A solitary drumbeat resonated throughout a packed American University of Sharjah auditorium and all chatter ceased immediately. Students and faculty were instantly spellbound by the rhythm of the drum mimicking a heartbeat.
Moments later the lone drummer was joined, one by one, by fellow performers from all corners of the globe, who had brought their unique drums to the concert.
The first session of the Drums of the World concert was underway and the audience was mesmerised by the drummers' ability to beat out rhythms spontaneously, without any prior rehearsal.
In the first session, spectators were treated to Spanish guitar playing followed by the powerful rhythms of drums from Africa, India and Arabia. In the second session, they joined the band in an interactive and fun drumming session. One hundred and one drums were distributed among the audience, with spectators following the musicians' instructions to make music.
The two-hour event, which was organised by the Cultural Event Committee at AUS, was open to the public as well as university faculty, staff and students.
Drum lady
Julie-Anne Odell is the force behind Drums of the World, which she started about two years ago. However, the 'drum lady', as she is often called, began drumming five years ago.
"My background is in public relations but when I got to a certain age I wanted to do something on my own," she said.
It was when Odell was introduced to drumming circles that her interest was really kindled. "I had lived in the Middle East for 35 years but hadn't seen drum circles. I realised drumming was really important to me."
Odell's next decision was to learn to drum professionally so off she went to South Africa where she took intensive hand drumming classes and also learnt to be a facilitator. Corporate coaching was another skill she learned, where one engages the energies of other people.
Goose bumps
Odell's first drumming gig was at her daughter's school where 20 children learnt to drum. "I got goose bumps down my back and I knew that I was always meant to be a drummer," said Odell.
Since then she has used drumming to "kindle things". Her work involves going to organisations and doing a team-building day where everyone drums together. She says drumming gives people a common objective to make something great together.
Odell also works in community drumming circles, drumming with school children and university students. Classes are held every Wednesday night at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (Ductac) and full moon desert drumming sessions are held every month. "The desert drumming is very popular and about 500 people of more than 30 nationalities show up," Odell said.
Primal
"Drumming is very primal – it enters people's hearts," said Odell, adding that they were man's first instruments used for celebrations, communication and daily life.
Her Drums of the World group hails from Ghana, Senegal, Afghanistan, Malaysia, the UAE, Iraq, Lebanon and England and comprise about 20 core members.
"We don't rehearse; it's all in the moment. What we played at the AUS concert we'll never be able to play again," she said.
Why drum?
- Drumming is the oldest known form of teambuilding.
- It is powerful and unforgettable! It reaches people.
- It has been used for centuries to communicate, celebrate and unite.
- It transcends all boundaries of race, religion, age, gender, and social position.
- The drumbeat unifies and creates a common purpose for all who participate.
- It's unity through rhythm
