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And The Beat Goes On
Group Gathers For Regular Drum Circles At Windward Beach
By Joseph Kienzlen
 | | --Photo By Joseph Kienzlen Group leader Terry Brown plays the didgeridoo (a large wooden trumpet of the Australian Aborigines) during a recent performance of the Gathering Tree Drum Circle. Considered a member of the percussion family, the didgeridoo was originally used by the Aborigines to mimic the sounds of their natural surroundings. These sounds can be mixed with droning to create rhythms, which is how the "didge" is used as a rhythm wind instrument. |
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It is said that everyone marches to the beat of a different drummer, but over the next few months, those visiting the township's Windward Beach on Wednesday nights will have the opportunity to enjoy that march with dozens of (mostly) local percussionists.
Not new to nearby residents, the lure of their melodic thunder echoing through the park in a celebration of fun and community can be heard long before one enters the area.
The group, the Gathering Tree Drum Circle, has spent the past several years entertaining hundreds of visitors (all of who are invited and encouraged to participate) at the mid-week performance held at the park's gazebo.
"The Gathering Tree is more of a loose association than an organization," said the group's facilitator, Terry Brown, who said he got the idea of the drum circle after visiting a few in North Carolina.
"It's a way to build the bonds of community and friendship through the making of rhythmic music," he said. "We have no official membership list and we charge no fees to those wishing to play. If you grab an instrument and join in the rhythms, you're a circle member. Everyone is welcome to gather with us."
Brown said participants need no drumming experience to join and the instruments used vary from commercially available hand drums to shakers made of a handful of marbles inside of a wooden box.
Brown added that there are always a few extra instruments available for those without instruments of their own.
Equipped with a variety of percussion instruments (including bongos, congas, maracas, cowbells, tambourines and timbale to name a few), the participants range from about a dozen to several dozen depending on the night, according to Brown. "We're a cross section of talent and age groups," he said. "Professional musicians perform side by side with those with no musical background and a mix of seniors and children participate."
Brown, a teacher in the Brick Township School District, founded the circle in June 2006 as an audience participation interlude during intermissions in the township's Summerfest Concert series.
Although that idea was abandoned, the circle has continued to participate in a number of community events including performances at nursing homes, the Brick branch of the Ocean County Library, Take Back the Night, a benefit for victims of domestic violence, and the Brick High School Art and Poetry Society. The circle's most recent event was the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Future events include a benefit to improve handicap access at the Brick High School.
The group has also preformed with several professional musicians and visitors from Africa, Egypt and recently a family from India, according to Brown.
Barry Denten, 17, Toms River, a drummer and first-timer to the event, described "the concert" as "awesome."
"I'll probably come back a few more times," Denton said. "I'd like to sit in with them next time."
Billy Ridgers, Brick, agreed and offered a suggestion. "It's was really good. With the price we're paying for gas now, it's good to find something like this in Brick. I think it was really very good, but they should sell water."
Charter drum circle member Siobhan Cline said she finds the experience selfsatisfying.
"It releases a lot of the day's stress and is very relaxing," she said. "Drumming is your feelings and you bring those positive feelings to the circle and to the others who are here. Whether you're here playing or just watching, it's very good for the soul."
The Gathering Tree is sponsored by the Brick Optimist Club.
"The Brick Optimist Club has been generous sponsors of ours and we look forward to joining them again in a number of upcoming community events," Brown said.
"We are thrilled to be able to sponsor the drum circle," said Brick Optimist Club President Andy McConnell. "It's that kind of feel good community program that Brick and the Optimist Club have always been recognized for. It's something that the entire community can participate in or just stop by and enjoy the park and all this talent."
"Drumming is a great stress reliever and many believe it has health benefits," Brown said. "An autistic child, a couple of kids with ADHD and another with Tourettes often join the circle and their families report that it has made a difference in their lives," he said. "I don't make any specific health claims, only a promise of a social gathering that builds community, makes music and above all else, is fun."
For more information about the Gathering Tree Drum Circle, contact Brown at 848- 333-7001.
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