Telephone: 0117 952 5273 or email: drum@humdrumstrum.co.uk

Rhythm is everything

Rhythm is in all of us and its joy as a tool for discovery and development is best explored and nutured at a young age. Using rhythm based activities we create a non-competitive inclusive environment in which all children can thrive.

'One day drumming extravaganza' playshops

Utilise HumDrumStrum for a specific school project or feature during an arts or cultural week. One-off playshops can be custom built for half days, full days or after school activities and clubs.

To download our 'one day drumming extravaganza' leaflet click here

Term projects

Using our rhythm modules as a foundation, we can tailor a number of sessions on a weekly basis, across single or multiple terms. This can culminate in a performance during school time or as an evening event for the parents/carers.

To download our schools brouchure click here

Teacher training

We can also run in-service training and empowerment/team building sessions for all teachers. Learn and develop drumming and percussion techniques to complement and enhance existing teaching skills.

A typical day with your school.
Morning assembly will have a slot showcasing the work that HumDrumStrum will provide for the whole school. We will discuss the history and evolution of drums and communication from 40,000 years ago to the modern day. We will show and play examples of percussion instruments from around the world. The whole school, including teachers, will also join in a ‘rhythm based event’ showing how we can all connect and perform together no matter what age or ability.

How many children can be part of the experience.
We would normally have 4 playshops during the day each lasting for about 3/4 hour, 3 before lunch and one after lunch. We would then showcase the days work to parents, teachers and other school children who may not have joined in, from about 2.45 p.m. onwards. If no performance was to be scheduled then we could have 5 playshops through the whole day. We can cater for over 140 children in one day each of them being able to play something in the end of the day performance.

Typical Playshop Scenarios
The playshop with the younger children at Key Stage 1 will explore ‘Soundscapes’ using many weird and wonderful instruments from around the world. The children will be shown the basics of dynamics in music and begin to interpret pictures using sound effects, atmosphere, emotion and melody.

Years 3 and 4 will be introduced to the beginnings of rhythm and multi-part patterns using ‘Soundshapes’ and ‘Boomwhackers’. These specifically developed instruments also help children to learn about pitch and melody. This playshop also explains the importance of teambuilding and the contribution of the individual to the whole group.

Due to their age and ability Years 5 and 6 have the serious task of learning how to play some African Djembes, Middle-Eastern Daraboukas and South American Tobanos. They will listen to some world music from Native North America, South America, India and Africa and the class will play some patterns influenced from these regions.

The day will culminate in a final performance where all the children in each class will show the teachers and invited parents what they have learned during the day. To top it all the whole school will perform a piece together having learned specific individual parts that will weave together, combining soundscape, melody and rhythm.

There will be a huge rapturous standing ovation, everyone would have had a great day filled with fun, excitement, new skills and new knowledge.

All of our facilitators have enhanced CRB certificates.

To view feedback and photos from some of the schools we have worked with please click here

Bristol Evening Post - June 2004 (Schools)

Please contact us for further information

Telephone: 0117 952 5273 or email: drum@humdrumstrum.co.uk