This term, Year 5 are lucky enough to be receiving Djembe drumming lessons each week, as part of the Year 5 music curriculum.

The Djembe drum originates from West Africa, and roughly translates “everyone gather together in peace”. It’s certainly an exhilarating experience to drum together, but it is anything but peaceful!

Under Caz Wolfson’s expert instruction, the children are learning how to manipulate the drum to make several different sounds, (bass, tone and slap) and at different volumes. They are also further developing how to accurately copy a rhythm, and how to maintain a consistent tempo. And on top of all of this, how to listen to each other and stay “together” as a collective.

It is wonderful to see the children build on their musical knowledge with these new skills; the concentration and joy in the room is palpable!