Creative Special Projects

START Research Program

Bob Gatzen and Billy Ashbaugh began their development of START in the form of research. Both drummers are auditing music classes in a variety of Elementary schools. They are targeting grades 4-6 (9-12 year old children). The objective is to learn as much as possible about this age group and observe methods educators employ. They’re doing their homework!

They created an exposure/research program that further explores the effectiveness of the duo’s concepts on idea making. Their audiences are focus groups made up of 20-50 children, specifically selected by the educator hosting the event. The group is broken down into students from the music department, to children less interested or not oriented in the arts. The schools were intentionally selected ranging from absentee to accelerated music programs.

Starting START - On November 20-23, 2002, three performances were presented and the response was overwhelming. The kid’s reactions exceeded expectations and to add to that, the educators enthusiasm and willingness to contribute was downright inspiring. In fact, parents and art counsel members showed up to check the show out. It made it on local NBC news and newspapers!

Our deepest thanks to Jeanne Marker from the Brunton Elementary School, Steve Perry from Highcrest Elementary School, and Rob Hugh at Wolcott School for their hard work and tremendous enthusiasm.

The "START WITH THE ARTS" program at my school had the children mesmerized.
The children loved helping to create the drum composition where they could choose from a menu of suggestions determining how the drum duo would play. Most of the students were in awe just being in the same room with two professional drummers and two drum sets. It meant a lot to the children when they were told that everyone had creativity and when it was discussed how ideas are made and developed. This program left quite an impression on my students; they are still talking about it!

After the program, we talked about other subjects where they could apply the creative process, especially in their writing. It meant a lot for them to hear about being creative and working hard from two people who just wowed them with their drum performances. The next time their reading teacher talks to them about developing their ideas in reading, they will have a much better understanding of what its' like to get an idea and how to develop it. Many of the children left the program inspired to do more in music and some now want to play the drums!
Jeanne Marker, Brunton Elementary School, Springfield, MA

Here are a few highlights of the exposure program:

Performances- the duo opens with a blazing drum duet based on rhythms derived from popular music for this age group.
Interactivity- a musical performance is composed and produced by the kids by choosing compositional elements from a menu handed out before the seminar begins. The kids are able to choose items from the menu that shapes the musical composition. In the finale, the children are invited to join the group by adding a melodic “chant” led by the music instructor.
Questions and Answers- What is inspiration? Where do you get your best ideas? What is brainstorming? How do you know when you have a good idea? Etc.
Idea making on the Drums- the duo demonstrates how the drums are an idea-making machine.
Handouts- each student received a pair of signature drum sticks and a copy of the Warner Bros. DVD, “Takin' Care of Business” produced by Bob Gatzen, featuring Billy Ashbaugh, and the “NSYNC band.

Penfield Productions, Ltd. - a production crew is on hand to document every performance for review and to capture special moments with the kids. These clips will be used as a documentary for multi-media show planned for future START programs. It is called, Kids for Kids.

Future- The drum duo meets again in January to fine-tune their program and to finalize plans to launch 10 new programs for early March. Eyes wide open!