Beechworth and Rutherglen Secondary Schools Rock to the Beat - Dec 1, 2009

The Primal Beats Drumming Program in Beechworth and Rutherglen has finished on a very rocking note. Last week students from both secondary schools performed concerts at lunchtime. Beechworth performed an awesome drumming gig with local rapper Josh Lovett. The students loved the performance and also enjoyed Melbourne musician and ROAR Role Model Arik Blum belting out a couple of songs on guitar along with Travis Demsey on the drums.

Rutherglen Secondary had a lunchtime gig called 'Jam Sandwich'. Not only did the drumming performance pull the crowds but two popular bands from the school played gigs also. The drumming performance not only included local rapper Josh but Eli a local Beat Boxer also worked in with the drumming performance.

Both schools would like to continue with the program and the student's feedback was one of confidence and amazement at how good their drumming skills had become. The majority of participants stated that they felt more confident as a result of the workshops and that the Primal Beats facilitator Travis Demsey inspired them to take on new challenges " Just from hearing about Travis's childhood and how he was able to do something he loved for a job is great" one student commented. All the students involved stated that there was nothing that didn't like about the workshops except that it finished.

Primal Beats facilitator Travis Demsey said the program is not just about drumming "My aim is not to necessarily teach kids drumming, it's about the power of believing in yourself and following your dreams whilst understanding that we all will face and overcome obstacles in our lives". The workshop owes its success to the support of the Local School Focused Youth Services, Indigo Shire and in particular Brendan Ryder who organised the workshop with Primal Beats.