The first pilot, with mentally challenged adults from Pathways to Independence, focused on involving attendees in various communications between each other and to the group, using drum rhythms, role-playing and drawing attention to the physical actions of banging a drum while observing other's reactions.

The second pilot was with Alternatives for Women, which services women who have experienced trauma from a violent relationship. At the start each attendee made her own drum from materials supplied as part of the course, and subsequently communicated through the drum rhythms, breaking into the drumming with facilitated imagery, story-telling and self-esteem enhancement.

Drumming Concept

"Music therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort -- between demoralization and dignity."
Barbara Crow, Past-president of the National Association for Music Therapy.

Kathleen Foster-Morgan, Clinical Psychotherapist, and Ann McClurg, Drum Facilitator and founding member of the County drumming group Anahata, have explored the creative drumming process as a therapeutic model. The two pilot groups produced the following experiential results:

• Improved self esteem of attendees in both pilots
• Greater awareness of the grief process
• Anger can be vented in a safe environment
• Improved recognition of personal space
• Attendees visibly expressed joy and contentment
• Communication and contact greatly improved

The potential for this type of program is substantial, and could be extremely helpful for teens, adults, seniors, and critical illness such as cancer.

The rhythms, sounds and physical activity of Drumming can create physical 'feeling'. Each generation has developed its own music and rhythms, some very generation-specific. Few of us do not relate to music in some way, and as a result music provides a safe projection tool from which to process past losses. Tunes often recall strong memories; the connection with our past to a "fond memory" can assist in identifying and working out a way to deal with a "bad memory". However, we are not all naturally gifted with complex musical ability, therefore the use of a simple drum and basic rhythms is accessible to most people, and the combination of physical action and the resulting sounds release tensions and stress. The often un-orchestrated shift from isolated drumming to a unified, cohesive rhythm pattern brings smiles and tears to drummer's faces.