Getting the city's drummers all together in one group was an unbeatable idea.
Two of Prince George's most prominent percussionists - Tony Tabora (of the bands Subtotal and Sound Addiction Lite, among others) and Miguel Mori (Prince George Symphony Orchestra and other projects) - took the first steps about two years ago. They were soon joined by the likes of Mike Martin of the Prince George Community Band, Nick Tindale of Bright City Heights. At the moment there are about 20 drummers on the list of members in a group they all call Tympana Percussion Society.
"Some of us read music, some of us only play by ear, some only play in drum groups, some have only ever played in rock bands or country bands. We all fit together," said Mori. "Drumming is a universal language. You can go anywhere in the world and you'll find drumming circles or percussion groups, and you can sit in and join them right away. Everyone knows something a little different, brings a different accent to the sound of the group, and has something to teach."
"In the community band, you have to perform exactly what's written or the song doesn't work," said Martin. "If that's the kind of drummer you are, it's nice to get a chance to explore sounds and styles you never get a chance to play in your regular drummer life."
Tympana (which is a word pertaining to the human ear drum) has regular meetings at the Zahirah Middle Eastern Belly Dance studio. Whenever Zahira or fellow belly dancing group Amanita have events, Tympana is often called upon to provide the beats. They also hold performances at Shiraz Restaurant, at The Black Donkey Caf, and they are finding themselves invited to an increasing number of public events.
With so many members, it is impossible for everyone to always be at each session, so no two Tympana gatherings ever produce exactly the same sound.
"It means the pressure is off the members to always be there, which is nice, because people have different things going on in their lives - who can attend everything? - and it means the dynamic is always changing so that keeps things interesting, too," Martin said.
Tympana was a big part of the Canada Day In The Park mainstage entertainment on Wednesday, and local audiences have several chances to feel their rhythms again soon.
They are booked for Summerfest on July 19. They have their own Shiraz show on Saturday night, and all of it is leading to their first major drum extravaganza coming up on July 25.
A Day Of Drums is initiated by Tympana Percussion Society but it involves many people and many places throughout the day.
"We are all about collaborations," said Mori. "We collaborate with the belly dancing groups, with the public because we will often get the people watching to pick up a shaker or a hand drum and join the sound, we mix the Latin with the jazz and the rock with the classical or world-beat. We try to involve everyone. We know events like this have happened in other communities, but we can't find any signs that it has ever been done before in Prince George."
The event is split into three parts. The morning is entitled Explore and takes place at the Black Donkey Caf from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. where percussionists and the creative leaders from MakerLab will show how different percussion instruments are made, you can make your own, or just see how it's done, all for admission by donation.
The afternoon portion is called Discover. Again, it is admission by donation at the Black Donkey.
Experienced percussionists like Mori and Granville Johnson will give workshops on the cornucopia of drums and their spectrum of sounds. It runs from 2-4 p.m.
The evening segment is called Celebrate held at Art Space inside Books & Company. It starts with a 6 p.m. workshop and exploration of drum sounds, a show-and-tell by various drummers with their equipment, then bursts into a full drum and dance event. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
"It is a real celebration of drumming, the universality of drumming, how it goes back deep into the roots of cultures but it is also classical and electronic looping and street," said Mori. "There is no sense of competition between drummers, because no two are exactly alike, there is no end to the ways of playing and the opportunity to play, and we all prefer to work together and support each other."
"This event is also about bringing out the drummers," said Martin.
"There are so many in town, but they are underground. We were at Moore's (the men's clothing store) and discovered another drummer just working there. They are everywhere. Well come on out, we want you."
The group has a Facebook page and a website for easy contact, and they are always open-armed at their public appearances.
