If it seems like the grade six and seven students at Cache Creek Elementary walk to the beat of a different drum, it might well be because they do!
The Cache Creek World Percussion Ensemble, known as Passport to the students and staff at Cache Creek Elementary, was formed under the direction of music teacher David. Dumont at the beginning of the school year and has rapidly become part of the school’s culture over the last few months. With their first public performance at last December’s Christmas concert behind them, Passport is currently preparing a number of percussion pieces to be performed at the end of the school year that will illustrate their mission to celebrate cultural differences and promote social responsibility through music.
This was a message that has apparently rung true with the staff and management of People’s Drug Store in Ashcroft as Store Manager, Irene Dumont, was on hand at a recent Passport rehearsal on the behest of store owner Victor Ikari to present the group with a Bass Djembe or Djun Djun. The Djun Djun is an extremely special edition to Passport as it is often considered the heartbeat of the djembe ensemble and will be featured prominently in all our concerts to come. With this gift, students at Cache Creek Elementary now have the opportunity to have an authentic experience discovering, playing and performing music from varied cultures.
People’s Drug Mart’s contribution is greatly appreciated by the students and staff of Cache Creek Elementary and is an outstanding example of how local business owners have supported, and continue to support, our student’s growth into well-rounded, community minded individuals that will, one day, be leaders themselves.
David Dumont