Recently, a group primarily of seniors were jammin’ at Victory Centre in Bartlett, Ill., beating exotic drums at the behest of music therapist Rita Lopienski, who also gave the downbeat.

“Drumming Circles,” as Lopienski refers to her groups, also were given the lowdown on the origin of the drums that a group of 10 residents were playing.

There were drums large and small from Africa and India, and even a buffalo drum made by Native Americans. A necklace-like percussion instrument crafted of animal toenails drew interest, but few opted to use the instrument.

Before long, Lopienski was leading her charges in a concert of sorts, during which participants beat out rhythms expressing happiness, a rainstorm (with thunderstorms) and even a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was observed Monday.

Lopienski has been spinning her circles for about 10 years. But she noted that the internationally acclaimed therapy was being presented for the first time to Victory Centre residents.

“I have led drumming circles for the arts in Bartlett organizations,” she says. “We have a summer arts festival under a tent that we call the ‘world tent,’ where I lead drumming circles. It’s very popular, especially with families.”

Lopienski, who earned a master’s degree in music, says her curiosity about instruments of the world eventually led to drumming circles and her collection of off-beat drums.

She says drums are one of the most ancient of instruments, dating back tens of thousands of years. “They’re used for healing and rituals and celebrations and weddings throughout the world,” she says.

“They’re used in worship services; and in Africa, drums are used to communicate,” Lopienski notes.

She explained the history of each drum before passing it out to participants, who seemed nearly as enthusiastic as Lopienski herself as they strummed or pounded away on the instruments.

According to Lopienski, drumming circles are therapeutic even for groups of people who are physically or mentally disabled.

“It’s a group experience – you’re with a group of people who are having fun – but it’s very personal, too,” she says.

Source: Mike Sullivan/ Suburban Chicago News