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Have you ever seen YouTube videos of smiling faces “drumming” on stability balls using drumsticks and wondered WHAT IS THIS!?? Most likely, you found a Drums Alive video! Drums Alive is a unique program combining fitness, music, and movement, and has been proven to increase health and wellness amongst its participants.

Drums Alive was founded by Carrie Ekins out of necessity. She suffered a serious hip injury which caused her mobility and regular way of life to come to a halt. While in rehab she began to “drum” on boxes and other objects to get her upper body moving. Eventually this led to her desire to research the connections of the effects of drumming, brain activity, and how drumming impacts healing. Out of the darkness, she not only healed, but pioneered a movement-based activity to promote wellness. Thus, the emergence of the whole brain-and-body program designed as Drums Alive.

Drums Alive can be found in elementary and middle school classrooms, after school and recreational music and movement centers, fitness centers, and more. It is designed to get the heart pumping, smiles flowing, and increase overall wellness!

What is the Drums Alive program all about?

The Drums Alive program offers many different curriculum and training programs that combine fitness, drumming, music, and educational concepts to enhance physical, social, and emotional wellness. The curriculum and/or training programming includes various “modules” for different participants and applications. The most popular modules for Music Educators and/or Music Therapists are the Drumtastic, Ability Beats, and Rhythm in Motion programs.

Drumtastic

The Drumtastic program is rich with over 100 lessons integrating kinesthetic awareness, cardiovascular conditioning, and follow National Core Music Standards.

Lesson objectives include:

  • Creating
  • Performing
  • Responding
  • Connecting

And most lessons integrate the following musical concepts:

  • Form
  • Tempo
  • Steady beat/rhythm
  • Movement-loco-motor and non-locomotor

Designed for:

  • Music, PE, cross-curricular classrooms Grades K-8
  • Music therapy for groups and/or individuals
  • Recreational music making for before or after school programs-ages 6 and up

The Drumtastic Curriculum contains many options to fit your budget needs! Let’s decide together

  • How do you like to access your lessons?
  • Do you like to have all of your manipulatives ready to go and accessible?

Many of these factors will help you decide which kit is right for you!

 

Drumtastic Full Curriculum Kits are the complete instructional kit with over 100 lessons and is offered in multiple formats and add-ons.

This is perfect for the teacher who wants to fully immerse in the Drumtastic programming!

  • Curriculum Kit A comes with the online subscription and Kids Beat Vol. 1 digital download.
  • Perks of this Kitall digitally accessible!
  • Curriculum Kit B comes with all the components from Kit A and a Teacher’s Manual with over 100 lesson plans.
  • Perks of this Kit-you get the digital component AND a printed manual containing every lesson plan.
  • Curriculum Kit C includes all the components of Kit B plus Teacher Resource Box with over 300 Activity Skill Cards.
  • Perks of this Kit-you get the digital components AND a printed manual containing every lesson plan, AND a resource box that contains all of the teaching resources and manipulatives that accompany the lessons. You won’t have to print any off or cut anything out. It’s all ready to use!

 

Drumtastic Curriculum Mini Kits are a smaller version of the full curriculum, including 15 lesson plans that are taken direction from the full curriculum kits.
The Mini Kits are perfect for the teacher that wants a small taste of what Drumtastic can offer!

  • Curriculum Mini Kit A comes with the online subscription and Kids Beat Vol. 1 digital download.
  • Perks of this Kit-all digitally accessible
  • Curriculum Mini Kit B comes with all of the components from Kit A and Teacher’s Manual with 15 lesson plans.
  • Perks of this Kit-you get the digital component AND a printed manual containing every lesson plan.
  • Curriculum Mini Kit C includes all of the components of Kit B plus Teacher Resource Box with over 300 Activity Skill Cards.
  • Perks of this Kit-you get the digital components AND a printed manual containing every lesson plan, AND a resource box that contains all of the teaching resources and manipulatives that accompany the lessons. You won’t have to print any off or cut anything out. It’s all ready to use!

