Picture the scene… the hall was full with parents and teachers, the sound system was set to 11, the smoke machine hissed as it filled the stage with plumes of a gentle white mist. Rehearsals were done, there was no more practice time, our hearts were thumping with anticipation in the moments that seemed like hours before the first cue.

The Bombastic drumming group sat on the darkened stage going through the piece once more in our heads. This was a big moment… we were about to open the Spring Concert with the very first public performance many of our students have taken part in and also the first in our new school hall. As the lights came up, we prepared to unleash the sheer ear-splitting decibels that drums are so well known for, coupled with the finesse and precision for which our drumming group are becoming known. The first every performance at Wren Academy Enfield had begun!

Djembe Drumming

The opening number of the night saw the group perform a piece of African Drumming we composed in lessons called ‘Djembe Gonna Give You Up’ (this name is due to the rhythmic reference to Rick Astley’s famous hit Never Gonna Give You Up). We hadn’t performed this for a while, but the group showed incredible adaptability to what we might call ‘unexpected rhythmic cues’ (the sign of true musicians).

Djembes are part of the rich, cultural drumming tradition of West Africa. The unique hourglass shape of the Djembes give these drums their impressive aesthetic, but also supports the unique tone production of these wonderful instruments. Djembes are played with the hands to produce three distinct tones that can be combined together to create interesting and complex rhythms.

Samba Drumming

The second half saw the group perform a piece of Batucada Samba (a style of samba music only using percussion instruments referred to as the ‘batteria’, as in ‘battering’ the drums).

Students learnt to use a wide range of instruments including the Surdos, Caixas, Repinique, Tamborims, Ganza and Agogo bells. Batucada Samba is performed by using a range of syncopated, repeating rhythms, called ostinatos, layered over each other to create a range of textures to produce the distinctive sound of the Brazilian samba, famous for its use in carnivals.

The players were amazing and represented the Academy, the music department, and crucially – themselves - brilliantly. The energy and the enthusiasm was inspiring.