PROJECT COMPLETION

My Report

Title of Project: Drum for Fun

Abstract of Project: In studying percussion, I have noticed some of the benefits and would like to start a program teaching drum therapy to different groups. The presentation I have put together will last about 45 minutes. I will cover some of the history of drum circles, and talk about why drum circles are used in our community today. I will spend some time going over 3 different drumming techniques while playing, and for the remainder of the time, we will go through some activities together that may differ depending on the group.

Changes to the Title/abstract: I changed the title of my project from “Drum Therapy” to “Drum for Fun.” I thought this new title was a little more catchy for my project and applicable because something that every single group had in common and was apparent to me, was the fact that everyone had fun in our drum circles. Abstract stayed the same.

Project Goal: I taught various groups of humans about drum therapy and drum circles and assessed if it allows them to develop their social skills. I became a better teacher and leader and know how to apply myself to varying groups.
I achieved this by making a presentation on the history of Africa and explaining the drums that I brought with me. I talked with the children about how music is almost like a language, and one that you can understand across many different cultures. I taught some students how to make instruments with supplies they have in their homes so that they can keep playing music and taught them some rhythm games and activities. After the session was over, I would have a debriefing for a few minutes to talk to the group about what they felt and experienced.

Project Outcomes: My project is now complete and my outcomes were met. I wanted to teach music to people in a new and interesting way and I wanted to build communication skills with different groups to see how they recieved working in a group and applying information immediately. I first learned about drum circles by attending events in and out of Utah and researched on the internet more about what I wanted to teach. I practiced with safe environments first with other students and colleagues. Once I felt I had my project nailed down and felt comfortable, I went out into the community here in Cedar City, but also in St. George, and many places near and around Salt Lake City. By teaching many different groups, I had many different variables and many different outcomes. Teaching an elementary school was much different than teaching a special needs group, or teaching families at the zoo.

Project Deliverables: At the end of this process, I wanted to have made a video compilation of my journey through all the different groups. I also wanted to keep a project video blog of my thoughts after each different group and assess how the groups received the music.
My deliverables weren’t quite the same because I didn’t think about it beforehand, but many places that I taught and played, I wasn’t allowed to take videos. I instead took a lot of pictures and instead of video blogging, I put each experience and its picture onto my website to show what that experience was like. I do have a couple of videos that I could put onto my website, but I want to have a cohesive unified feeling on my blog. I also took a few voice recordings of people’s responses to the drum circle and want to type those up onto the blog as well.
Website Blog/Deliverables: http://marissajenellbrown.wixsite.com/drumforfun/blog

Other Details: I worked so hard on this project for many years while being at SUU. I would love to apply for a grant to get some of my own drums so that I can continue going around and doing these Drum Circles now that I have made so many connections. I won’t be able to continue using SUU’s drums when I graduate, so I would love to find a way to purchase what I need in order to keep spreading this new way of music and communication! I have done a lot of research and found a lot of packages that help you get started as a drum circle facilitator.