The other night, the youth in our church ward (congregation) had their annual talent show. This particular group of teens has been known as very VERY talented, so the talent show is a big treat! I enjoyed laughing at their skits and comedy routines so much that tears rolled down my cheeks and my stomach hurt. I loved the amazing piano recitals, and silliness. And then JG brought out the drums. He is one of the youth leaders and he was amazing.It was a flawless performance, and it ROCKED. Heeding his warning, I, and other parents of babies, headed to the back of the assembly because of the volume.
Peach loves music. She has reacted positively to music since birth. She loves a good beat and a good tune. However, she is also quite sensitive to sound. As I held her she bounced to his amazing, powerful beat, while she hid her face in my armpit. Definite love/hate. I took her into the hallway, so she could appreciate much more.
In the hallway there were Kids Going Berserk. I title it because it could be a reality show. Several kids ages 5-10 were out in the hall acting like maniacs.
They would have made Animal proud. They were running as fast as they could, mouths agape in HUGE smiles, going in circles, jumping around, swinging each other by the arms, shaking each other. Berserk.Yet, the reaction with drums doesn't seem to end at childhood! Who isn't affected by an amazing beat? A good beat can be empowering and releasing! You can dance your heart out and not care!
And then some reaction is over the top. At one point Saturday, as The Captain attended a concert with his friend, MR, he texted me a picture similar to this:
Intense! I have been to a concert like this. People died. Police reinforcement was called in. I am not exaggerating when I say I feared for my life. What happened to these people? Is it a loss of control? A release? Where is their limit? The boundary of caution or normalcy? How can I listen to a drum solo and move to the beat, and others become maniacal? What is it with drums that drives people? What is it with drums that seems to seize a soul? I'm not implying drums are the devil. I'm really just simply wondering... What is it with drums?
Do you love a good beat or hate it?
Or both...?
My most intense experience with the power of a drumbeat was actually at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival at the opening of Othello. It was like a heartbeat, but it was so much more. It was subtle, but became everything as we sat and waited for the actors to emerge. It worked its way into the bones, and I don't think I'll ever forget how it made me feel--an disquieting combination of terror, release, anger and sorrow.
ReplyDeleteI love drums as well. I don't know what it is, but drums make me want to move, but just to the beat - not crazy-like. For some reason, they get inside you - maybe because they imitate your heart beat as such - I don't know, but I love drums, especially when they are heavy on the bass. :)
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