Taiko Rangers at Towersey 2008

On Thursday 21st August we all assembled at the Stanier Hall in torrential rain to pack the van and trailer with the drums and camping equipment. The journey down took 4 hours instead of the planned 2.5! I have never driven in such bad conditions. However, the convoy of two land rovers and a van arrived safely and it wasn't raining! So, tents were pitched and then it was off for food (it was 9pm by now!)... then back to sleep.

On Friday morning we rehearsed (without drums), had a light breakfast and then set off for the Welcome Ceilidh which we were performing in. All went well and then we went off to see "Salsa Celtica" amongst others.

Saturday dawned dry... and our lunch time set was outside! It was sunny and the set went well but lasted 30 minutes, which is a long time when you're drumming constantly. Then it was workshop time and 24 youngsters did a one hour work out led by the Taiko Rangers. In the evening the group split between "Whapweasel" and "Show of Hands" with a quick visit to the "Martin Simpson Trio".

Sunday dawned wet... and again our first set was outside! Muddy, but Ray was at hand to provide protection for the stands and the Rangers went barefoot! They then did their second workshop as well as their main Arena set with a really fast move between venues (which isn't easy when you've got massive drums to carry!). But, the audience all over the Festival Site loved them... In the evening it was the amazing "Bellowhead" and "Blowzabella" for entertainment!

Monday was our last day and the lunch-time spot went down well again. Then it was off to the farewell Ceilidh to round the Festival off with a bang! Prior to leaving the Rangers performed with Shootin' Roots, then home..... and a good time was had by all! Enjoy the pictures...

2008 - A Year of Achievement at Thomas Adams School

You've hopefully already seen the 'Musical Revue' of 2008 so here is the picture (excuse the pun) of the whole school. Like the Musical Revue it was made for the Celebration of Achievement Evenings, held recently. Unlike the Musical Revue though it was done by Julie McGurrin. So, here's a year in the life of Thomas Adams School & Sixth Form College. As ever let me know what you think!

We're On The Road To Montreux... nearly!

Having sorted out how to compress video and blog now I've sussed out the photo thing so here is album number one from Montreux, well actually it's departure day!

Youth Arts Award 2008 - Ich, Ni, San.....

It was always our intention to produce a finished product between our three groups, Music, Music Technology and Media. So, here it is. I'm sorry it has taken so long to publish( getting used to my new MacBook and having to use new software does cause problems....) but I hope you like what you see. The Musicians did the Taiko, the Music Techs the recording and backing, whilst the animations are all Media. A final apology that the names in the credits are not all accurate so will be amended in September. So, this is the combined work of about 60 Year 9 students who worked for four days to complete their Youth Arts Awards during the last week of term. Let me know what you think!

Youth Arts Award 'Arts Event'

As part of their Youth Arts Award the Year 9 students visited and exhibition in Shrewsbury called 'Stage' by Dorothy Cross. Dorothy was commissioned by Adrian Plant, Exhibitions officer of Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, to create a unique exhibition in Shrewsbury to honour the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth.

Cross' response to this commission was to visit the Galapagos Islands, which she did for two weeks in the spring of 2007 as the first artist-in-residence for the Gulbenkian Galapagos Artists' Residency Programme.

During this time Cross gathered video footage and sound recordings from which to create these new works which reflect on the evolution of art itself and the role of artists in a world facing huge environmental and cultural changes.

As an integral part of the commission Cross was invited to consider a range of Darwin related venues in Shrewsbury in which to exhibit her new video works. Her chosen venue was the Unitarian Church where Darwin attended services regularly as a young child with his mother.

What did you all make of the exhibition?

Youth Arts Award - July 2008

Review of Youth Taiko Concert - Maisie

June 28th brought about day 2 of the 4th National Taiko Festival. Hosted by Kagemusha Taiko, the event is usually held in Exeter, but this year it was different. Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire held the two day extravaganza, and it was anything but calm and quiet...
Being a member of the Taiko Rangers in Wem meant a day trip to Hertfordshire for a 2 hour Taiko workshop in the morning, then watching some junior groups in the afternoon. The evening was then spent performing our two new pieces, and getting to watch some of the other young drummers from across the country. The last time we had watched a live Taiko concert had been in February, when Mugenkyo came to Wem with their ‘Way of the Drum’ show, so we were all ready to see some more great taiko.
The afternoon performances from the younger taiko drummers were impressive. Kids from all over the country drummed their heart out with masses of enthusiasm, and the audience loved it. Not only groups from England played that afternoon though, as a visiting group from Japan (Kuretake Sogo Shien Gakko) played as well.
These performances were followed in the evening however by some fantastic groups. Night time brought the older groups to the stage, including us, ‘Black Dragon Drums’, ‘Tanoshii Taiko’, ‘Taiko Warriors’, ‘Kagemusha Junior Taiko’ and many others.
The evening progressed and we Rangers got more and more nervous seeing the high standards everyone was setting. From acrobatics to drumming at unimaginable speeds, these drummers had talent. One group maximised the drama in their piece with frightening masks, and a glow in the dark piece, whereas others used confusing rhythms; one thing was sure though, not a moment of the evening was unexciting.
The climax of the evening came when Kagemusha Junior Taiko hit the stage. Their energy and passion for taiko really showed in their playing, and they left the audience overwhelmed and tired from just watching it. There was amazing synchronicity between all the members, which made their performance all the more professional. The first song they played, ‘Kindred Spirit’, was breathtaking. The two lead players shone throughout the song, and made every other drummer in the room jealous.
After attending this remarkable and completely unique event, I am awestruck. There is no reason why anybody would not want to watch any of the performances that took place on the Saturday evening. It is no wonder taiko is growing more and more popular in the U.K, as seeing something this astonishing would make anybody want to play. Other than a blister and some broken sticks, the whole day was sensational, and I can’t wait to be back next year at the 5th National Festival. Because of everything we Taiko Rangers saw on Saturday, next year we will aim to be bigger and better, so watch out Exeter!