Table Of ContentTransforming Lives . . . Building Community
through World Music Drumming
Following are stories and comments from teachers who are teaching
World Music Drumming. Feel free to use excerpts and attribute the
stories to their authors by name and location (not e-mail address).
Will Schmid
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In a message dated 10/7/06 10:29:44 AM,
shoelaces!) began to echo Jerry. We teachers and aides applaud and give high
fives and on we go. Jerry is so pleased with himself that we have to stop and
clap for him and he laughs out loud.
So on to the drums. I first got them out and a couple of kids wouldn't touch them
and the rest just wanted to bang on them. So we worked that through and let the
kids each explore them in their own way. From two weeks ago, we have gone
from the aides getting the drums to the kids getting their own and carrying them
really well and carefully. They sit like professionals (wish I could get my other
classes to sit as well and consistently without attitude that soon!). We have
gone from just making noise and saying each name to playing and saying their
own name using both hands at once to, yesterday, Jerry got his arms to move
independently and drummed his two syllable name Jer-ry with right-left. The
cheering was spontaneous and he was SO happy. Jordan, who has made no
sound this year, started yesterday to parrot a lot of the speech within the class as
we drummed names and that guy is keeping a perfect beat on all the rhymes we
do. The beat is all the same on all of them, but he keeps it right on!!!! Jerry is
more interested in drumming the word rhythm so we have COMPLEMENTARY
drumming going on! Summer, wheelchair bound and completely
noncommunicative, responds more and more by waving her hands during the
drumming.
I cannot tell you appropriately in email or wouldn't be able to in person, what is
going on here. I just know that these kids are responding to the drumming, to the
spirit of it all, to the community of it all, to the sounds and rhythms, to the success
building on success, to the physical movement, to the aural/oral teaching
methods, to everything! They are more animated in music than in other areas at
school. They are so obviously excited when I say it is time to get the drums so
they know they are going to have a good experience. I am loving it! And I am
flying by the seat of my pants just "reading" the kids and what they are
responding to and expanding from there. Then, when I do some research or am
looking through special needs learners literature, I am finding more that we can
do to bring them out. It is truly incredible!
Anyway, thanks again for the workshops and all you do with/for this curriculum.
It is paying dividends in ways we will never be able to know or
comprehend.
Mary Dietz, Great Falls, MT
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In a message dated 12/15/06 8:23:14 PM,
at the open house for the new addition to our school, we performed
Peace with the choir for Veteran's Day and used the 6/8 pattern along
with a selection called Welcome One and Welcome All for the opening of
the choir concert. It worked out great! Had the drums across the front
of the stage. We ended the Christmas choir concert with Peace -
beautiful.
The most rewarding part so far has been in creating ensembles, taping
them and having the students assess their own playing. We have a small
8th grade semester general music class, so I have had more time with
them. Two groups came up with such great original ensembles, that I had
them be the leaders, and teach the class how to play their creations. One
girl, who is pretty quiet did such a great job, showing the patterns to her
classmates - you would have thought she was at the workshop this
summer! The other group had a tough time teaching their ensemble, but
the class finally got it & it sounded pretty cool! Also found some fun CD's
to accompany the ensembles - the 6th & 7th graders like that.
Our annual holiday talent show is next week - recruited a group of
teachers, and other staff members for an adult ensemble - we are
performing "Rock-It" & Jamaican Jingle Bells!
Nancy Von Arx, Holmen, WI
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In a message dated 12/15/06 7:34:22 PM,
In a message dated 12/16/06 10:17:04 AM,
In a message dated 12/18/06 8:32:38 AM,
They are in many ways very much like Jr. High. Most of them are 9th and
10th graders. They LOVE drumming!
I think of you often. I use the curriculum so much. Our school is "Global
Community High School". We have some kids who can "get down" on
these drums!!! I am actually taking lessons from a hall monitor from Haiti.
He is awesome.
Love and peace to you,
Jan Wickham, NV
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In a message dated 1/16/07 2:17:55 PM,
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In a message dated 2/16/07 10:15:36 PM,
In a message dated 9/18/06 11:37:53 AM, RachNewell writes:
I did your Amazing Grace at a funeral for a friend's husband last weekend
and it was unbelievable. (Used contra bass bars and chimes, too.)
Rachel Newell, Leesburg, VA
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In a message dated 9/18/06 11:45:48 AM,
I have a Life Skills music class this year – a great bunch of kids who are
essentially non-verbal with two in diapers. So what do we do – drum of course!!
We have four kids and three aides and everyone’s busy all the time. They have
made great strides in the three weeks we’ve been together. Today, the child we
couldn’t get off of the floor and into a chair on the first day of class, played the
drum unassisted for the first time. In the scheme of life it was pretty humbling.
Pat Bauer, North Allegheny, PA
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In a message dated 9/18/06 6:37:48 PM,
district office. My principal was very receptive to the idea, and made it a
priority with the district. She is really seeing how the program is impacting
and improving the learning of our students, so THANK YOU for introducing
and continuing this program!
Maureen McCoy
Naperville, IL
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In a message dated 9/25/06 10:24:35 AM,
