Group Drumming as Conduit to Enhanced Self and Community Relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this column is to promote the use of group drumming as an important access point to improved self and community relationships that naturally develops the competencies of student self-awareness and social awareness in the general music classroom. Group drumming is a far-reaching activity with the capacity to improve and transform many of the traumatic life experiences endured by our students. The promise of group drumming to enhance individual well-being while simultaneously developing an inclusive community environment is a readily available tool within reach of almost every general music teacher. The approach can be used to enhance self-awareness in the moment, reduce anxiety, and provide access to successful experiences for students. Group drumming exposes participants to new ways of understanding themselves and others around them while creating important entry points to the SEL (social and emotional learning) competencies of both social awareness and self-awareness.