Austin Taiko®: Information
and History
AUSTIN TAIKO® was founded in 1996 by co-leaders
Martha Durham and Bob Boyko in Austin, Texas.
The performing members are:
Mary Durham, Mieko Horne, Dave Reed, Mary Ehrichs, Sarah Martin,
Michele Tracy,
Rodolfo Guillen, Aya and Nogah Seidemann, Mary Skiles.
Taiko is the Japanese word for "great
drum."
Taiko are unique, dynamic and powerful instruments
that have been used for centuries as a traditional part of cultural
festivals,
celebrations, and religious ceremonies.
They have been used as a source of communications
between villages and in war to frighten the enemy.
In recent years taiko has been rediscovered
and reinvented and put into concert form for worldwide entertainment.
Taiko is a combination of art and sport.
It requires many hours of practice to learn the
rhythms and choreography.
Teamwork and cooperation are essential to perform together in
unison.
Much of the taiko played in the United
States is correctly called North American Taiko.
The basic techniques and instruction have their roots in classic
Japanese taiko, currently
new music is being written by the off-shore groups. AUSTIN TAIKO
performs
both traditional style songs and contemporary adaptations. The
concept of mental and
physical discipline combined with teamwork remains the same.
AUSTIN TAIKO is a developing community
group.
Our hope is to introduce this wonderful form of musical expression
to the Central Texas area,
and to recruit a diverse group of participants, both on-stage
and off-stage.
Some of our goals and priorities are
to:
- Strengthen the principle of cooperation
and teamwork
- Reinforce the value of self-discipline
and personal responsibility
- Improve dexterity and coordination
- Emphasize good posture and correct
playing form
- Improve health awareness and physical
fitness
- Promote pride in personal accomplishment
and stimulate self-confidence
- Increase attentiveness and self-control
- Introduce rhythm comprehension
- Develop and exercise the ability
to recognize musical patterns and perform them in unison with
competing rhythms
- Release stress in a positive, joyous
way, and appreciate the gift of the vibrations from the taiko
Venues
Multicultural events, Asian festivals
and parties, motivational meetings,
educational assemblies/events, business meetings or greetings
for Japanese business executives,
private parties and weddings, sound design for live theatre productions
For information on performances, school demonstrations,
workshops contact Martha Durham by e-mail AustinTaiko@aol.com