D.R.U.M.: Discipline, Respect, and Unity Through Music: Elementary / Middle School Percussion Ensembles

Solomon designed D.R.U.M. specifically to reach students who fall outside traditional ensemble tracks, transforming a perception problem into an asset. By anchoring percussion study in music from four continents, he creates natural motivation while building the discipline and listening skills that transfer to any musical setting. The 56 pages give you enough material to sustain a group throughout the year without feeling scattered.

Percussion ensemble music that swings with energy and clarity. The rhythmic conversations across multiple parts create a sense of forward momentum, while the global influences bring textural variety that keeps students engaged and curious.

General music teachers looking to build an optional ensemble for interested students, and band or choir directors seeking a gateway experience for younger percussion players. It's also ideal for schools wanting to include students who haven't auditioned for traditional groups or who arrive mid-year.

• Start each rehearsal with one short pattern everyone already knows. This builds confidence before tackling new material and gives late arrivals a way to enter without disruption.
• Record the group weekly and listen back together for five minutes. Students hear their own progress and catch balance issues that teacher ears miss in the moment.
• Assign rotating leadership roles within sections. Asking a student to 'lead the shakers this week' shifts responsibility and deepens their listening to the ensemble.
• Use the global repertoire to connect with your school's cultural diversity. Invite families to rehearsals or ask community members to share context about the music's origins.

Launch a D.R.U.M. group as an open enrollment option during fall sign-ups; the 56-page collection supplies a full year's worth of material for weekly meetings. You can also mine individual pieces for assembly performances, family nights, or as supplemental activities in general music classes exploring world music traditions.

• Reading rhythmic notation in multiple simultaneous parts
• Listening to and balancing independent lines within ensemble texture
• Executing consistent, clean strokes on pitched and non-pitched percussion
• Responding to visual cues and conducting patterns from a leader
• Sustaining focus and discipline during group rehearsal
• Experiencing music from African, Brazilian, Chinese, and American traditions