What is a Drum Circle?
“The Drum Circle is a huge rhythmic jam session. The ultimate goal is not precise rhythmic articulation or perfection of patterned structure, but the ability to entrain and reach the state of a group mind. It is built on cooperation in the groove, but with little reference to any classic styles. So this is a work in constant progress, a phenomenon of the new rhythm culture emerging here in the West.”
In the words of Arthur Hull: “The Community Drum Circle is a fun entry-level learning experience that is accessible to anyone who wants to participate. Drum Circle participants express themselves collectively by using a chorus of tuned drums, percussion, and vocals to create a musical song together while having a great time.”
HealthRHYTHMS
The HealthRHYTHMS program, developed by the REMO Drum Company, is centered around the group composite drumming activities or drum circles that have been an integral part of the community life of many cultures throughout the world.
The therapeutic benefits of participating in drum circles is being studied by many health professionals and they are now starting to understand and document the healthy outcomes that are evident with their patients who are drum circle participants. These are what the Remo Drum Company call the seven evidence based elements of HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming.
Rhythm Gals Drum Circles being offered at the Callahan School of Music is based upon the principles taught by Arthur Hull and Christine Stevens. Christine is the Coordinator of the HealthRHYTHMS program for the Remo Drum Company and Arthur Hull is the founder of Village Drum Circles.
7 Evidence-Based Elements
of HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming
Stress-Reduction
HealthRHYTHMS (Group Composite Drumming) strengthened the immune system by increasing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. (Bittman, Alternative Therapies, 2001) This protocol also reversed multiple components of the human stress response on the genomic level, not just reducing but reversing 19 genetic switches that turn on the stress response believed responsible in the development of common diseases. (Bittman, Medical Science Monitor, 2005)
Exercise
Drumming is an accessible exercise which burns calories and improves mood and may reduce the risk of disease. A Norwegian study of 25,000 women age 20-54 that performed leisure time exercises at least 4 hours/week experienced a 37% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. (Thune, Brenn, Lund, Gaard, 1997)