Oshkosh Rhythm in the Oshkosh Area Schools

We've recently had the opportunity to work/play with students from Merrill Middle School and Read Elementary School. Although our goals have not been performance oriented, a group of students decided they would like to share their love of the music with the Oshkosh Area School Board. See the video below. 

The students are a mixture of ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. Some are just learning english. Watching these students find and share their creative spirits with others has been a real treat! Helping them learn to use recreational music making as a coping mechanism to help deal with the many challenges they face has reaffirmed our dedication to our mission. And the smiles they unleash while playing...super fulfilling!

Oshkosh Area Students perform Fanga for the school board. Oshkosh Rhythm Institute has been working/playing with some students in the area for a couple months. Even though our goals with them are not performance based, they choose to share what they have learned and did a great job!

The ORI presents at the first TEDx Oshkosh

It was an honor to be invited to the first ever TEDx Oshkosh. It was made even more awesome because I had the Oshkosh Rhythm Ensemble to help out and a willing crowd to join in for some real community style "in the moment" music making.

This unique presentation explores the use of recreational music-making to promote mental, physical, spiritual, and community wellness. Robin Cardell has been facilitating community drum circles in the Fox Valley area for 25 years, and during that time he has facilitated many rhythm based events for area schools, church groups, drug and alcohol treatment programs, and assisted living facilities.