| Program Model | In Class |
| Artistic Discipline | Music |
| Grades | K | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Min. residency sessions/classroom | 4 |
| Program Requirements | We require a large, open area for teaching such as a gym, music room or empty classroom that is thoughtfully located so the drums will not disturb other active classrooms. A safe and secure area to store the taiko is requested for the duration of our residency. |
| Instruction Language(s) | English |
| Availability Notes |
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About the Artist
Unit Souzou builds creative and imaginative works while honoring the history and roots of the taiko art form. Teaching artists, Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe, bring their 25 years of taiko experience to empower students through the drum.
Teaching Philosophy
Taiko builds community and brings people together. Through the unity of the beat, we can discover connections, lineages, and expressions.
Testimonial
"I am still vibrating!" -- Student, Portland
"Makes my spirit soar" -- Student, Portland
Program Description
Taiko (Japanese drumming) is an energetic fusion of sound, movement and spirit, and has been a loud and proud voice to express stories of heritage. Teaching artists, Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe from Unit Souzou, offer several choices of residencies that can empower your students through the drum. Through engaged hands-on learning, students will take turns as teams to practice and play taiko. Teaching is transmitted orally through direction and dialogue. Once the taiko vocabulary has been introduced, students will be encouraged to tell their own stories by composing rhythmic compositions.
As students go through the residency, they build on basic techniques and thus learn skills in: expressing themselves, composing music that tells a story, playing as an ensemble, listening to one another, counting and playing at the same time. Students learn about the expression of music as part of themselves, and as part of a larger group experience. At the end of the residency (depending on the length of the residency), students will be able to play basic rhythms, drum rolls, taiko songs, solos and can perform as an ensemble with their fellow classmates.
Thank you to Nina Johnson, Jan Landis and Portland Art Museum for their photography.
As students go through the residency, they build on basic techniques and thus learn skills in: expressing themselves, composing music that tells a story, playing as an ensemble, listening to one another, counting and playing at the same time. Students learn about the expression of music as part of themselves, and as part of a larger group experience. At the end of the residency (depending on the length of the residency), students will be able to play basic rhythms, drum rolls, taiko songs, solos and can perform as an ensemble with their fellow classmates.
Thank you to Nina Johnson, Jan Landis and Portland Art Museum for their photography.
Keywords
taiko, drumming, oral tradition, respect, cooperation, perseverance, songwriting, singing, music
Questions?
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