Drumming up Connection Across Generations

October 3, 2024
• Plugged In and the Center at the Heights partner to foster community through music that bridges a generational divide.

To the tune of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics, Needham seniors shook maracas, tapped tambourines and rotated a rainstick in an intergenerational drum circle held at the Center at the Heights Wednesday.

The event, organized by the Plugged In Band Program, introduced residents to different percussion instruments through a series of music games and exercises. While music is at the heart of the program, the drum circle also intends to bring people of all ages together, Plugged In Program Coordinator Matthew Cunningham said.

“Being expressive with music always has a lot of benefits,” Cunningham said. “It can be both fulfilling creatively, it can be soothing and calming to express yourself with music and to do these sorts of music games, and it’s also a really great social experience.”

Wednesday marked the second monthly drum circle at the CATH. As the program progresses, Cunningham said they hope to “create some connections across generations.” People of all abilities and music experience are welcome, he said.

Participants formed a circle and, after selecting their musical instrument, followed a series of warm-ups led by core teacher Nathan Bolton. Bolton counted off beats in a measure, encouraging the new musicians to jump in and play their own rhythm. He then took audience requests for songs to drum along to.

Music is universal for people of all generations, and Bolton said he enjoys finding common musical interests with other generations. At the previous drum circle, Bolton said a participant discussed her missed opportunity to see Elvis in concert. Sharing stories is an added benefit of the music session, he said.

While making music may feel daunting, Bolton said it’s actually accessible.

“I think some folks are shy,” he said. “But I think once you get going, I think folks are pretty eager to play along… I think that’s really the main advantage of it, is opening somebody’s perception to something they thought they weren’t capable of.”

As the circle moved from different activities, the drummers seemed to grow comfortable with their instruments. They looked around as other drummers tapped to the beat, and smiled off the occasional off-beat drum or misstep. Cunningham joined the group of mostly senior residents, wielding a tambourine, as Bolton played the claves, which are wooden sticks.

Participants tapped to the syllables of their favorite desserts — “rasp-ber-ry-ice-cream, pump-kin-bread, brown-ies-brown-ies” — and described their mood before finding each word’s rhythm — “greg-ar-i-ous, var-i-a-ble, ex-cit-ed, shy.”

Prior to the drum circle, the CATH partnered with Plugged In for an ongoing open mic night every month. The Council on Aging received requests for a drum circle as they’ve grown in popularity in surrounding communities, said Aicha Kelley, the CoA’s assistant director of programming and transportation. The CATH organizes a number of weekly music-themed events, including music BINGO, trivia, a disco party and visiting theater troupes, Kelley said.

Intergenerational events help breed mutual respect, Kelley said — seniors and youth sometimes don’t understand each other, but connecting them through music can help break down some misconceptions. They hope to welcome younger people — even toddlers if possible — to drum alongside their older neighbors, Kelley said.

“Both generations are just misunderstood,” Kelley said, “and then they come here and they do something that’s mutually enjoyable, and it breaks down a ton of barriers.”

Plugged In’s mission is twofold: make music fun and accessible for all and make a positive impact in the community through music.

“Our goal is always to meet students where they are, even starting at a very beginning, basic level of rhythmic skill,” Cunningham said. “We can work with you up, the more times you come to drum circles, the more times that we do band classes, private lessons with you, the more confident and skilled you’ll be as a musician.”

Kelley said she’s only heard positive feedback about the program. She sees how the drum circle can help participants get out aggression, find rhythm and mediate. The drum circle, she said, “builds a little community in a matter of an hour.”

“Music is like food: it brings people together,” Kelley said.

The next drum circle will be held Nov. 6 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Registration is not required, but those interested can contact info@pluggedinband.org for more information.