Below are some samples of evaluations and testimonies from schools, communities, organisations and individuals about the benefits of the African drumming workshops and the Egwundu musical performance:
Then in numeracy, after a wet playtime – usually a difficult lesson with lots of disturbances, e.g. the through traffic in the hall, the SEN children concentrated harder than usual, and got through more work (4 pieces of work) than on a ‘normal’ day.
The drumming ‘cut out’ all other peripheral noises, and the rhythm seemed to help the children to get into the swing of the lesson, more quickly and successfully than normal. Thank you!I could now do with a recording of the drumming to use on a regular basis!
Sandra Stuart (SENCo) - Crossley Hall Primary School, Bradford
The children at Windhill have a very limited experience and understanding of the wider world and its cultures; sadly, their lack of understanding is sometimes expressed inappropriately. I was slightly concerned about the response Moses might provoke when he dressed in costume and began to play, but I need not have worried as all the children were enthralled and wanted to join in.
The level of engagement and stimulation was total, and the follow-up artwork which many children produced was evidence of the impact the day had on their understanding and creativity. For children of similar backgrounds to those of our children I believe such experiences are essential and I would certainly want Moses to come back to Windhill at a future date.
Mrs. G. Burgess - Headteacher Windhill Church of England Primary School, Bradford.
Aireview is part of the Bradford City Pupils Referral Unit based in Shipley. The young people who attended there are excluded from school for various reasons. The main aim of the centre is to re-integrate them back into a new school to continue their education.
I was asked to provide afternoon activities for these young people. The activities included soccer skills, climbing, art, fitness and African drumming. These activities were based around developing the young people’s communication, interaction, fitness and creative skills and also anger management.
One of the reasons I chose African drumming was because I felt it can bring out these creative aspects through music especially drum. The sessions have proved successful with the young people over the past six weeks especially with the expert and very patient Moses, we have now got to the stage where we are starting to record their music.
Moses has worked very hard with these sometimes very difficult and challenging young people and I now feel it is producing good results. I am very glad he agreed to get involved with this project; the young people get on very well with him and have built up a good report.
Chris Howlet - Education Bradford.
Shortly after this feedback, some of the young people returned to mainstream school to continue their education and some re-integrated into the community where they now work.
The session we had worked very well. The pace and variety of activities ensured pupils (young people with wide range of learning and behavioural difficulties) were on task and having fun throughout.
The particular outcomes being addressed (from my own point of view) were: following directions; turn taking; developing focus; following sequences; working in groups; having fun.
(C. Brennin – Class tutor of young people with wide range of learning and behavioural difficulties).
Below are feedback samples from individuals in the community:
“After my African drumming session, I went straight to football. I felt so relaxed and it helped me play better. For the first time, we kept a clean sheet and we won!
My team thinks I should buy an African drum so I can play before every game’"
Matthew Reagan - Goal Keeper.“Really good, very hypnotic puts you in a bit of trance – thank you”; “Excellent – great fun and a grear release”; “Really good fun – invigorating, therapeutic”.
In 2017, we took part in the Bradford Creative Streets project. The aim of the project was to animate the deserted Bradford streets and stimulate business activities in the area. Below are the feedback of businesses after we ran drumming workshops and paraded with musical rhythm in the area:
“It creates lively environment. It attracts spectators that in turn creats customers for us. Those who would usually go past come in and spend money. It is very positive. – Smorgmbord Caffee Bar”.
"It was a great lot of atmosphere that we have not seen for a long time. Shop was busier too! Customers were dancing aroud the shop” – Boots Store Manager”.
“It has brought trade up to top of town – lively atmosphere – British Heart Foundation”.
“It fostered a sense of community spirit. people gathered and were happy. Awesome. – Waterstones Bookshop”.
“Thought it was fantastic. Staff and customers stood outside the City Voults watching. – The City Voults Manager”.
“It was amazing and a lot of people were outside our shop and they actually came in to our business and buy stuff which is good for our business and others aroud. – Poundworld Express Shop”.
“Brought a feel good factor on the street. Plenty of people involved and people happy to call into businesses which themselves noticed and call in bringing trade to other areas of Bradford City Centre. – Greggs Baker”.
“Bring a good vibe around the town to the business, making people want to buy from our business. – Flirt”.
“Nice sound, soothing, ambience”; “Good to see such happy and peaceful crowd”.
The samples of feedback of individuals from Bradford and those outside the city are as below:
In 2014, older people with some degree of physical, social infirmity and isolation assessed the drumming workshop in the Friendship Centre, Communityworks, Bradford. Accessments showed significant reduction of their stress, depression, anxiety and social isolation. In addition to the assessment, below is their feedback:
The feedback above is in agreement with the scientic findings about the importance of musical rhythm in our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. For example, one of the finding is as reported in one news release with the headline:
‘Symposium looks at therapeutic benefits of musical rhythm.’
To quote the report:
“Musicians and mystics have long recognised the power of rhythmic music. Ritual drumming and rhythmic prayer are found in cultures throughout the world and are used in religious ceremonies to induce trance states. But since the counterculture movement of the 1960s, scientists have shied away from investigating the almost mystical implications of musical rhythm…
“Recent interest in sleep, meditation and hypnosis research has spurred scientists to take a closer look at music. A Small but growing body of scientific evidence suggests that music and other rhythmic stimuli can alter mental states in predictable ways and even heal damaged brains…
More reported benefits in this news release and other science journals which the music rhythm offers include:
More details and information about the scientific findings are in the book, Interconnectedness of Life, Chapter 4, page 35 to 46.