Drumbeat-Heartbeat

Methods for Achieving Objectives

Objective 1

This will be begun at the level of the professionals who will eventually implement the fieldwork. The Artistic Directors will work with selected percussionists/teachers at the outset of the development period, to discuss theories of collaboration and methods of effectively bringing it about. These will centre around the concepts of encourage participants to respond to a stimulus within their own cultural tradition, rather than try to imitate the stimulus.

 Practical work with a core team of leaders will be followed by a detailed formulation of methodology, which will, in turn, be cascaded to a wider body of leaders and participants, with flexibility to allow modification for local feedback. If these principles form a basis on which all work takes place, sustainable local developments are possible; by teaching the art and method of collaboration, we will not dictate the collaborations being brought about, but rather, enable them to be chosen by those who will continue them. There is a saying; “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; if you teach him to fish, you feed him for life.” Drumbeat sees itself as a fishing teacher not as a fishmonger. 

Objective 2

 This will be a natural development if objective 1 is met successfully. The local groups will sustain the work begun in the initial process. To ensure this, careful allocation of workshop leaders, not for their stylistic input, but for the suitability of their collaboration skills, is important. The confidence of local groups will be won by their early involvement in the planning process for their particular area, and they will be encouraged to view the project from point of local distinctiveness; area X will be different from area Y, because of the communities and interest groups who live there; hence, the music which they produce should, rightfully be different, though related. This is a key element of policy; Drumbeat will not fall into the ‘melting-pot’ trap, crating bland replicas of the same work all over the country, but carefully research its targets, via teachers and practitioners on the ground. 

Objective 3

Initial work is aimed at developing programmes with percussion as a major component. Subsequent development of Drumbeat will also entail creative combinations of different art forms and the promotion of cross-cultural arts.