Rhythm of life
Elementary youth plan to drum their way to capital
Drum instructor Randy Markham leads the group on the drum set during rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon at the Churchrock Academy. The group is holding a fundraiser on Saturday from 12-5pm at Sammy C's in an effort to raise money to make a trip to play at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. in June. [Photo by Brian Leddy / Independent]

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

CHURCHROCK — A group of local elementary school pupils have been invited to Washington to perform at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian on June 1, but first the pupils have to raise enough money to make the trip — approximately $25,000.

The Steel Drum Band from Church Rock Academy will be holding a community family day to raise money at Sammy C’s Rock N’ Sports Pub & Grille in downtown Gallup Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

Though the band began only eight months ago, it has already put on at least 20 performances with prestigious audiences such as the New Mexico Legislature and various tribal leaders.

 “This is an exceptionally good group,” Randy Markham said. Markham has been leading the children in their practices three times a week after school as part of the Boys & Girls Club of Gallup after school program.

The children, though only in fourth and fifth grades, act like professional musicians, Markham said. He added that they get standing ovations everywhere they perform.

Students learn to play a number of instruments including treble guitars, congas, bongos, steel drums, bass pans, and maracas.

For their concerts, the children start off with flute music inspired by Native American music before a rhythmic beat kicks in provided by djembe drums, which were carved from wood out of West Africa . Another song features drum solos from each of the students. Later during the concert, a more Caribbean-style of music is played.

For some, it was only their third rehearsal. Markham, who has a doctorate in world music, said that he teaches the elementary pupils the same way he taught college students.
“It’s probably the only one like it in the world,” Markham said about the band.

He said that playing in the Steel Drum Band helps pupils improve cognitive development, memorization skills and self-esteem.

One of the biggest benefits that the students enjoy is the opportunity to travel. Band members Nicholas Ben and Sean Yazzie joined for that very reason. Both have been in the band for about eight months now.

The other reason Ben said he joined was “just to have fun.” Yazzie said he hasn’t been to Washington before so he is hoping the band can raise a lot of money to go.

Jesse Hosteen is one of the newer band members and he joined because he wants to play at the Smithsonian.

“It’s kind of fun,” he said.

Shawndanae Chavez echoed his sentiment.

“It’s fun and I never got a chance to do this,” she said. She is looking forward to playing in front of people in D.C. and enjoys playing the djembe drums.

Tamariah Arviso said she joined, “so I can learn how to play steel drums.”

She enjoys helping the other pupils as they learn.

In a letter to the pupils and Markham, Vincent Scott from the NMAI said that the museum was impressed with the DVD that Daniel Balke, music coordinator for the Steel Drum Band, sent.

“You clearly demonstrate a commitment to helping your students master music, which can both instill pride in their own heritage as well as to expose them to other cultures, such as those of an Afro-Caribbean heritage,” Scott stated in the letter inviting the group to perform.