An Education in Beatwell with Baltimore Lab

Thinking back on your childhood, which communities had the biggest impact on you? 

Your family of course, and maybe a group of friends or a sports team. 

I can also bet that your school community had a profound influence on your life.

Beatwell Playshop at Baltimore Lab School // October 9, 2013

When I share a Beatwell Playshop with an entire school, my focus is on the community.

To drum with just the students would be incomplete.

At Baltimore Lab, a school for children who learn differently, I made music with the students and faculty in unison. During the last 15 minutes of each assembly, their principal joined us on the largest drum. A fitting metaphor for the school's "leader."

My main message: Every community is made up of individuals with a unique voice and personal strengths (like the different instruments in the drum circle). When each person contributes towards the betterment of the group (the song being created), the school community will be most successful.

Baltimore Lab is an exceptional school community. 

I felt it in the music. 

Head Start Recap

4-year-olds just drum.

That's why I was excited to share a Beatwell Workshop with two preschool groups last week. I was invited to Morgan State University's Head Start program by their mental health therapist, Nikki Smith, LGSW, MSW, M.Ed.

As most of us get older, we become more self-judgmental. Young kids play naturally, and I was there primarily for just that—to play music. However, in my work, we play with purpose. It was my intention to use group music-making to teach three specific concepts.

1. Individual Self-Expression

I explained to the kids that each instrument has its own sound, in the same way that each child has their own unique voice and gifts to share. They realized that it's possible to play different rhythms on their own instrument, while still contributing to one cohesive song. Which leads us to the next concept.

2. Community & Teamwork

In order for each individual "voice" to be effectively heard, working together was essential. I explained that throughout our lives we are members of different teams: classroom, family, sports team, community, etc. It is when we work together—in this case listening and contributing to the music—that the group is most successful. To tie the two concepts together, the group will work best when each individual contributes their best self.

3. Multicultural Diversity

Each instrument I brought has its own story of origin. Beatwell Workshops offer a great opportunity to experience how different cultures use music to strengthen community. Some African, Latin and Native American cultures—to name a few—make music each day socially. This is quite different from the musical experiences most Americans have. Too often in our consumeristic culture, we treat our art as a product; not as a tool of self-expression and community-building.

Drumming offered the opportunity to teach these important concepts to such young kids, while maintaining engagement. In fact, the number one compliment I seem to get from teachers and other adults is how engaged the children remain. I was glad to create some opportunities for learning, but between us, I was there to play.

And we did that—because 4-year-olds just drum.

Mesh Baltimore Recap

Every community needs a monthly SkillShare.

Mesh Baltimore organizes this 3-hour event each month in Federal Hill.

The concept is simple: 12 locals share a unique expertise for 60 minutes. Each hour you pick from one of four offerings. In an afternoon you walk away with new knowledge and experiences, an expanded network of neighbors, and a belly full of pita chips and hummus.

I gladly accepted an invitation to lead a Beatwell Workshop at the April SkillShare. The Workshop was more educational in nature, during which I shared current research on the health benefits of group drumming and personal experiences as a therapeutic drummer and educator.

But we also "played" music. (The word "perform" is never used in a Beatwell Workshop.) Some attendees had never touched a drum, which always excites me. Within seconds the group was creating musical and memorable experiences together.

Here are some "still" memories from Mesh!
(Over the next month, Julian Haddad and I will be editing video from this and other Beatwell events to share with you all!)

The New American Dream

A hallmark of my message to others is to discover the artist within yourself. An infinite potential of creativity lies dormant within you and I. 

This is the foundation of all problem-solving skills.

Original Photo by Theresa Keil

The New American Dream
First Published January 12, 2012
 
“…But out of limitations comes creativity.” – Debbie Allen

“Mr. Jordan! Over the weekend I filled up a cup with beads, taped the top, and made a shaker!”
This has been the most potent affirmation that I’m doing my job well at the Baltimore City school where I work as a mental health counselor and resident drum circle facilitator.

The student, we’ll call him Justin, had an “A-ha!” moment; an experience of his own creative identity- and he didn’t do it by sitting in a stale classroom.

Our 20th century society fed us a road map towards the American Dream.

Go to school for seven hours a day, sit at your desk, keep quiet and follow the rules. Get a good-enough job, work eight hours a day, keep quiet and follow the rules. Do this for a half-century and you will be rewarded with a retirement plan and the gold watch.

Although devoid of individuality and creativity, this worked well enough for a short time.

This model is currently failing and though it’s painfully obvious, students like Justin are still being taught under this outdated and limiting model of how their future should unfold.

The 21st century reality is quite different.

CLICK TO CONTINUE STORY...