With traditional tribal drums from Mongolia to West Africa, musician Otha Day brought some rhythm to Rochester Memorial School on Monday, April 30.

Day, a resident of North Adams, led students and their families in a drum circle meant to bring people together as one community, he said.

“Your heartbeat is the rhythm of your soul!” said Day. “No experience is necessary, and all ages can participate. If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm and you can drum!”

With his “Drum to the Beat” program, Day said he believes that rhythm has the power to build communities, promote well being and create joy.

“Everyone in this room is related,” said Day. “We are all brothers and sisters. We are all the children of Mother Earth.”

Day has a master’s degree in piano performance and education from Eastern Illinois University. He specializes in the classical piano music of black composers.

Since 1990, Day has been involved with The Drum Connection, a state-wide drumming school. The school also serves as a shop, building traditional tribal instruments such as djembe, dunun, congas, bongos, hand percussion, cases, cajons, doumbeks, skins and full hides.

Monday’s event was sponsored by the Rochester Memorial School’s Parent Teacher Organization Cultural Committee and marked Day’s second visit to Rochester.

“This event is great because it’s open to the Rochester Memorial School community including faculty, staff, children, parents, grandparents, so on,” said Chair of the Committee Michelle Cusolito. “Otha worked with Rochester Memorial School students last fall, so the students were very excited to hear he was returning.”

For four-year old Katie Renee, the group drumming session was a time to let loose.
Renee said, “We drummed quiet and then loud, loud, loud!”