Drop that beat, noisemaker! Local drumming workshop to be offered at local library

By Quinn Fisher

Music has been an intricate part of civilization for well over a millennium. Music has been used to share stories, convey ideas, bring together different cultures and, relatively recently, therapy and healing from trauma. Once a month, local Whitecourt resident Leah Disney guides a music group she refers to as a drumming circle. There is one such session being held at the Whitecourt and District Library on February 11, 2020 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For those who cannot make it, alternative dates are March 10, April 7, May 5, and June 2.

Disney said there are also children centric drumming sessions held at various schools and public festivals like Family day and Family Fun Fest at Blueridge hosted by Woodlands County. At present, there is no recurring children’s circle regularly held. The recommended age she suggested was 14 and up. There is a cost associated with participating in the drum circle which is $10 with drums and various other percussive instruments provided or alternatively, $5 if you bring your own drum. People can pre- register by calling the library at 780-778-2900. Group sizes typically vary from 10 to 20 people and Disney says the best part of drumming is that no prior musical experience is required.

Disney elaborated on the many benefits that drumming provides by saying, “Scientists have done different studies showing the positive aspects music has on our bodies like, for example, boosting our immune system, and even studies that have shown how it affects your white blood cell count and immunity to disease. So, there is certainly science backing these claims. I also think it’s good for stress relief. Drumming is used for a lot of therapies to express deep-rooted feelings and serves as an alternative outlet to the more traditional talk therapy aka psychotherapy. It allows a person to release emotions that may be built up inside through your hands and is channeled onto the drum.” 

Disney described the experience by saying, “Something that a person can expect to feel when they arrive is a real sense of community and being part of a group. There is excitement when you are making music, there is something pleasant happening so even though there are say, 10 people all drumming away and creating sound, together it becomes a song and is quite pleasing. I think there is just a lot of excitement around that. People can come as they are and expect to have a lot of fun and make music with health benefits happening in the background. That is what drumming does for us and that’s what community music does for us.”

Disney thinks everyone can benefit from drumming. She says it’s great for those who are new to the community and are looking to meet people. It brings together like-minded individuals in a relaxed and safe environment free of judgment and expectation. Disney thinks the drumming circle provides a live music experience in people’s lives. She explained this by saying, “A lot of our music today is just a listening experience instead of a creation experience. With drumming, you don’t have to consider yourself musical or know how to drum to participate. I have enough instruments for a person to switch out throughout the evening with wood bass, conga style, First Nation style, etc. I also have percussion instruments like wood blocks, bells, and tambourines. So, really, there is something for everyone.”

In the future Disney hopes to incorporate different themed music nights like music centered around the Beatles, for instance, with singing being completely optional, of course.