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Participatory Performances
Team Building Drum Circles Instruction Residency & Inservice Programs Drumming for Wellness |
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BOB BLOOM
860-429-9280
bb@drumming-about-you.com
Drumming About You is a hands-on, participatory event that is accessible to all ages, and is inclusive of elders and people of challenge.
Bob Bloom provides a beautiful array of drums and percussion instruments for everyone to join in the rhythms that give rise to some of the most joyous music of Brazil, Cuba, Africa, and North America.
In addition to performances for entertainment, Drumming About You is utilized in educational, health care, and corporate settings for its’ value in team building and therapy. Everyone is engaged by the elements that create fulfilling communities: group participation, individual contribution, teamwork, and the experience of success.
The New England League of Middle Schools presented Drumming About You at its’ 1996 Unified Arts Conference and its’ 1997 and 1999 Annual Conferences. Bob was the Keynote Speaker at the 1996 Annual Conference of the Connecticut Association of Therapeutic Recreation Directors, and the Keynote Presenter at the 2000 Annual Conference of the New England Region American Music Therapy Association.
DRUMMING ABOUT YOU is a hands-on program that provides an
atmosphere in which rhythmic entrainment happens for students, educators, administrators, and family members. Rhythmic entrainment is an effective strategy for team building and curriculum enrichment. Participants are engaged by the same elements of music-making that create an experience of success for everyone: group participation, individual contribution, communication, and goal setting.
Bob Bloom is certified as a "Master Teaching Artist" by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.
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"The school assembly was
my dream come true. It left everyone feeling connected in a
way that truly inspires team work." Cynde E. Schwartz Arts and Education Committee Chair Niskayuna Central Schools, NY |
Bob Bloom facilitates the whole audience. He provides a beautiful array of over 250 drums and percussion instruments for everyone to play together. Bob's communal musical events are accessible for all ages.
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"The 'Charlie Horse Music Pizza' jam sessions were a big favorite for the children and families who attended our annual KidsFair.
Your drum facilitation was excellent". Amy McMahon Project Director WGBH-TV Boston
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At a Drumming About You event, you'll join Bob Bloom in many rhythms as the entire audience plays his beautiful array of drums and percussion instruments. All ages are "hands on" with some of the world's most joyous music.
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"He is very entertaining and radiates an abundant amount of enthusiasm and energy. The children as well as parents play a very active role throughout his entire show". William DeMaio, C.L.P. Director of Recreation City of New Britain, Connecticut |
Bob's class, Introduction to Hand Drumming, teaches basic skills for playing music on drums from the 'cone' family: jembe, conga, and ashiko. Through the use of the oral tradition, you'll learn rhythms and songs that give rise to some of the world's most joyous music. This class is offered at the following learning centers:
- Boston Center for Adult Education
- Community School of the Arts at UCONN
- Manchester Community College
- Providence Learning Connection
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"During
his many years of supportive workshop leadership,
Bob has contributed an impressive amount of
energy and integrity to the quality of each
program." Kimberly Blissard
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Bob facilitates communal drum circles that benefit many populations. In addition, Bob conducts training for healthcare workers, social workers, and the families of the challenged to be able to use drumming skills in their professional and personal lives.
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"...our
agency conducted a program where parents, their
children with autism and the brothers and sisters
could come together with other families and share
an activity together. It was a tremendously
successful endeavor and we credit Mr. Bloom with
the success." Barbara Domingue, M.Ed. |
Bob Bloom facilitates communal, musical events with special attention to the joys and challenges of aging. Bob's participatory drum circles create the entrainment of elders, their families, and healthcare professionals.
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"It was so special to see the residents of our home drumming together
with children and adults. Drumming really helps to unite us". Jodi Levine Director of Therapeutic Recreation Jewish Home for the Aged, New Haven CT |
Young people can transcend the barriers of age, economics, race language and physical challenge when they play hand drums together. Bob Bloom facilitates participatory drum circles that entrain at-risk youth to achieve a feeling of teamwork, community, and the experience of success.
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"It was
great to see their sense of accomplishment and
pride as they enthusiastically performed for
their peers, teachers, and parents." Patricia Calvo |
Bob Bloom has served as a manufacturers' representative for major
corporations including Harman International, Clarion, and Panasonic since 1981. His account responsibilities for sales, marketing, product development, and staff training have given him a direct and comprehensive background in business cultures. Drumming About You entrains everyone and fosters group participation, goal setting, working together, and playing together. |
"No feel-good pep
talks... Some managers must first learn how to work in
sync. Bob Bloom has a knack for teaching people of diverse
backgrounds how to work as a team."
Ted Curtis |
Bob brings his SPICE RACK, including jembe, congas, jun-jun, bells, etc. etc. etc.
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"...this
young man is very clever with the new instruments
that REMO
has concocted. I'd like to introduce Bob
Bloom." Louis Bellson |
Bob Bloom is certified by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts as a 'Master Teaching Artist'. Through a reciprocal arrangement with the
New England Foundation for the Arts, grant funding for his programs is available in the six New England states.
For grant applications and guidelines:
Connecticut Commission on the Arts (www.ctarts.org) 860-566-4770
New England Foundation for the Arts (www.nefa.org) 617-951-0010
Albany/Schenectady
League of Arts (BOCES)
artsleague@aol.com
Bob has served as a faculty assistant to Master Babatunde Olatunji at the
Omega Institute for his
"Language of the Drums" courses since
1986.
He is an endorser for the following manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories:
Contact Bob Bloom at 860-429-9280 or bb@drumming-about-you.com.