"Springbank Drumming"

According to Remo Belli, the Founder and CEO of Remo, Inc.,

"It's time to stop thinking of the drum as just a musical instrument. Start thinking of the drum as a recreational tool for every family, a wellness tool for every retiree, and an educational tool for every classroom."

 

Springbank Arts World Drumming - Bio

As a classically trained musician, and after 20 or so years of mainly Western musical approaches, Guenevere never could have envisaged what was in store for her musical development until she discovered the African music classes with Alfred Ladzekpo at Cal Arts! Cal Arts, where she received her Masters of Fine Arts degree, is a breeding ground of fantastic “world” musicians where students  are immersed in African traditional music, Balinese Gamelan, Persian, Indian Hindustani and Karnataka music,  studying and performing with some of the planets most innovative jazz musicians, composers, and  improvisers.

One of the ways Guenevere was influenced on her musical path was by Alfred Ladzekpo, a Master Drummer from Ghana, allowing Guenevere the privilege of studying privately with him, as well as her being a part of the African Drumming ensemble, and performing dance with the African Dance groups at Cal Arts. What a life changing experience, and mostly, her new awakened sense of beat, rhythm, sound, and movement that came with the study, changed her approach to music from that time onward. A new way and world of improvisation, and a new freedom in music was found after the gift of drumming and dance had been passed her way.

 

Classes Offered

The Healing Drum BEGINNING FEBRUARY 2010

1. All ages welcome, no experience needed. Instruments provided to use during class.
2. Explore the centuries old practice of drumming together in harmony. Learning basic African patterns and beats, we will explore the ever changing evolving life force of a drum circle. Scientific research on the healing effects of drumming has proven that participating in drum circles increases the body’s defences against disease, by increasing the macrophage cells in the body.  Depression, anxiety, and disease can all be dissipated through the powerful effects of drumming.
3. Guenevere Milne’s education at the Graduate level included study and performance of West African Drumming and Dance, particularly focusing on Ghanaian African heritage.  Through her love of Yoga, and music, the healing effects of drumming and movement come together as a healing art medium at Springbank Arts.

Hands On Drums and Dance  BEGINNING FEBRUARY  2010

1. Focus on Young People age 8-18, but all ages welcome, no experience needed. Instruments provided to use during class.
2. Hands on playing experience of African patterns and beats, explore the traditional music of Ghana. Dance goes hand in hand with music in Africa, so we will be exploring some dance and movement as well as drumming in this class.  We will be developing our “rhythmic sensibilities”, finding our own inner beat, our own inner pulse, inner song and dance through the communal experience of learning and playing drums.  For those already studying music and/ or dance, the drumming increases your natural rhythm to apply to any and all instruments or styles of both genres.  A great tool for all musicians, a great experience for all people.

COMMON UNITY at Springbank  Arts  BEGINNING OCTOBER 2010

1. A monthly drum circle , arts and healing bazaar
2. Join us all at Springbank Arts the 1st Saturday of the month. Bring  your kids, family, friends, and  your drums  and enjoy the communal activities.  We will set up a DRUM CIRCLE outside at Springbank Arts, to enjoy the bliss of drumming together! !  As we grow,  we plan on holding other activities  at COMMON  UNITY, so get ready  for some fun, laughter, healing, art, massage, singing, chanting, who knows what might be happening in the future!  Please let us know if you have something to offer at any of our events. Anyone interested in getting involved, in the subjects of:  arts, crafts, healing, massage, organic enthusiast, call and talk to Guenevere! We welcome all enquiries.
3. Instruments will be provided on a first come first serve basis. If you have any hand drums, floor drums, or any other percussion instruments, please bring them along! The more the merrier!
4. Bring water, and a snack.
5. COMMON UNITY at Springbank Drum Circle is run as a donation only event to fund instrument upkeep, event promotions and community outreach.

