Drum circle will provide community healing

Fran Crutsinger
Fran Crutsinger

Community healing and helping others are the driving factors behind a community drum circle on Oct. 25.

The drum circle, open to the entire Radford community, is set for 7 p.m. on the lawn in front of McConnell library, Muse Hall and the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences.

Fran Crutsinger, a Music Therapy student, said that she came up with the idea because she wanted to help the community and the victims of both natural and man-made disasters.

The drum circle follows the rich history of drum circles at Radford University, which have been used to provide community healing in times of need.

“We can use music to help these people and bring music into people’s lives in a positive way so people aren’t afraid to engage in music and group music making,” Crutsinger said. “I thought a group drum circle would be the best way to do that.”

The circle will feature hand-held drums, including African drums and recreational drums.

The drum circle will be facilitated by music therapy students as well as others who have experience in this type of setting.

“It will be organic and take on a life of its own,” said Jim Borling, a professor of Music and director of the Music Therapy program. “Every now and then some structure will be provided a structure so it doesn’t get chaotic. A drum circle is lively and gives people a lot of good energy.”

Crutsinger said that the drum circle allows anyone to participate, even if they don’t have a background in music or play an instrument.

“When I thought of the idea, it was a way to remind people that they are not alone in what they are feeling,” Crutsinger said. “If you are angry, upset – it isn’t just you. Bringing people together in this experience reinforces that we are not alone. Everyone comes together and experiences the same thing. Everyone is together in their expression.”

Donations will be accepted at the drum circle with proceeds going to the Red Cross and National Compassion Fund.

Oct 18, 2017
Max Esterhuizen
540-831-7749
westerhuizen@radford.edu