Schoolchildren respond to drumbeat of Japanese music

Members of the University of Otago taiko drumming group O-Taiko (from left) Sabrina Goh, Mabel Wong, Prof Henry Johnson, Yoshimi Kurosawa and Michael Templeton inspire Macandrew Bay School pupils, including (front row, from left) William Mooney, Josh Dickinson and Lachie Carman (all aged 5 and in year 1), to follow their drumming lead. The youngsters are using rolled-up magazines as drumsticks. Photo by Jane Dawber.

The Japanese taiko drumming group O-Taiko, led by Otago music department head Prof Henry Johnson, performed for about 150 school pupils at the Macandrew Bay Community Hall, Dunedin, and also encouraged them to try the compellingly distinctive rhythms themselves.

Many pupils responded with shrieks of delight and a colossal pounding on the floor with improvised drumsticks.

The event was organised by Asia New Zealand Foundation young leaders Anita Perkins and Sian Halcrow, both of Otago University, to help promote one facet of Asian culture to city primary schoolchildren. The foundation promotes integration of aspects of Asian culture into the school curriculum.

Macandrew Bay School principal Bernadette Newlands said the class had been "wonderful for our kids".

Ms Newlands said the chance to learn about another culture had been positive and written teaching materials developed by the two young leaders had also proved helpful.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz