Fushicho Daiko "Phoenix Taiko Drummers"

Approval Type

Community Based

Artistic Discipline

Folk Arts Performing

Program Type

Performances, Workshops, Residencies, Lecture/Demonstation

Populations/Areas of Interest

Grades K-6, Grades 7-12, In School, After-School / Out-of-School, Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults, Intergenerational, Persons with disabilities, At-Risk, Underserved

Artistic Approach

As a community based group our main function is to entertain. We do many performances each year in the state of Arizona for organizations that want to entertain, and educate/expose their populations to new art forms and new cultures. We love to perform and share this wonderful musical skill with people of all ages and cultures. We have been together since 1992. We rehearse a minimum of 4 hours a week, often 6 or 8, and we spend at least 2-4 hours training understudies to someday join us as professional taiko players. We all teach taiko as well. Our dojo (studio) is dark only two nights a week and sometimes only one. Our director, Esther Vandecar learned this art form in Japan. She played professional for a year before her return to the U. S., and she taught Japanese people how to play taiko for a year or so. Her philosophy is that everyone open to the experience should be able to know the kind of healthy high that taiko is capable of providing. It is not easy to master, is not a fast study, but the process makes you forget the time commitment. Lifetime friendships are made in our dojo. The players in each group become a team. That's what makes them good performers, not natural talent. And all of the groups in the dojo commune with each other socially, and as team mates. We perform as a group called "All AZ Taiko Team" at Matsuri each year, 40-60 people strong; from 5 to 70 years old. If you haven't seen this show yet, it is awesome. Please make it a point to come to Matsuri in 2009. The product we create is a lifestyle that provides a passionate direction for young and old that supersedes even the best TV movie. JOIN US!

Usually two or three players team teach. We prefer to each have a separate class, and classroom, to teach 1) 'Taiko', the art of Japanese drumming 2) Percussion instruments, fue (a Japanese flute-the recorder can be substituted), and voice music (kuchishoka, in Japanese) 3) Culture including sociology, language, origami, calligraphy, folk songs and/or dance.

The process is teacher/student rote learning.

The product will greatly depend on the amount of time the artists are given to work with the students. A one hour class is a fun, enriching experience. A one week or more residency when the teachers work with the same students each day (usually 3 or 4 core classes) can produce a performance with traditional costumes where the students perform what they have learned and display their artwork.

Our overall philosophy is to widen the horizons of people who would like to be exposed to other cultures and art forms. We want to help people celebrate the differences in the culture of Japan and their own. We like to demonstrate to them the joy and energy for life that doing something healthy, with passion, can do for you. It is like people who jog every day describe: it releases endorphines that make you happy you were born.

Teaching Artist Approach

Each member of Fushicho Daiko teaches because of their desire to share these art forms with as many people as possible. Taiko and the other Japanese art forms we present have lead each of us down a different path in life we might have otherwise taken. A path that is richer for the opportunity. We want to share this possibilities with others. Discovering a new art form to express yourself and share with others is a wonderful way for children and adults to discover new skills and improve their self esteem as well as increase their sense of community and involvement.


We work with the students in a way that builds upon their knowledge, always adding more information and skills. This applies to all the programs we offer: Taiko, percussion, fue/recorder, origami, calligraphy and dance. In the real world, we recognize that some people are more capable than others, and time is a factor that must be considered. It takes years to become a professional drummer, to fold intricate papers, and to write the complex but beautiful Japanese kanji. So we temper our expectations to suit the occasion. The philosophy is to open minds to all the wonderful opportunities for rich inner growth that are out there, and we are offering a Japanese sampling. Hopefully it is an experience the students never forget, regardless of whether they continue this study or not.

Program Management Strategies

The main role of the Teaching Artist is to coordinate and organize all the elements of a successful residency. Each of the Teaching Artists has extensive experience performing and teaching the various aspects of Japanese culture. Many materials to share with the staff and students (books, movies, videos, personal experiences, are supplies, etc.) provide a rich learning environment. Organizational skills, communication skills, teamwork and flexibility are key to developing and implementing the program, scheduling and leading meetings and providing positive and effective classroom management. Each of the Artists have lead Residencies as individual artists but also team taught with the other members. It is a highly effective approach to providing a well rounded program for the school and community

Program Description

The multi-disciplinary approach of this program allows for a complete arts and cultural immersion. Japanese Taiko, dance, calligraphy, origami, percussion instruments, fue (bamboo flute) and Kuchishoka provide each student with a multitude of opportunities to gain insight into the Japanese culture and society, how it differs from the United States and how it is relevant to their lives. So many opportunities to be creative allow students to discover a new interest, a new talent that will improve their self esteem and their motivation to learn. Age appropriate activities are presented based upon the framework of the Arizona standards, the students cognitive development and most importantly through teacher experience and observation.
During an extended residency, the enthusiasm for the program builds in the students, faculty, staff and administration. A final performance is vital to completing the artist process for the students; their opportunity to share their new skill with an audience. The students excitement is something they share with their family, subsequently, the family knows many things about the program and Teaching Artists before the final presentation. We have already, to a certain extent, become part of the educational family of the child and many parents are eager to make contact with us and they share their child's enthusiasm of these new experiences.

