In 2016, March 1 was declared World Music Therapy Day. 

Designed to raise awareness of how music therapy can improve all our lives including giving a wealth of support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, the day also gives us an opportunity to appreciate the value and unique power of music. 

At Katumba, bringing the therapeutic power of music to people and supporting them to benefit from it is absolutely a core pillar of what we do, and why we exist.

We have worked with a number of organisational partners to support rehabilitation and recovery, including NHS England, the National Stroke Association, and Everton in the Community.

Drumming is a major channel for us in unleashing this power. 

It provides the emotional and physical benefits collectively known as “drummer’s high.” 

Drummer’s high is an endorphin rush that is stimulated by playing music, and not simply listening to it. 

Our drummers will all attest to this. All day long, in fact! 

You can read exactly what they said about their drumming experiences here.

 

DRUMMER’S STORIES

 

Participants give a clear message – of joy

Our visitors who attend specifically therapeutic drumming sessions also report incredibly positive outcomes to us, which attest to the power of music therapy and highlight how much positivity we can all manifest by celebrating music therapy today.

For example, Kate Charles, Head of Stroke Support (North) at the Stroke Association told us,

“It has been incredible! The sessions have helped [our Stroke Survivors] so much. Their memory retention, their cognitive capacity – and it’s just been so much fun!”

Hannah Peake, Children’s Services Manager at Barnados told us,

“The whole experience was unifying, uplifting, empowering and really engaging. […] I couldn’t recommend the experience more!”

As if more proof were needed, participants in our community outreach project BEAT IT – which focuses on health and wellbeing across Merseyside – gave us powerful feedback that potently demonstrates the power of music therapy and – along with all of our feedback – keeps us delivering what we do with the utmost commitment, vigour and gratitude:

“Drumming is the highlight of my week”

“It brings you out of your shell”

“I’ve never had so many hugs in my life!”

“It gives me feelings of self-worth”

“I went through some really bad trauma. It was samba drumming that brought me out of myself”

“People smile and welcome you – it uplifts me”

You can read more from our BEAT IT family here.

 

PARTICIPANT’S STORIES

 

So how exactly does music therapy work its magic?

Incredibly, Oxford psychologists found  that the magic of music – and drumming in particular – actually increases people’s pain thresholds.

In addition, the endorphin-filled act of drumming increases positive emotions and leads people to work together more co-operatively.

How incredible is that!

It is argued that music originally evolved, at least in part, as a way of strengthening societal bonds.

Drumming in particular has been used as a tool for celebration, communication and mourning in human society for thousands of years.

A study of pre-schoolers found that people who sing or move in rhythmic unison tend to work together more co-operatively afterwards.

This is why our artform is such an incredible team building activity improving communication, cohesion and building camaraderie in groups of all shapes and sizes.

At Katumba we claim the power of music therapy for Every Body, so join us for our forthcoming taster session and see what happens to YOU! 

Book onto a Katumba taster session and get a taste of that Drummer’s High with us! After all, what’s the BEST that could happen?

 

BOOK A TASTER SESSION

 

Sources:
https://www.openculture.com/2015/08/the-neuroscience-of-drumming.html
https://psmag.com/economics/drummers-high-evidence-that-playing-music-releases-endorphins-49578
https://psmag.com/economics/drummers-high-evidence-that-playing-music-releases-endorphins-49578)