 

Valuable Drumming Information

HEALING DRUMS and the medical facts

(Group Drumming Boosts Cancer-Killer Cells in Study)

CARLSBAD, Calif.—A groundbreaking study due to be published in the January 2001 issue of Alternative Therapies links a specific type of group drum playing, known as Composite drumming, with an increase in Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, one of the mechanisms through which the body combats cancer and viral illnesses. These findings reinforce the theory of a mind-body connection that influences the immune system, and may point the way to reversing the “Classic Stress Response” which depresses immune system function. Led by Barry Bittman, MD, the research team tested a variety of different group drumming protocols and non-drumming control groups made up of healthy adults at the Meadville, PA-based Mind-Body Wellness Center. In their findings, titled Composite Effects of Group Drumming Music Therapy on Modulation of Neuroendocrine-Immune Parameters in Normal Subjects, they found that one group drumming method in particular correlated with increases in NK cell activity, Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK) cell activity and chemical changes that together signal a strengthening of the body’s natural immune response and a direct connection between the external senses and the natural immune system.

WHAT IS A DRUM CIRCLE

A drum circle is any group of people playing (usually) hand-drums and percussion in a circle. They are distinct from a drumming group or troupe in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance. They can range in size from a handful of players to circles with thousands of participants.
In 1991, during testimony before the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart stated:
Typically, people gather to drum in drum "circles" with others from the surrounding community. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. It includes people of all ages. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and themselves. To form a group consciousness. To entrain and resonate. By entrainment, I mean that a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together.

MARRIAGE OF DRUMMING AND DANCE

In African music, rhythm plays the most important role, through the drums, shekeres, bells, and other percussion instruments.
Vocal usage in the music is often either accompinamental during the drumming and dance, chanting and repetitive phrases,or a song may be  sung unaccompanied between drumming pieces.  Unison(1 sound) and simple harmonic structure is the main approach to the song aspect, as the song is usually telling stories, or spiritual ideology. The percussionists are similar to the Orchestra in Western Music, with the lead drummer being the conductor, and the others, the woodwind, brass and string sections. The drumming is the driving force or focus to the intricate rhythm and the layers of the music.

Dancing in African culture is much more prevalent than in Western countries, as children in Africa are born dancing, as practically an extension of themselves. It is a form of communication, and expression.  The dancing is takes on the form of an extension of the drumming, with the movement reflecting the powerful pulses and beats in the music. You will rarely see African music without some accompanying dance. A marriage made in heaven!

BENEFITS OF CHILDREN DRUMMING

Your childrens health is everything! The benefits to children who engage in rhythm are immense. From social, educational & coping skills, to physical health & personal & group development. Drumming is an excellent way for children to learn self-awareness, listening skills, coordination of breath and movement, cooperation and patience. It’s a very healthy way for them to develop. It is also a valuable channel for intense emotions and teaches containment of strong feelings and impulses that would otherwise become disruptive and destructive. For example if children have low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, defiant behavior, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder or simply an abundance of energy, drumming therapy can be a valuable aid to learning and growth. Drumming is also a wonderfully successful approach to working with kids who have trouble focusing and connecting with others in a satisfying way. Often, these kids have had so much failure in their lives that they come to identify themselves as being "no good." A cycle of negative self-reinforcement occurs, often resulting in low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, anger problems and acting out.The personal power awakened by drumming helps to rebuild a sense of efficacy and self worth.The repetitive rhythm has a physiologically calming effect.It also builds valuable skills for processing and communicating information, and containing or channeling intense emotions and impulses. Assistance with coping skills Ability to focus inward as well as outward Develop self-awareness and self-esteem Mastery of breath and movement Ability to stay "on task" Improve listening skills Increase Frustration Tolerance Channel aggressive/destructive impulses into creative and positive activity Develop self-control, patience and cooperation

AFRICAN DRUMMING AS A TOOL FOR ALL MUSICIANS

The study and practice of any instrument is a valuable life enhancing tool, and gives the practitioner a boost in self esteem, and gratification. When one is studying predominantly western classical music, the rhythmic training is based on classical music history, European based patterns, and syncopations. When one is exposed to music from other cultures ones musical understanding and appreciation grows immensely. Because African music is mainly rhythm based, the intricacies and complexities are insurmountable, and incomparable in Western music.  Even popular music owes its birth to African music, as it was the African descendants taken to America that brought their music with them.  From that grew the blues, soul, pop, and rock and roll genres we are all familiar with today.