Remind me (you ask): What comes with the online subscription?

Each online subscription includes the following (and remember each full AND mini kit come with an online subscription!):

  • Access to the Drums Alive website for one year which includes:
  • Over 140 downloadable/streaming film clips and activity demonstrations
  • Choreography videos
  • Music
  • Teaching resources and support
  • Digital download for Kids Beats Volume 1

If you’d like sample lesson plans to try out the Drumtastic Kits, we have those available for you, just contact us!

Now that you have an idea of the curriculum you might need, let’s talk about equipment! We created the Drumtastic 2.0 collections for individuals and groups participating in Drumtastic lessons and activities. Each participant needs their own “drum set” for the Drumtastic experience! A “drum set” refers to one stability ball, one Drums Alive bucket base, and one pair of drumsticks. Next, each trainer/instructor/teacher should have a setup of three “drum sets” in total. This accommodates “mirroring” and leading from the front of a group.

 

Pick Your Drumtastic 2.0 Instrument Collection!
There are several options available and include scarves, drumsticks, stability balls, egg shakers, Boomwhackers, and bases. All of the components of the 2.0 Collection will complement the Drumtastic curriculum lesson plans!

If you’re going to fully immerse in the Drumtastic programming, here’s what we recommend:

  • The Trainer Kit is designed for the instructor/teacher/trainer (best seller)
  • The Participant Kit is designed for individual participants

Classroom sets:

  • 20 Participant Set
  • 25 Participant Set
  • 30  Participant Set (Best Seller)

Other options, just need a “drum set”? We have two options available.

  • The 55cm drum set is recommended for students in grades K-2 or participants needing a lower playing surface
  • The 65cm drum set is recommended for students in grades 3 and beyond or participants needing a higher playing surface.

 

Ability Beats

Coming soon Fall of 2020! Ability Beats has been designed specifically for music educators, music therapists, recreational music makers, and others needing more methods of modifications to lessons to help students with physical, emotional, or behavioral adaptations. These lessons are focused around music and movement but can also be used to fit your specialized themes and lessons. This program is all-inclusive and accessible for all.

Designed for:

  • Music, PE, cross-curricular classrooms Grades K-8
  • Music therapy for groups and/or individuals
  • Recreational music making for before or after school programs-ages 6 and up

Check back for more information!

 

Rhythm in Motion

Rhythm in Motion is a program and curriculum based off of the Drumtastic content that explores rhythm, movement, and celebration with the celebration of music at its core.
Lesson objectives include:

  • Creating
  • Performing
  • Responding
  • Connecting

And most lessons integrate the following musical concepts:

  • Form
  • Tempo
  • Steady beat/rhythm
  • Movement-loco-motor and non-locomotor

Designed for:

  • Music, PE, cross-curricular classrooms Grades K-8
  • Music therapy for groups and/or individuals
  • Recreational music making for before or after school programs-ages 6 and up

Rhythm in Motion Starter Kit contains 5 lessons that include an online subscription that will give you access to printables, videos, and music.

We created the Rhythm in Motion 3.0 collections for individuals and groups participating in Rhythm in Motion lessons and activities. Each participant needs their own Rhythm Lid “drum set” for the full experience! A Rhythm Lid “drum set” refers to one Remo Rhythm Lid, two West Music 5-gallon buckets, one Remo Bucket Band that connects the buckets, and a pair of drumsticks. This is the basic setup. Drums Alive bucket base, and one pair of drumsticks. Next, each trainer/instructor/teacher should have a setup of three “drum sets” in total. This accommodates “mirroring” and leading from the front of a group.

 

Pick Your Rhythm in Motion Instrument Collection!

If you’re going to fully immerse in the Rhythm in Motion programming, here’s what we recommend:

  • The Trainer Kit is designed for the instructor/teacher/trainer (Best Seller)
  • The Participant Kit is designed for individual participants

Classroom sets:

  • 20 Participant Set
  • 25 Participant Set
  • 30  Participant Set (Best Seller)

Setup tip: Each trainer/instructor/teacher should have a setup of three “drum sets” in total plus the accessories. This accommodates “mirroring” and leading from the front of a group.

