Dominic Piacentini
A&E Senior Staff Writer
Many on campus are unaware that the College of Wooster hosts a drum circle in Scheide Music center once a month, and it is open to students—regardless of musical experience—and the Wooster public. Their circle uses different types of drums as well as hand percussives. Their spontaneous performance is done without notated music, and is often improvised.
Leading the drum circle are Kim Tapie ’74, Wooster graduate of 1974, and guest percussionist Sogbety Diomande from the Ivory Coast. Sogbety has been playing the African drums his entire life.
Drum circle member Zach Kelly ’13 notes that, “not only does he teach traditional music from his country and countries around his, like Ghana, but he is always more than willing to show any daring leaner traditional dances as well.”
Sogbety has a troupe of performers that have traveled around the U.S. Kelly also notes that Sogbety speaks French, and that attending the drum circle might be a good way for majors/minors to practice in a relaxed atmosphere. Nathaniel Boyer ’14 considers the drum circle to be a great way to experience the musical perspective of African culture, and the origins of modern music.
“We are truly a fortunate school to be handed this learning opportunity, and it is not being utilized to its fullest potential,” said Kelly. We only had ten people show up to the last drum circle, while other schools get hundreds, and even thousands of participants. This drum circle provides all of its participants with the exciting experience of making music, an opportunity to meet a truly unique individual, and it brings together the Wooster community and college. You will most certainly learn something new, and without a doubt have fun.”
The drum circle meets in Scheide in room 116 once a month from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The next meeting is this coming Wednesday, Oct. 10. So come relax and experience something new!