The Contemporary Music Project

Percussion Performance, Lessons, and Publications of the Middle East, the Americas, and the World

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  • The Chicago Arabic Music Ensemble
  • Middle Eastern Dance and Drum Ensembles
  • Raices Gitanas Flamenco Ensemble
  • Lessons/Student Ensembles
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You Found Us!

Founded by Donald Skoog, Contemporary Music Project is a community exploring rhythm, movement, drumming and dance.

As much a social as academic endeavor, we present programs, publish books and music, and host classes in our independent school, located just outside of Chicago in Oak Park, IL.

From beginner, intermediate to expert, we are patient, gentle and enthusiastic, helping each other inform and deepen our emersion in the world of drum and dance through study, performance and travel.


Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Irish drumming

Our focuses in recent decades include Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Irish drumming and dance traditions. 

Among others, we are informed by James Dutton, Vida Chenoweth, Gordon Stout, Karl Husa, Roberto Vizcaino, José Eladio, Rich Gajate Garcia, and Alejandro Carvajal.

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Ensembles

Chicago Arabic Music Ensemble

Chicago Arabic Music Ensemble
Amro Helmy, oud/vocals
Majed Abu Ajamia, qanun/vocals
Kim Fleuchaus, nay/flute
Hannah Vis, cello
Don Skoog, percussion

Middle Eastern Dance Performance

Middle Eastern Dance Performance
Explore the connections between dance and music while discussing the people and traditions of the Middle East.

Raices Gitanas Flamenco Ensemble

Raices Gitanas Flamenco Ensemble
Vanesa Roimicher—dance
Thomas Kimball—guitar and vocals
Hector Salcedo—bass
Don Skoog—percussion

Student Ensembles

Percussion Ensemble Performing
Percussion Ensemble Performance

CMP offers ongoing classes and ensembles in Latin percussion, Cuban batá drumming, and Middle Eastern percussion. We have classes for drummers at all levels from beginner through advanced. 

Percussion Lessons

Tarek with a drum
Tarek with a drum

If you don’t live in the Chicago area, we also conduct private lessons and ensembles over Zoom and FaceTime!

Curious?

If you’re still reading, you should probably drop us a line.

© 2021 The Contemporary Music Project