By Kiara Catanzaro
Staff Writer
Students from all different musical backgrounds will be playing to the beat of their own drums in a new course next semester.
Moses Howden, an adjunct faculty member, said he is excited to introduce a new music course that will begin spring semester at St. Bonaventure.
The course, called “Drum Circle,” will offer students the opportunity to engage in a unique musical style. A drum circle is an interactive community where groups of people play various hand drums. The course (MU104-01) is offered by the music program, and it will be held every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. during the spring semester.
There is a distinction between drum circle and percussion ensemble, another music course held at St. Bonaventure, according to Howden.
“Although a course titled ‘Percussion Ensemble’ has existed for a number of years where students play percussion instruments and read music, the new course ‘Drum Circle’ is intended to appeal to musicians and non-musicians alike,” Howden said.
A drum circle focuses on communicating through the rhythm of music playing within the group. There isn’t a conductor leading the ensemble, Howden said. Instead, the group listens to the other drummers to fuse their sound together.
“In a Drum Circle, a variety of percussion instruments are played while the players play in a circle that unifies them,” Howden said. “The players are tuned-in to one another and communicate through rhythm only. There are no spoken instructions while each beat pattern is played.”
The instruments in the course are not limited to drums, however. Howden said the use of other instruments adds variety to the sound that is played by the musicians.
“A facilitator leads the group through the process by means of a series of rhythm cues or physical gestures,” Howden said. “Various beats are played by instruments ranging from metal shakers, cow bells, Ago-go bells, African hand drums, and Conga Drums. There is no written music to read.”
The intention of a drum circle is to enjoy sounds and rhythm without the stress of reading music, following a specific beat or playing repetitive music. This course allows students to show musical talent through their musical improvisation skills in addition to being a group to highlight the community aspect of a drum circle, Howden said.
“The players feel a beat and others join in to create an enhanced beat, and sometimes players may feel inspired to increase their playing during the beat to create a solo over the beat pattern,” Howden said. “No soloing is required. However, if a player feels the spirit move him or her during group beat pattern, he or she may play an increased rhythm and solo over the group beat pattern.”
Students learn beneficial abilities through participating in a drum circle, including listening and communication skills. Drum circles are frequently used in numerous settings to serve individual purposes, including therapy and training proficiencies.
“Drums circles are fun, and they can enhance a player’s listening abilities and communications skills,” Howden said. “Drum circles are used in corporate training, nursing homes, educational settings and community settings for physical therapy and music therapy, just to name a few examples.”
