World Drumming Party gives beat to OU
By Christine Davis, Staff Writer
March 3, 2008 | 10 p.m.
Every other Tuesday of each month, an unmistakable rhythm plays here at Ohio University. Undergraduates, graduates and faculty alike gather in the Multicultural Center at Baker University Center to feel the beat of the World Drumming Party.
The World Drumming Party is new to OU, having just started fall quarter. According to Dr. Paschal Younge, the world percussion expert of OU's School of Music, the idea for the World Drumming Party originated during a conference titled “Performing Africa,” which was held last spring. A small, friendly group formed because of it.
“When teaching people about music, they’ll say they don’t want to learn theory, but when they start playing, having fun, they’ll be so surprised that they are learning a lot of concepts and patterns,” Younge said.
Younge led the group in different clapping and rhythm exercises throughout the drumming session, noting that creative performance can be approached much like child’s play.
“Games are opportunities for people to have fun and enjoy themselves, but at the same time they are learning," Younge said. "Kids can do some complex things, so why not sometimes put yourself at that level to see how they do things and how they learn things?”
As the drumming continued, people began to get more comfortable, switching rhythms and percussion instruments as they nodded and swayed to the beat. Colorful percussion instruments of all shapes and sizes vibrated from the pounding hands and moving bodies of those who came.
There were small drums slung over shoulders and cradled next to bodies, large drums in which the percussionist had to stand in order to play and beaded rattler gourds that were shaken and tapped. Others chimed in with small cymbals to create a harmonious collection.
“It’s [the drum circle] a good way to take out anger or aggression or stress because during the week we think a lot about homework and bills,” said Matthew Urminski, a junior specialized studies major at OU. “It’s just a good way to step away from all of that and just beat on a drum for an hour. It’s fun. It’s therapeutic. I get to meet new people. It’s a different cultural experience.”
The smiling faces and rhythmic hands agreed.
Younge similarly described the reasons for having the World Drumming Party. “People are so stressed, and music is one thing [that can help], but not everybody can take music classes,” he said. "I want people to have a place to relate to each other, have a place to socialize. I want people to have a place to release tension.” As the end of the hour approached, the impromptu drummers seemed revitalized and ready to return to daily activities.
The group also learned a couple of tribal dances from Younge and Sothy Khieng. Khieng, a graduate student from Cambodia, was happy to extend his knowledge of Cambodian culture to the group. “It’s a good way to learn more about drumming and different cultures,” Khieng said of the World Drumming Party, noting that he was interested in learning about the many varieties of tribal drumming.
As the sound grew, those who were passing by would peek in to see what the commotion was. Some joined, others did not. The rhythm, however, remained uninterrupted. “I want everybody to feel they can create something," Younge said. "We are all creative beings. God has given some talent to everybody, and you don’t know what you can do until you stop saying, ‘I can’t do this.’”
Younge made it clear that no one should feel too intimidated to play music. “It’s not people coming in there to become master drummers," he said. "No, people come to learn about other cultures and relax and enhance their own creativity."
No matter what level a person is at, he or she can borrow a drum.
The World Drumming Party takes place every other Tuesday of the month at the Multicultural Center in Baker. The next one is from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. March 4. All are welcome and invited to participate.
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