Story and Video: John Marshall High School Receives Donation of Authentic African Drums

GLEN DALE -- John Marshall High School’s music program was gifted authentic handmade African drums on Thursday.

The drums were donated by Wheeling resident John Faini, son of the late Phil Faini, who worked as a percussion instructor at West Virginia University and took trips to Africa in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 

Phil Faini died June 7, 2023. He was 91 years old.

Faini said the drums came from his father’s personal collection and had been in storage at his home for more than 50 years. His father used to play the drums in a percussion ensemble that traveled across West Virginia to hold concerts at high schools.

Faini said when he was trying to find a place to donate the drums, he learned about JM’s percussion program. After talking with the director, Tracey Filben, he decided the school would be a good fit.

On Thursday, Faini not only presented the drums to a group of music students, but also taught them a traditional African song, as played by the Baganda Tribe, titled the “Nankasa Orchestra.” It was a song passed down to him from his father. He showed the students how to strike the drums with their hands properly and the rhythms for each drum for the song.

The students picked up what he was teaching them quickly and soon they were playing the drums like they had always had them at the school. Their success brought a big smile to Faini’s face as he stood back at one point and just listened to the students play.

“Dad studied East African music. Back in 1968 and 1971 he traveled to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. He studied their music. He had a black reel-to-reel tape player and he would record it and he would play it back for the tribesmen, and they would say, ‘That’s the black box that never forgets,'” Faini said before his session with the students.

“He studied the music and brought it back to West Virginia University. He started a world music program there. He had his own personal collection, and we’re cleaning out his attic and some of these drums have been there for 50 years. So, I cleaned them all up and dusted them off and looked for a good home for them.”

The donation included two Bakisimba drums, two Empunyi drums, one Engalabi drum, one Nankasa drum, three Ensaai, or maraca-like instruments, and Amadinda, or xylophone bars.

The drums were made by Yekoyakazi Ssonka of the Baganda Tribe of Uganda. Most of the drums are made of wood and cow skins. One drum is made of wood and lizard skin. 

“Dad taught me those rhythms from the Ugandan tribe, and I’m going to teach those rhythms to the students today, to keep it going just like the African tribesmen would learn and pass it on,” he said. “He would be pleased we’re giving these drums to John Marshall.”

Faini is originally from Morgantown, but has lived in Wheeling since 1989. He is an engineer by trade, but enjoys playing the drums in various bands in the Ohio Valley and Pittsburgh.

Faini said his father eventually became dean of the WVU Creative Arts Center.

“He had a nice world music program. He was a talented man,” he noted.

Filben said it was a “huge honor” to receive the drums.

“It was a big surprise when Mr. Faini reached out to us because it’s not something that happens regularly or ever that you get a donation of authentic world instruments,” she said. “But it’s certainly something we will incorporate into our percussion program. So, we’re just really excited to learn from him today and have him as a resource. And we’re so grateful for the generosity that he has bestowed upon us.”

Following his teaching session, Faini said he enjoyed seeing the students learn the rhythms on the drums. He noted they were “quick studies.”

“My father would have enjoyed that because he took his percussion ensemble around to many high schools in the state,” he said. “He enjoyed showing the kids different types of music and world music. That’s what was going in my mind watching these kids play today. It was great.”