Rhythmic Motivation : University Freshman Orientation Programs
Promote conscious listening, teamwork, effortless leadership and clearer communication through rhythm.
with Jim Donovan
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WATCH RHYTHMIC MOTIVATION VIDEO
Rhythmic Motivation
Immerse your students in an energizing day of drumming ecstasy with internationally acclaimed educator/performer Jim Donovan. This program is designed to help students learn more about themselves through the ancient art of group hand drumming. Help your students feel enlivened, relaxed and focused as they discover new a strategies for conscious listening, de-stressing and the value cooperative effort through rhythm.
WHAT IT IS:
A custom-designed program in which your students focus on building purpose and connection with others, deepening listening skills, exploring ways to enhance creativity and developing new leadership skills. Experience this groundbreaking program which is helping multitudes of people find new approaches for interpersonal success through the power of drumming together.
WHY IT EXISTS:
Because when you take a common object and ask everyone to actively participate in and share it, an extraordinary thing happens – people evolve from being separate, vulnerable, competitive, insecure individuals, to joining together as a cohesive whole - an entity fostering mutual respect, communication (particularly listening), honesty, equality, and imagination.
Suddenly, the twenty disparate, self-conscious freshman have morphed into “team rhythm.” Why? Because they were required to put aside all preconceived notions, all labels, all differences and work together to create a unified whole.
And, all the while, they relaxed, laughed, communicated, and “saw” each other in a whole new light.
WHERE IT HAPPENS:
Virtually any space:
• Large enough to hold the group
seated in armless chairs.
• In which it is perfectly ok to be loud!
• Preferably In-doors
HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES:
Variable. Each program is custom designed to fit the situation.
Usually 50 – 90 minutes per session
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
It was a pleasure to have Jim on campus. He puts on the type of interactive event that easily gets students involved. Jim is a total professional; he quickly puts people at ease and soon has the entire group drumming in unison. Programming at a two-year college can be difficult. Jim’s event grabs everyone’s attention. We had busy, stressed-out nursing students take the time to join Jim for two sessions! He’s great!
-Eoin Kinnarney
Director Student Activities Gloucester County College
"During this session I felt a major release of all that was troubling me. It was a unifying experience where I felt like there was only me and one other person in the room. This alone was comforting because I usually have trouble with performance in front of as many people there as there are. The beat, the rhythm, and especially the sound all contributed to this unifying and I felt that there weren’t any more problems. No problems with pain, no issues at work or home, no issues with anything. I could beat it into oblivion where it belongs – like nothing else matters. That’s the ultimate feeling I had…that nothing else mattered.
-Stacie Tkach
Student Saint Francis University
"Extremely engaging and enlightening; when the students finally "got it," you could see it on their faces and feel it in the room."
-Dex Tuttle
Assistant Director for Programming
PA College of Technology
"It's obvious from his performances the Jim Donovan has a way with drums; even more impressive is his way with people.
By the end of the evening, our students were pounding out complex rhythms and having a great time doing it!"
-Dave Maslar
Director, Student Activities
Broome Community College
MORE DETAILS:
Rhythmic Motivation focuses on building purpose and connection with others, deepening listening skills, exploring ways to enhance creativity and developing new leadership skills. Experience this groundbreaking program which is helping multitudes of people find new approaches for interpersonal success through the power of the drum.
Jim’s relaxed and humor infused style of teaching is non-intimidating and all-inclusive. Drums are provided. No experience required.
This is completely hands-on /interactive program.
DURING THE EXPERIENCE YOU WILL:
Develop a stronger rhythmic foundation as you learn about yourself
Feel purpose and connection as you play music in an energized group setting
Deeply explore rhythms from around the world
Learn to express your creativity through music
Sharpen listening skills and dexterity
Learn how to create your own rhythms and solos
Leave feeling enlivened and focused
KEY CONCEPTS
1: Hearing versus listening
Group drumming demands that you learn to hear subtleness. You learn to hear more than one thing at a time. You learn to hear more than just yourself.
2: Level the playing field
Level the playing field, remove the hierarchies, and learn to know each other on different terms. Creating music together creates lasting bonds between people unlike any other. By putting all of your students (faculty included) on the level playing field of group drumming watch how the hierarchies and cliques melt away and you each begin to see the importance of player in the room. Strengthen interpersonal relationships.
3: Effortless leadership
Create more effective leaders by turning them into deeper listeners.
Play (lead) in such a way that you create space for others
Consistency.
Lead others to lead themselves
4: Find your own voice
Learn the power of individual contribution. In their expression individuals make a unique contribution to the success of the entire group.
Group drumming is the perfect metaphor for relationships in the University environment. Each player learns how to balance their creativity and expression while supporting others in their own pursuits
5: Melt stress
Watch inhibition and stress melt away as your students begin to let go and have fun.
6: Push boundaries beyond preconceived limitations
Drumming with intention: The more conscious the group intention is, the stronger the result will be. Being unafraid to make mistakes.
7: Cooperation instead of competition
Bring your students closer together by giving them the experience of making music together. When all players are working in full cooperation, full focus, extraordinary music results.
Create a common ground and a solid sense of community by uniting participants as a team. Play as one drum.
Want to book a memorable Orientation event, show or workshop for your school?
Email us:
info@JimDonovanMusic.com
Jim Donovan Biography
Jim Donovan is a current and founding member of the multi-platinum band Rusted Root. Jim has released 3 solo CDs as well as 4 instructional drumming CDs. Jim has also recorded with with Triloka recording artist Krishna Das on his highly acclaimed CD “Live on Earth”.
Fulfilling his desire to share the power of rhythm first hand to people, Jim has built a series of educational drumming workshop programs that he teaches across the US at universities, festivals, schools, corporations, festivals and specialty venues. He is an Instuctor of Music at Saint Francis University and is the current director of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble.
Jim is a featured columnist in Drum! Magazine the worlds number one drumming magazine. Jim was nominated for “Best Rock Pop Percussionist” in the 2004 Drum! Magazine Readers poll .
Full Bio Here
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