The last Sunday of April, we celebrated Earth Day with Polynesian tribal style drums playing along with the choir, and we sang, clapped, and swayed to Jamaican drum beats and other rhythms of the earth. You may also have recognized our Earth Day friend, drummer (and singer) Tom Voigt, who has played his African djembe (pictured), drum set, and other percussion instruments from various cultures of the world with us.

The beat of drums is like a global heartbeat; peoples from many cultures dance and chant and celebrate to these rhythmic pulses. Our UU songbook and hymnal include some songs and chants of the world that have us clapping and dancing! The circular head of a drum, a circle of drummers (like we had on the patio a few years ago when some of you played drums, perhaps for the first time!), a circle dance, holding hands and singing ‘in the round’ all express how we value unity and community and inclusion as we celebrate the ‘circle of life.’

An old Zimbabwean proverb says that “if you can talk you can sing. If you can walk you can dance.” And I might add — “if you can feel your heartbeat you can drum.”

Please consider adding your drum beats (and/or your voice) to our community here. Our music department has a small collection of drums and percussion instruments . . . and plenty good room in the choir, too!