Date : 1 June 2009
01 June 2009
Novel drumming circle injects fun, fosters social bonds
By Ben Nadarajan
THE sudden sound of drumming awakens the usually quiet and tranquil neighbourhood of Boon Keng.
As the rhythm of the drum beats grows in intensity, curious residents make their way to a tucked-away corner of the estate, just outside the Kallang Community Club.
Some gather around to watch, while the more adventurous go forward to the circles of stools, each with a musical instrument placed upon it.
Picking up the percussion instruments, they begin adding their own beats to the rest of the group.
The sound, at first, is a bit of a mish mash, but it does not take long for the players to get into the groove.
The rhythmic beating of the drums is so catchy that a few seniors start to dance.
Some players stick to their favourite instruments throughout the hour- long jamming session, while others try out some of the 50 instruments, including African and Latin American drums.
The group at the Kallang CC has gradually grown in the two years it has been around, adding both instruments and players along the way. Now, at every Saturday evening session, there are about 50 people joining this Community Drumming Circle.
Most are from the nearby estates but there are also some who come from Marine Parade, West Coast and Bukit Timah. Many are in their senior years but there are also young families and some in wheelchairs.
Kallang CC chairman Soh Geok Kee, who learnt of such drumming circles in the United States and introduced it here, said the group fosters social bonding. 'It doesn't matter what age, language, culture, race or religion you are from...Everyone can play. It makes everyone feel equal.'
While newcomers are usually shy and reluctant to join in, Ms Soh said many are hooked once they try. 'We tell them anyone can play. Most of us have no musical background.'
Some members also like to improvise. One man has made bracelets lined with bells, which he wears while drumming.
Mr Tom Bay, the CC's vice-chairman and a facilitator at these sessions, said drumming is a good way to unwind. Playing African drums is known to be good for those with arthritis or osteoporosis, he added.
Mr Bay, 51, usually takes his seat among the drummers. Sometimes he goes to the centre to liven things up.
When he gyrates downwards to the ground, the drum beats soften accordingly, then turn loud as he rises.
The organisers also get help from several professional musicians who volunteer to join the circle.
Full-time percussionist Bryan Lucas, 31, gets a thrill from seeing the elderly folks enjoy themselves. 'There is this auntie who keeps shaking and she can go on non-stop through the whole session. It's really fun to see people enjoy their music so much.'
Mr Rikki Ng, 58, never got a chance to learn music when he was young and took up drumming only in 2005. 'It's like a family here...It's good fun,' he said.
Market research consultant Yvonne Groleau takes her twins, aged two, to the circle to get them used to rhythms and musical instruments. 'We hope being in a fun environment with people from different races and ages will teach them to be friendly to people from all walks of life,' she said.
Retiree Hia Te Yang, 68, who has been with the group from the start, said it has helped him make new friends around the estate. He now often meets them for dinner.
Mr Hia has never studied music and now wants to try out all the instruments. 'I want to try everything...I'm making up for lost time,' he said.
It has also given him a sense of pride. 'I even get to perform for ministers now,' he said.
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Bonding Through Music
THE concept of community drumming circles is said to have started in the United States. The pioneer of the movement is widely considered to be percussionist Arthur Hull, who describes it as the use of a rhythm-based event to foster unity.
People of differing levels of musical ability can join in and all come together to make music and, at the same time, build a sense of community and belonging. In such circles, members also have to learn how to cooperate and collaborate with one another.
In previous interviews, Mr Hull, who has written several books on the topic, said the quality of the music produced in these circles is 'based less on the quality of the expertise of the players, and more on the quality of their relationship with one another'.
The Kallang Community Club runs a community drumming circle every Saturday from 5.30pm. The group also performs at events such as constituency dinners to mark National Day and the pre-parade segment for Chingay. The organisers hope to play at other parts of the country every few months.
BEN NADARAJAN
(With thanks to SPH - StraitsTimes.com)
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