It’s Drum O' Clock
It all began on Friday the 13th of March in the year 2020. Out of the blue I received a phone call from my school’s PTA President asking if I could do something to keep our school community together while the district figured out how we were going to continue school through the world pandemic of COVID-19 also known as the coronavirus.
It all seems like a dream when I think back on it now. That week was intense because we had a full moon, it was Friday the 13th and it was really close to spring break. The energy felt strange, nothing I can say I have ever felt before. I sat for a few minutes after that phone call and instantly felt a stream of electricity flow through me as if God put the thought in my head at the perfect time. I thought that a virtual drum circle would be the most accessible way of making music I could think of that would engage all ages and ability levels.
Drum O’ Clock was born on Friday the 13th and was brought to the public on Facebook Live on Saturday March 14, 2020 in less than 24 hours later to an audience of over 500 people. Drum O’ Clock took place at 11:11 am every day until we started Non-Traditional Instruction at my elementary school. I chose the time 11:11 am because it had a very special meaning to me. It is 11:11, “Make a Wish” they say and it will come true. I am certain that during this time, a shift occurred in myself and the entire viewing audience.
The topics of each session took hours to develop and deliver. The lessons were well thought out and were from the heart, and born of good intentions. I wanted to create lessons that included pieces of social and emotional healing, mindfulness, creativity, and community building. I believe all of these targets were met and am grateful that God planted the seeds in my mind and heart so that I could share this magic with the world. I am also grateful to my students and friends for joining Drum O’ Clock for two weeks straight without skipping a beat. You were the wind beneath my wings during one of the most isolated times in my life.
Having the opportunity to connect with everyone through a virtual drum circle was an experience I will never forget. As I look back, I am not sure how I did it. I had never held a virtual drum circle before. I went into this not knowing if it would work. I took a leap of faith and trusted that God would be there to light the path before me, and he/she did. As each day passed, I came up with new topics and lessons that included musical elements such as echo imitation, trading 4’s, rapping, chanting, singing, and more. I kept discovering new ways to play in a virtual drum circle that was educational and fun. I relied on my assistant “Sunny” the sloth to help me teach . It was fun to engage with Sunny during lessons because it made me feel like I was not alone. In this drum circle, I couldn’t see the participants. All I could see was how many people were watching. And, when the participants engaged in answering my questions, or stating their name and where they were from was another way I could communicate with them. It was encouraging to receive instant responses when I asked a question about the topic. This is how the participants were creating their rhythms for the drum circle. Then, I took their responses and layered them on my electrorganic aFrame drum as the responses flowed through the Facebook Live feed. It worked! My idea actually worked! When people witnessed this happen, I couldn’t hear them, but they could see and hear the process of what they were creating through my drum. It was a miracle.
Everyday for two weeks, I received pictures from people around the world who were using these videos for their students and their children. It is humbling to know that the lessons taught from the Virtual Drum Circle on Facebook Live have been turned into a 55 page book with video lessons that can be used by anyone. If you would like to take a peek inside the book, check out this video on my YouTube Channel. If you like what you see, head over to www.fflat-books.com and purchase a copy. Thank you for your support!
K. Michelle Lewis