Drumming with Deaf Students

Drum Works has been working with Newham Music on their Feeling Music project since September 2014, delivering weekly sessions with a group of deaf and partially-hearing students at Lister Community School.

Drum Works Tutors have been working with a core group of six participants at the school, leading sessions that focus on the non-aural sensations of playing music including feeling vibrations and exploring musical expression. The group have collectively developed a way of communicating that blends our hand-signals with British Sign Language, the Tutors and participants learning from each other. We are now in the early stages of trying an integrated ensemble that brings together deaf, partially-hearing and hearing students.

Incloodu Festival

We were delighted that the group were invited to perform at Incloodu Deaf Arts Festival in 2015 and 2016.

About Feeling Music

Feeling Music is led by Newham Music and provides free, high-quality music provision for deaf and partially-hearing children in Newham, supporting them to develop musical skills with the aim of integrating them into mainstream orchestras and ensembles. There are a number of different activities going on within the project, including regular sessions in a local primary school and on Saturday mornings at Newham Music Academy.