Every so often, you have a situation where someone surprises you with their dislike of something you love. That’s what happened today on the first day of the Teacher Art Retreat. Don’t get me wrong, it was a WONDERFUL day full of creativity, great people and fun. But, well, here’s the story.
After lunch the majority of us started a drumming circle jam. It was wonderful and we were in an entrancing and exciting groove. People were playing off of one another, filling in spaces with their instrument’s sound, chatting back and forth with rhythm, when into the room from the sunny outdoors, barged an older gentleman. His hair was white and cut quite short, he was dressed smartly for a brisk summer’s day, but the imposing the look on his face alarmed me that something was wrong. I, the organizer of the retreat, sprung up and went to greet him.
“Are you the instructor?” he asked abruptly.
“Yes,” I replied.
“No music! There is no music here!” He shouted. The stern look on his face let me know he was very serious and the finger he darted across the air only emphasized his distaste.
A few more words were spoken. I was willing to oblige. Honestly, the whole thing stunned me, I didn’t know what else to do. He lives in an apartment above us and does not appreciate noise of any kind. I didn’t even think to let him know we would only be playing for 15 minutes each of the three days.
After he hurried out the door, I walked to the group who was still playing a steady groove as they watched the scene play out in front of them. I brought the group to a decrescendo and we all stopped playing.
The day the music died – That’s what one retreater thought of the whole experience.
So – should we stop and not play tomorrow? That is the question. What brings us so much community and joy is a heinous intrusion to another.
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your comments!
~EMP
I think we came up with the solution today. We take the drums outside and play in the shade. It’s a happier location and the sound is dissipated into the entire out of doors. If rain were pending, we might have a problem. But he said no music inside. No body owns the outside.
To be honest with you, Elizabeth, I was enjoying myself so much at your retreat in the company of such engaging people, that I forgot about that grumpy neighbor. Now that you mention it though, this is a concern, particularly where “drumming” is part of our retreat experience!!
So now I’m thinking that we need to stand our ground. It’s a temporary situation, and the actual time that we’d spend drumming is so limited, we ought to go ahead and DRUM. Let Mr. Grouch deal with it. Let him call the cops! Seriously!? He must be such an unhappy person, it’s exactly the kind of thing he needs. Let’s GIVE him a drum when he comes down again!!! (Or we could go outside again…that seemed to work!) ….where the heck did he come from??!!?
It would truly bring me joy if he would join us! 🙂
I say, PLAY ON!
Our creating is risky, but far more dangerous is the act of submitting to silencing our creativity and expression.
As a “Cultural Center”, the space is leased for the three days for our acoustic (not amplified) expression. A “Cultural Center” is just that, a centering of culture that we bring to one another in exploring the gifts we have to offer. To share, produce, process and procure Artistic Culture, creating our own culture together. I felt that man’s noise to be equally as invasive and offensive as he may have found our musical offerings. I suspect an invitation to him to join us would be shunned, but should he choose (and isn’t this all about choices?/!), to become “Centered” in culture with us, he could also risk finding his own place of illumination (thank you Louise and Renee), and risk “Lightening up” his heavy heart.
Our rhythmic caucophony , the rendering of conversational beating was and remains as natural as the beating of our very own human hearts. In fact, it is there that I believe our own “Center” was born together today and since time began.
I am certain that individuals with less empathy or sensitivity would simply dismiss his reaction. We however, have taken it to heart. It must be a terribly empty echoing of sadness to not know what we experienced today. I am grateful to know the kind of resonance that we felt, shared and will continue to empart to others when this venture is complete. For now, however, we are journeying and a detour or temporary jam in the flow cannot dampen our enthusiasm to continue on. I cannot imagine myself jumping out of my car to paint it a different shade to subscribe to others at the side of the road who prefer a different shade than mine. Or to endure the shrill honking of another’s horn meant to drive me forth into a different direction. I have neither the time, the energy , nor the tolerance for this. I believe in my classroom I would approach this kind of behavior with understanding in harmony with a strong chord of reality in disueding its impact. Even children know and entitle this behavior “Bullying”, and for that, I have zero tolerance.
Rock on Rhythm Renderers!
Holly
In all honesty, I am conflicted. I want to give all the retreaters the experience of drumming (and with such a wonderful group!), but of course I want to be respectful of the inhabitants of the building. I think of it as if a neighbor was playing loud rock music. Personally, I wouldn’t mind, but I know a lot of people would. Things to consider…
Also – there is the real possibility he does call the police!
One last thing – We have to deal with these types of situations in our classrooms too. What is too loud? How do you work around these situations of disturbing your neighbors in your own school? (Why do you think music rooms are always set away from the rest of the school? 🙁 )
This will certainly conjure up some great conversation today!
I like the compromise you came up with–drumming outside. Next year — you need a new music-friendly venue for sure!
Hello,
I wanted to make everyone aware of an arts integrated K-8 school in Salem, NH called the Birches Academy. I perused their website and was inspired by what they are accomplishing there. Maybe we can invite some of the teachers that are actively integrating the arts into their curriculum to next summer’s retreat! 🙂
Create a short song/chant inviting him to join you or at least let you play during a certain time of your retreat. Rehearse it with drums (quietly)–Then go to him (or his window) and play him your invitation!
It could work!
Wouldn’t that be so cool??? We must always find the balance between invitation and annoyance though… 😉
So… today we played! It was pretty cool, really. We started with one drum leading with an ostinato and the rest of use played with egg shakers. But after a while of that, one player grabbed a drum, another sat down with a finger piano, then one decided to grab a beach ball and pound it to the floor to the rhythm, another grabbed a drum, a tambourine came into play and as each player added a new element some wonderful music emerged! It was lower key and had a new flavor of interest. Fine job today! I truly enjoy playing with all of you!
I look forward to posting some footage on YouTube soon. 😉