‘Taiko SouthWest’: developing a ‘new’ musical tradition in English schools

Abstract

This article reports on a project to establish taiko drumming groups in schools throughout the southwest of England. The project is funded by the National Foundation for Youth Music (YM) which aims to increase access to music-making activity for young people in the UK. Taiko is a relatively new phenomenon in the UK. In the southwest, Kagemusha Taiko, a professional company, has been performing and teaching for 6 years and has built a strong reputation in both. The current project is focused on the professional development of teachers in achieving the aim of establishing a permanent foundation for taiko in schools across the region. Thirteen secondary schools and two primary schools were involved, and taiko was offered as an after-school activity.

Keywords

access to music making arts policy community music

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