 

Learn More About Stability Balls

For best results, make sure the latex-free Stability Ball is fully inflated when in use. The 65 cm stability balls may be inflated up to 81 inches in circumference. Stability Balls measuring 55cm may be inflated up to 69 inches. For younger (grades K-2) or seated players, we recommend the 55cm Stability Ball. Then for 3rd grade students through adult populations, we recommend the 65cm Stability Ball. When inflating the stability balls for the first time, fully inflate the ball and let the materials sit overnight (or for a few days) before using. This action will allow the material to stretch. Then, you may add a little more air into the stability ball to reach the desired circumference. Each stability ball comes with one plug puller and one ball plug. Extra plugs are also available.

Pump It Up!

The Airhead Inflator Pump packs a big punch in a small package! Because it comes with several different nozzles, you can also use it with other products. The best part is that the inflator pump also deflates the stability balls quickly! We recommend wearing earplugs when using because of the noise this pump produces. The Airhead Inflator Pump is sold separately.

 

Attaching Scarves

Some assembly is required to connect the scarves to the drumsticks. We recommend using hair bands because they’re more durable and more accessible to remove. Watch this video for tips on attaching your scarf to a drum stick.

Storage Support

Many teachers are in mobile classrooms, so here is a system help you store and move your Drumtastic 2.0 collections.  The West Music Rolling Storage Tote holds 33 deflated stability balls to quickly roll into your classroom.  Additionally, Drums Alive bucket bases stack on top of the tote to optimize your space.

 

Drums Alive Apparel

 
 

Additional CD and DVD Resources

The best seller among music educators is Kids Beats-Vol 4 and MoreVol. 4 contains 20 songs and instructional videos focusing on the warm-up, drumming, cross-cultural connections, wellness, and cool down.
 

So, I made it to the end of this blog, now how do I get started?

  1. Drums Alive trainings occur all around the world. You can take a live training from their creator and founder or from one of their highly skilled Master Trainers OR you could be virtually trained from the comfort of your own home. ALL trainings are conducted by Drums Alive, more information can be found on their website. *REMEMBER: Trainings and/or certifications can ONLY be taken from Drums Alive.
  2. If you’re not able to take a training another option is available to get you started moving and grooving! Purchase a Drumtastic, Ability Beats (coming soon), or Rhythm in Motion Curriculum Kit to start incorporating lessons into your classrooms!
  3. Purchase instruments and accessories that complement the program or training of your choice. West Music is the Exclusive Distributor of Drums Alive instruments and accessories that complement the curriculum and training programs and offer CDs, DVDs, and is an authorized reseller for the curriculum.
  4. Call us if you have any questions or need tips for setup of instruments and accessories, storage, or choosing which curriculum will fit your needs.

 

We’re here to help in your Drums Alive journey!

Tereasa Evans

Tereasa Evans

Tereasa Evans is the Music Education Consultant for Classroom Percussion and Wellness.  She has her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and her Master’s of Music in Percussion Performance, has her Level I, II, and III Orff-Schulwerk certification, has taught elementary music in the state of Florida for 10 years, along with participating in and directing various indoor, marching/DCI, and percussion ensembles throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Florida.  She has performed on many platforms including symphony orchestras, world music ensembles, drum corps, and drum circles.  Tereasa is also certified in Remo HealthRhythms facilitation, Beat the Odds, and currently pursuing her Drums Alive Master Trainer status.  She manages products for music therapists, music educators and the general hobbyists specifically related to unpitched percussion in an elementary music classroom.  She works with West Music’s own music therapy department to produce and provide instruments to meet the needs of music therapists not only for the in-house department but customers around the country.  She also works with major percussion manufacturers to meet the needs of her customers.  Whether she’s striking, shaking, scraping, drumming, or breaking instruments it’s all for a good reason and to benefit her customers.