These
passionate amateur drummers have also been trained in Japan under
Sensei Hatsumi Ishikura
of Kantou Abaredaiko. Exchange programs were held with overseas
daiko groups and friends from Nihonkai
Taiko of Kashiwazaki City and Kamikata Taikoren - Japan, Mr. John Ko of Soh Daiko from the United
States of America and Mr. Mark Alcock of Greenwich Meantime Taiko, United
Kingdom.
In
March 2007, the drummers embarked on another trip to Japan to
train intensively under Mr. Hiroyuki Hayashida, a well known Okedo
instructor and taiko player with the group “Zi-Pang”. A brief
training session was held with Japanese Folk Entertainment Performance
Company, Araumaza Taiko, which widens the drummers’ experience of playing
drums with the accompaniment of flute, percussions and singing. The drummers also had a rare opportunity
to attend a Miyake workshop conducted by Mr. Akio Tsumura, who taught the
original form of Miyake to the world renowned taiko
group, KODO.
Outreach
programs were introduced regularly at community events, schools and
corporate functions. The first children’s
taiko group in Singapore’s
primary schools was initiated by team leader and coordinator, Ms. Sue Kwek BBM, who voluntarily helped to start and train
students of East Coast
Primary School in the
year 2003. Each year, a small group
of Kampong Chai Chee PCF Kindergarten children, as young as 6 years old,
gets to play and enjoy taiko. These
children bring cheers and joy on stage performing at their graduation
concert ceremony.
Kampong
Chai Chee CC Daiko aims
to promote traditional and contemporary styles of Japanese drumming. This special group of “all ladies”
drummers also seeks to explore new musical dimensions such as incorporating
other culturally unique musical forms, composing, creating their own music,
sing and even dance to the beats of TAIKO. Team effort, passion, discipline and
intensive practices; drive the group to attain recognition and
commendations in their performances at numerous events.
Japanese
drumming is a challenging physical exercise for all age groups. Drummers are trained to swing their arms
high and wide with stylized coordination of legs and body movements. This form of drumming produces thunderous
beats and rhythms which can be enjoyed across diverse cultures.
Come
and enjoy the vibrancy of TAIKO!! Discover a way to keep yourself
physically and mentally active; and de-stress the fun way.
Training
classes are held on every Wednesday (except
public holidays) from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Kampong Chai Chee Community
Centre. Sign up as a Passion Card
member now and enjoy six (6) months training at just a nominal fee of $60 ($70 for non-member). A free trial lesson is available on the first
Wednesday of each month. For more
information and reservation of trial lesson, please call the CC at 62419878
or email us at daiko@ekampong.com.sg
Choice of Attire Performances Pictures Our drummers in caricature Record of Events &
Performances
suek
