Arts News, June 7

Yui Kitamura, Music Teacher
June 10, 2019

Groove to the Beat: Bucket Drumming Elective

This week, students in the grades 7 and 8 bucket drumming elective class performed their final drumming routine for the Belmont Day community. In the seventh and eighth grades, students learn more complex drumming technique and choreography that build on techniques used in sixth grade. Students work on drag ruffs, paradiddles, as well as choreography that allows for line and circle formations. They came up with a routine that consists of four one-minute sections, comprised of at least two types of drumming strokes, and one type of choreography.

According to a 2013 study, group drumming improves the social and mental wellbeing of at-risk students. The implication of the study is that group drumming improves self-esteem as well as nonverbal communication of students. Furthermore, small drumming groups can improve group cohesiveness and mood. It has been absolutely phenomenal and a privilege to witness the musical and social growth of our students in music class. They not only work on nonverbal cues and rhythmic accuracy but on social bonding and interaction. Check out this performance video to see the students in action!

More Arts News

Fourth grade students have been working on graphic notation through the study of minimalist composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Arvo Part for our final unit of the year. For their project, students walked around to observe the sounds of BDS, and create a composition using layering, shapes, and abstract art.

The second grade class poses together at Gaining Ground.

BDS

May 26, 2023

We are proud to present the final tally for our second grade changemakers’ efforts to raise funds for Gaining Ground. During Read for Seeds, this group of second graders read 59,774 pages in two weeks and raised $5,097.84 to support…

By John O'Neill, director of athletics |

May 26, 2023

The boys’ lacrosse team exploded for five goals in the fourth quarter against Shady Hill this week for a come-from-behind 7-4 win. The win was the team’s third straight, improving their record to 5-3 and guaranteeing a winning season with…

BDS

May 26, 2023

Fourth Graders Tell Many An Ancient Tale Last Thursday was the fourth grade’s annual Greek Storytelling Festival. Students retold ancient tales and toured their guests through a classroom museum. The museum included architectural marvels, the Hall of the Gods, ceramic…

By John O'Neill, athletics director |

May 12, 2023

With three games on the docket, Belmont Day’s ultimate program put its best foot forward this week in a trio of competitive contests. The JV team got things going with a home game against Waldorf on Tuesday afternoon that saw…
Scroll to Top