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Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is a drum circle/rhythm
program?
2) What are the benefits
of a rhythm program?
3) Is a rhythm
program right for my group?
4) How long does a
typical program last?
5) How do you create a
coordinated series of programs for companies?
6) It sounds great, but it
seems unusual. I'm unsure whether all of the members of our group
would enjoy it.
7) What are the fees for your services?
8) What facilities/logistics do your programs require?
9) Do you sell drum and
percussion packages?
10) Are your programs
available outside of Colorado?
11) Do you carry
liability insurance?
1) What is a
drum
circle/rhythm program?
First, we create a fun, dynamic, empowering atmosphere in
which everybody feels comfortable participating, regardless of experience. We use a variety of rhythm techniques,
activities and instruments to customize each program and accomplish your
objectives. We also
provide each person with a drum, shaker, and/or other percussion instruments
that they can use to creatively express themselves during the program.
Within
minutes, your group will be playing rhythms and making music through
their collective spirits. We then facilitate the learning
process to unite your group. The drum circle and rhythm program serves as an
experiential learning process for understanding and developing teams,
valuing unity through diversity,
resolving conflict, enhancing communication skills, developing leaders,
releasing stress, wellness awareness, or any number of programs that we
customize to each client.
Ultimately, our drum circles and rhythm programs have a unique ability to connect people
in a deeply meaningful way that continues long after the music ends.
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2) What are the benefits of a rhythm program?
Group empowerment drumming develops
self-expression, creativity, and powerfully builds unity
through diversity. It promotes listening and
communication skills and breaks down barriers
between departments, associates, and people.
More than that, it’s energizing, fun, and an
experiential based means of learning.
Our consultant, Jonathan M. Crowder, JD, has trained directly with
neurologist
Barry Bittman, MD, and Christine Stevens, MSW, MT-BC, through the Health Rhythms™ program sponsored by Remo drums. Dr. Bittman
and Ms. Stevens developed the Health Rhythms™
protocol.
Dr. Bittman conducted landmark research published in Alternative Therapies in Health and
Medicine, 2001, which showed that Health Rhythms™ programs release stress and increase the disease
fighting activity of white blood cells that kill cancer cells and
virally-infected cells.
Also, in a
groundbreaking research study published in Advances in Mind-Body Medicine,
November 2003, a Health Rhythms™
program was conducted over six weeks with employees at a long term care
facility. The intervention improved employee emotional well being and cut
employee turnover by 18.3 percent, which resulted in substantial cost savings to
the company. More specifically, the intervention is proposed to reduce
employee turnover by 11 employees per 100 beds. In the study, the
intervention exceeded those expectations. With an industry average cost of
$8,100 per employee turnover, the direct cost savings for a facility with 100
beds would be $89,100. And, the principles and program applied in the study can be adapted to a wide variety of
companies.
Health Rhythms™ Research
Press Release
for Research
(November 2003)- Recreational Music Making
Significantly Reduces Employee Turnover in Long Term
Care Facility
Press
Release for Research (July 2004)-
Study Finds Group Recreational Music Making Relieves
Stress and Burnout in Nursing Students
Press Release
for Research (February 2005)- Recreational
Music Making Reverses Stress at a Genomic Level
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3) Is a rhythm program right for my group?
Our programs are highly successful and effective with a
wide variety of groups- organizations, sports teams, educational institutions
and schools, keynotes, not-for-profits, at-risk youth,
spiritual/personal growth retreats,
and more. We offer individual or a coordinated series of programs on building
team spirit, health and wellness, personal and spiritual growth, celebration,
and community
building. We also have programs for groups of
up to 1000 and more. And, we adapt our
programs to address each group’s specific issues and needs. An important
part of our services are our preprogram consultations to understand
your group or organization.
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4) How long does a typical
program last?
A typical program lasts for an
hour to two hours, depending on each client's needs. One hour
is typically a minimum for a program, but depending on your group's needs we
will be happy to customize a program to meet your objectives. We also
specialize in designing half, full and multiple day workshops and retreats to
further layer the learning experience for each participant. If we're conducting a coordinated
series of programs over weeks or months, then each program builds on
the learning from the previous program. We'll adapt to meet your
needs. Our programs can be particularly beneficial when we have the opportunity to
consult with an organization over an extended period of time.
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5) How do you create a coordinated
series of programs for organizations?
As consultants, we seek first
to understand each client's specific issues, needs, and objectives. Then, we actively
address those needs through a customized program.
As an example, we conduct a coordinated series of six-week
Health Rhythms™ programs focused on reducing employee turnover in
high employee burnout workplaces. In a recent landmark research study, a
series of Health Rhythms™
programs was conducted for six weeks with the staff and employees at a long
term care facility. The program significantly improved employee emotional
well being and cut the turnover rate by nearly twenty percent. More
specifically, the intervention is proposed to reduce employee turnover by 11
employees per 100 beds. In the study, the intervention exceeded those
expectations. With an industry average cost of $8,100 per employee
turnover, the direct cost savings for a facility with 100 beds would be $89,100.
Additional Health Rhythms™
research with nursing students produced
nearly identical results. The research
projects that a six-week Health Rhythms™
program can dramatically improve nurse retention
rates producing annual savings of $322,000 for the
average 280-nurse acute care hospital.
Press Release for Health Rhythms™ Research
Published November 2003
Press Release for Health Rhythms™
Research Published July 2004
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6) It sounds great, but unusual.
I'm unsure whether all of the members of our group would enjoy it.
Our programs are consistently fun and highly successful,
even when clients thought they were taking a chance. We create an
atmosphere that empowers everybody to feel comfortable drumming, regardless of
experience. And, people overwhelmingly respond to the opportunity to make music. We've worked with people of different
backgrounds, occupations, ages, cultures, ethnicities, religions, and gender.
While some people may initially be skeptical, we use a variety of
tools and techniques to create a "safe space" for everybody. We've also
worked with many people claiming to have no rhythm, who then discover their
innate rhythm through our programs. One of our favorite sayings is that if
you have a heartbeat, then you naturally have rhythm.
Ultimately, we aim to empower each person to feel free to
express themselves and have fun. As they then contribute their music and
spirit to the circle, the group begins to unite rhythmically and create their
song. We
facilitate a learning process of understanding and developing this unity, then "get out of the way" and help the group listen and
experience itself in a new, connected way. When that happens, the newfound
connectedness of the group emerges and continues beyond the experience of the
circle. That's the magic for us and for your group.
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7) What are the fees for your services?
Our fees are determined by several factors such as the
size of your group or organization, location, the extent of our services, etc...
Please contact us for a proposal.
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8) What facilities/logistics do your programs require?
- A room, preferably carpeted, that's large enough to accommodate your group
seated in chairs in a
circle
- Depending on the size of your group, the circle layout may include
concentric circles with no more than 20-25 chairs in the inner circle
- A sufficient number of chairs for your group, preferably without arms to
facilitate drumming
- A wireless lavaliere or headset microphone
and
audio-visual needs depending on the size of your
group
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9) Do you sell drums and
percussion packages?
Yes. We can include drums and percussion packages as
part of our services. We're endorsed by Remo drum company and recommend
their products.
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10) Are your programs
available outside of Colorado?
Yes. We are based in Colorado,
but we provide programs nationally and internationally. As a Remo endorsed
facilitator, we have access to drums and instruments worldwide.
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11) Do you carry
general liability insurance?
Yes.
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Peak Rhythms, Inc
(o) 303-499-0520
info@peakrhythms.com |