Technical Requirements

During residency: portable CD player

Final Performance: 2 microphones, portable CD player or ability to play through the house sound system.
Video recording equipment.

Space Requirements

Based upon the different programs offered, there are varying requirements.

Taiko: 30' x 30' clear space, adequate lighting and ventilation. Storage of drums in same location is ideal. Must be secured when not in use.
Dance: 30' x 30' clear space, adequate lighting and ventilation
Calligraphy/origami: 8' tables, 1 per 8 students (4 for 32 students). Must be secured when not in use.
Percussion instruments:
fue:
kuchishoka (Voice Music): flexible, can be done in the classroom, among desks and tables

Supply Requirements

Supply requirements for a performance would be non-existent. The venue would need to provide a minimum of one mic, 3 if available, and a staging area large enough for a minimum of 3 players, 20x20. If we have understudies with us, or our children's taiko group the space requirements grow to 30x40.

If we are teaching a community class for a day there are no supply requirements except paper for Ken Koshio to do origami and calligraphy with, school stashes acceptable.

If we are team teaching for a week Ken will need approximately $300 for paper and ink, depending on the number of students. Ken needs an empty room with 8 or 10 large tables and newprint.

Esther will need $50 for drum stick replacements. Esther needs a bear classroom in a space that noise is not an issue.

Eileen will need $50 for percussion replacements. Eileen can use a regular classroom with desks but her lessons will make some noise, so be advised.

Special Considerations

The standard Arizona class size of 24-29 children works well with the many programs offered. In a residency of 1 week or longer, core groups that plan on providing a performance for the school and community will need to meet at least 3 times. With a longer residency of 2 weeks to one month, the core groups will be able to meet up to 6 times. This allows the core groups to immerse themselves in the program and provide a more authentic experience for them and their audience. The performance venue needs to be a cleared area 50' x 50' (a cafeteria stage is ideal). The Artists need to have access to the space at least 4 hours before each performance to allow for decoration and movement of equipment and instruments. The stage must be secure from unsupervised access.
An evening performance is highly recommended, for the students to share their new found skills and enthusiasm with their families and the community. We highly recommend contacting the local news agencies so the greater community can be made aware of this performance and so the connection between education, the arts and student success can be observed.

References

Diana Larowe, Executive Director
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
602-256-3204 office, 602-228-0650 direct

Arif Kazmi, P. E. PhD
Asian Advisory Council to Gov. Napolitano
602-712-8889 office

Melanie Olm
Cultural Art Coalition co-founder
480-580-6257

Fees

Assemblies are $1000 for one 45-60 minute performance with or without a hands-on experience. Two back to back assemblies are $1800. A school or community can choose to have just a performance without a residency if there is no funding for it.

A Fushicho Daiko Residency is: $750 per day or $3500 per week for 20 hours split among the three artists. The supply fee for the taiko component is $50, percussion, etc. is $50, and for the Origami, Calligraphy, Dance component the supply fee is $300. The $300 is negotiable if the school has paper supplies that are suitable. There is mileage for three cars when applicable. The total starts at $3900 plus an assembly which is recommended but no required.

Educator/Staff Training

We highly recommend a staff orientation before the residency begins. This allows the teaching artists to present their artwork and share their philosophy, teaching method and goals to the teachers. Communication between the school/community and artists is vital to designing and creating a program that allows for arts integration and transfer of information to other subjects and areas of life. We provide worksheets on vocabulary covered, access to books on the various cultures and arts of Japan as well as the opportunity to ask questions and clarify points within the presentation. Providing clear expectation goals of students, staff, faculty and artists will enable all to participate in a productive and positive program

How Arizona State Academic Standards are Addressed

The many Japanese art forms presented in a Fushicho Daiko Residency provide ample opportunity to incorporate Arizona Standards. They include Music, Band, Art, Dance, Social Studies, Science, Math.
Our commitment to teaching as much of the culture and arts of Japan in a program naturally includes information that is educational and informative. This is so the audience and participants have a greater connection and understanding of this unique culture. This, in turn, may increased desire to learn more and widen their understanding and perception of Japan.