in the wooden instrument which produces a hollow bell-like tone.
While in Senegal, the music teachers recorded the voices of children as they sang about family and the simple things of everyday life.
Glover incorporates the recordings, the instruments and Senegalese folk rhythms into her classroom curriculum.
Her handmade African treasures include wooden statues, games, butterfly-wing art, sand paintings and tie-dyed damask items.
``They use the materials they have,'' she said.
She also brought home memories of a gracious people who refuse to beg in spite of their poverty.
``When we left the United States, we were complaining about not having enough money to spend,'' she said.
After seeing the poor condition in African schools and people living in squalor in the midst of animals, Glover says she no longer takes things for granted.
The group went to Goree Island, where they heard how young children were separated from their parents. They saw where slaves were held until they were shipped to America and other foreign countries.
``Seeing where my ancestors came from was a humbling experience for me,'' she said. ``Now when I sing the black anthem, `Lift Every Voice and Sing,' it takes on a different meaning.''
Full name: Carolyn S. Glover
Hometown: In Rowland, N.C.
Fond childhood memories: ``Traveling with my parents. Every summer we'd go to the beach. It was during the time of segregation when Afro-Americans couldn't go to Myrtle Beach (S.C.), so we went to Atlantic Beach.''
Spouse: Richard
Children: Tiffany, Richard Jr., James and Sydney
Occupation: Music teacher in the Washington, D.C., public school system
Hobbies: ``Traveling and collecting ethnic musical instruments. I also arrange music for my church choir, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in D.C.''
Last book read: ``Cry the Beloved Country''
Favorite song: ``I have a lot of them. My favorite of all is listening to my husband sing `Misty.' ''
Can't resist: ``Buying sheet music. I'll buy a sheet of music, and my husband will say, `Honey, you already have that.' ''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Being too impulsive.''
Favorite TV program: ``Now I watch reruns of `The Cosby Show' and `A Different World.' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Golden Corral and Ryan's
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Down at Sandbridge.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
by CNB