«DrumPower» – Annual Report 2023
n 2023, the DrumPower project work could take place again in schools without pandemic restrictions. Various projects were carried out in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The first projects were also successfully completed in Palestine. New initiatives are being prepared in Sweden and Ukraine.
Applications
In the 22/23 school year, DrumPower Munich was able to carry out various projects at primary and secondary schools, as well as in some special needs schools. After the restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, there is a great need for psychosocial support in many classes. The colleagues in the teaching staff at schools are aware of this. There is a high level of catching up to do, particularly in the 3rd and 4th grade classes. The demand for drum power projects was and is therefore very high. In total, DrumPower Munich was able to carry out 8 half-year projects, 1 project week and 8 shorter projects.
Students feedback:
- I liked the game. And how we talked about our day.
- I learned that I can drum well and sing well. And I love singing with others.
We drummed nicely.
- I learned that I can say NO out loud so well.
- We laughed together.
- That you are very excited (during the performance).
- Sticking together and listening is important.
- The shared rhythm was great.
- We listened to each other!
- We argued a little less.
Feedback from teachers:
- The project has partly brought about improvements in the students' self-confidence and in overcoming their excitement during the performance.
- The shy students had more confidence in themselves.
- The students listened to each other for the first time.
- Yes, I would like to have the project back at my school.
- I take a lot of games and exercise ideas into my work.
- Better class community, “getting through the performance together”.
Further DrumPower projects were carried out by other DrumPower trainers with the support of the “Barbara Weidinger Music Foundation”, for example in the elementary school in Schrobenhausen, the middle school in Aitrachtal and at two middle schools in Munich.
In 2023, as every year, various drum power projects took place in the area of Erlangen-Nuremberg at the Eichendorffschule (middle school) and at the Emmy-Noether-Gymnasium in Erlangen and at the middle school in Zirndorf. In Zirndorf, the students from the 5th and 6th grades performed at the school's internal music evening, and the students from the Eichendorf School provided rhythmic live music at the Erlanger Forest Christmas.
International
As part of the DrumPower project initiative in Palestine, various projects were completed by the middle of the year. Due to the war, current information is lacking.
As part of a lecture, the DrumPower project method was presented to music therapist colleagues in Ukraine. The lecture received a great response. There is a small group of Ukrainian colleagues who would like to take part in the international DrumPower training next year and are currently trying to acquire funding for this.
Annual DrumPower – meeting 2023
At the annual DrumPower meeting on October 28th, after the restrictions caused by the corona pandemic, there was again increased interest in meeting and exchanging ideas about the projects. The fact that the event was divided into an online part for exchanging information and a face-to-face part for collecting and practicing various forms of improvisation was well used by those interested. A larger group took part in the online meeting even with participants who had not been able to attend for a long time. This was great. And a very lively and involved group also met at the face-to-face event in the afternoon. The idea of building a game collection is being pursued further.
Network music therapy in prevention and health promotion
In addition, a national network meeting on music therapy in the areas of prevention and health promotion was initiated at the end of last year and continued this year. 6 meetings took place in 2023. The central aims are, on the one hand, an overview of which groups and individuals are active in this area and, on the other hand, considerations of how these initiatives can be promoted. This includes consideration of systematizing the various activities as well as the exchange of financing and funding options and initiatives at the educational and professional policy level. Among other things, there are considerations for activities as part of the EMTC Congress 2025 in Hamburg and at the music therapy conference 2025 in Munich.
Continuing education
The next additional drum power qualification begins in May 2024. A German and an international English language training are planned. Further information can be found on the homepage and in the program of the Freies Musikzentrum.
Scientific discourse
At the music therapy conference of the Institute for Music Therapy at the Freies Musikzentrum Munich in 2023 with the topic “The systemic perspective in music therapy”, a poster was presented on the question “What can drum power achieve in the school system?” Another poster showd the results of a comparative study between the Project methods DrumPower and “A song for every class”. A third poster from DrumPower Erlangen presented the project HEARTBEAT, a great cooperation between DrumPower Erlangen and various schools, the Nuremberg State Theater, the State Philharmonic Orchestra and theater education. In addition, drum power was referred to in several lectures and small examples of working methods were presented.
Poster at the national Music Therapy conference in Munich: “The systemic perspective in music therapy”
Professional support and supervision
All DrumPower projects take place under professional support and supervision.
Financial support
Drum Power projects with children, teenagers and young adults can usually only be realized thanks to special support and funding. In 2023, our thanks go especially to the Munich Cultural Department, the Barbara Weidinger Music Foundation and all other sponsors and supporters.