Funded Nov 5, 2018Our Rhythm & Blues project has been so successful! The first line of effort has been students enrolled in the R&B elective - about 40 over three grading periods. They have taped and reinforced the garbage cans, they have sanded the Taiko bachi sticks until they are sm-o-o-o-th! On top of that, they have learned the drumming routines.
The highlight to date was a Taiko performance at a school assembly last month. At our school we have quite a few students with sound sensitivity issues, so we were concerned about the effect of 13 Taiko drums in a vibrant acoustic gymnasium. We found a way to have them play, though, by performing outside the gym, as students entered. The students loved it, and even requested that we do it again. I think we will plan it for our next assembly - which will include the last batch of R&B students for the year.
The extended effect of the Taiko project has included the younger students. Every grade level has experienced drumming for themselves. The style is different than western drumming: arms are straight and powerful, with big movements. A drummer must take a stance in front of the drum, very dramatically. We learned a piece that involved counting in Japanese and chanting Japanese syllables in the traditional rote learning style of Taiko drumming.
It has been a joy to see the students open up to another culture, develop a new skill, and learn to work together as a team to create power and beauty through drumming. It has been SO FUN! Thank you for supporting our efforts.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Hansen