Students experience beat of different drum

Filling the Vincent Massey High School library with the beat of pounding drums, band students had a taste of Asia Thursday with a visit from the drum group Hinode Taiko.

Thrilled at having the opportunity to introduce students to a different style of music, Vincent Massey band director Kelsey Demond said the day proved to be a fun activity for students.

"They’ve (Hinode Taiko) never been to Brandon, so I thought this would be a great opportunity," Demond said.

Travelling from Winnipeg, Hinode Taiko (Rising Sun Drums) led by Peggy Emmond and Jim Fedorowich were on hand to teach the students the art of Taiko Japanese drumming.

A group of band students will be visiting Japan in May, and Demond wanted to introduce the class to the different styles of Japanese music prior to their trip.

The drum offered the chance for students to see what other performers practice in different cultures, she said.

The sheer thrill of watching Emmond and Fedorowich perform and teach proved to be an incredibly engaging experience for the students, Demond said.

"The kids are really excited about it," Demond said.

Sharing the music with youth is exciting, as it offers the opportunity to share something she loves with students that they may have never been exposed to, Emmond said.

"It’s an introduction and maybe an inspiration," Emmond said. "It’s fun and it’s energetic … it’s a really bubble of good stuff."

While it can be difficult to compact the art of Taiko into a 55-minute session, Emmond said, they distill the practice down to its essential elements so it’s easy for the kids to understand.

"Once you try it, you’re smitten," Emmond said.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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