Uzume Taiko Drum Group

Discipline: Music
Homebase: Richmond
Languages: English

Uzume Taiko celebrates the rhythm of life itself with shows that wow audiences through a uniquely theatrical blend of music and dance. They have handcrafted a unique brand of West Coast Canadian taiko drumming that offers a visual, sonic and dynamic experience to their audience. Awarded "ArtStarts Champions" for their commitment to touring, Uzume Taiko has performed taiko drumming in schools, festivals and community venues across BC since 1992. The group has toured their evening concerts, festival and youth shows across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. Uzume Taiko brings a vibrant, contemporary sensibility to an ancient art.

Reviews

I want to express my gratitude on behalf of our entire school community. Our teaching staff found your show to be both well designed, and well performed. It was just the right balance of direct teaching and performing, experiencing and engaging. Well done! Thank you for sharing your time, energy and passion. Cameron Fraser, Principal, Pender Island Elementary

I just wanted to pass on my thank you for an excellent drumming workshop. The instructions were super clear and very well presented. Not all zoom based workshops work out well but this one was excellent. I will be sending out an email to SD50 staff recommending your workshop. Behn Cochrane, Teacher, Agnes L. Mathers Elementary, Haida Gwaii

Thank you for teaching us Taiko drumming. The part I liked the best was when we went in a circle and used all the drums. Desiree, Student, Hawthorne Elementary

Performances & Workshops

Uzume Taiko Drum Performance

Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 40 minutes LIVE / 55 minutes VIRTUAL
Tech Requirements: LIVE: Clean floor, 2 Changerooms, Mic on Stand with PA / VIRTUAL: Internet Access, Computer or Tablet, SMART Board or AV Projection System to access Pre-recorded Virtual Performance and to attend Live Zoom Q&A Session
Fee Range: $545-$1695 (Includes ArtStarts' fee. Additional fees apply for remote districts.)

Uzume Taiko drummers present an energetic and spirited show of taiko drumming! The drummers perform choreographed martial-arts-based taiko drum songs. Their repertoire includes a variety of drum playing styles, exciting rhythms and powerful beats that audiences feel. The show includes some history of the instruments in rural Japan and how the ensemble drumming style "kumi-daiko" developed after the Second World War to become popular around the world. The drummers teach a taiko song using verbal notation and demonstrate the basic taiko drum stroke and martial arts stances used in taiko drumming. They play percussion instruments that accompany the taiko drums, the "chappa" and the "atarigane." THREE LIVE 40 MIN. PERFORMANCES PER DAY in the same School to allow for reduced indoor group capacity following PHO CoVid guidelines. VIRTUAL 40 MIN. PERFORMANCE is pre-recorded PLUS LIVE 15 MIN. Q&A WITH DRUMMERS via Zoom where questions about the instruments, playing techniques, drum-building, the creative process and why they play the drums can be discussed.

Uzume Taiko Drumming Workshop

Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 1 day / Up to 7 Sessions per day / 30-45 min. Sessions
Capacity: 2 Classes per Session LIVE / Up to 4 Classes per Session VIRTUAL
Tech Requirements: LIVE: Gymnasium, Clean floor, AC outlet / VIRTUAL: Internet Access to access Pre recorded Video Tutorials and Live Zoom Workshop Session. Participants require a desktop or DIY Drum and DIY Drumsticks.
Fee Range: $920-$1695 (Includes ArtStarts' fee. Additional fees apply for remote districts.)

Uzume Taiko Drummers lead Taiko Drumming Workshops for K to Gr 12 students in schools and in virtual learning environments. Through its martial arts link, this drumming style engages the spirit and motivates participants to coordinate the mind and body through its practice. Students engage in physical warm-up exercises, martial arts stance, and drum sticking techniques. They learn rhythmic drills, verbal notation, drum rudiments, choreography and song playing. UP TO SEVEN LIVE OR VIRTUAL 30-45 MIN. SESSIONS PER DAY. Student Taiko Drum Gear provided for up to 56 participants in the LIVE WORKSHOP. A Study Guide is provided to Schools for the VIRTUAL WORKSHOP with Youtube links to help prepare Students for the live Zoom Taiko Drumming Session led by Uzume Taiko drummers.

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