Every Friday evening the Southgate Theatre in Honley reverberates to the infectious rhythms of Brazilian samba drumming.
The enthusiastic sound, made by the 20 or so members of the Honley Samba Band, fills the hall to the rafters and can even be heard in the car park outside.
Playing a range of percussion instruments – from drums to bells – the musicians are taking part in what is probably one of the oldest human recreational activities, an activity that, like choral singing, has proven health benefits.
Band leader Katie Mallard explains: “Humans have been beating drums since the beginning of recorded history. It promotes wellness and a sense of community.”
A Cambridge psychology graduate, 32-year-old Katie discovered samba drumming at a workshop in her final year at university and was instantly hooked. She led a group in East Anglia for eight years before moving to the Holme Valley.
“I noticed how samba infected people and changed how they felt,” she said. “Studies show that group drumming is an effective way to reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. Drumming is also a fun way to exercise and provides a gentle aerobic workout. Research suggests that drumming not only serves as a distraction from pain and grief but actually promotes the production of endorphins, responsible for blocking pain signals.”
Katie has members aged from 11 to 60 in the Honley band, with children and parents playing alongside each other. One of the founder members of the group, which was launched in 2013, is 13-year-old Bruno Parish from Holmfirth.
He attends the drumming sessions with his mum Sarah Latimer.
“Bruno wanted a drum kit but I said he should try drumming first,” said Sarah, “I found Katie’s group and we came along. Drumming for us is a social activity, not at all like playing the drums on your own at home.
“Every Friday night we come here and have a break from whatever else is going on. I’m not a musician and at first I didn’t get it (the drumming) but now I do. It gives you a huge sense of achievement from learning something new and my confidence has soared from doing gigs. We have both agreed that whatever state of mind we are in when we arrive we always feel better afterwards.”
Bruno, who finally got his desired drum kit after joining the group, added: “If you are feeling angry you can take it out on the drums.”
Another group member, landscape gardener Duncan Bradbury from Honley, has also felt the health benefits.
He explained: “I had never done anything musical before but thought I would give it a go and here I am two years later with my own drum.
“I found that I could just switch off from what I had been doing in the week. You are in a group of diverse and interesting people and you come out of it feeling energised. You can built up your stamina so it’s a good workout as well.”
While Katie grew up playing the electric organ and played in the percussion section of an orchestra, she says previous musical experience is not necessary to learn how to drum. And for those who don’t want to beat one of the traditional Brazilian ‘surdo’ drums, there’s a choice of other percussion instruments, such as shakers and bells. Katie provides all the instruments so there’s no outlay for members, although Duncan bought his own surdo second-hand on ebay.
Honley Samba Band is not the only one of its kind in Huddersfield. The Slick Stick Sambastic community band, which meets at Huddersfield University and was led by Katie last year, also teaches and performs Brazilian drumming rhythms.
Both bands are always on the lookout for new members. Katie believes that they can offer valuable support to those in need of an activity to relieve stress, pain or emotional trauma. She would also like to work with people with sensory impairment or disabilities.
“We’re open to everyone from 11 to 100 and all backgrounds,” she said.
The Honley band performs around six gigs and recently played at the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk in Leeds. Its next gig will be at the switching-on of the Honley Christmas lights on Saturday, November 21, around 5pm-6pm.
Details of how to join Honley Samba Band can be found on www.honleysamba.com and how to join Slick Stick Sambastic on www.slicksticksambastic.com
