ByreRhythm, its aims, history and members.
ByreRhythm has been an established taiko drumming group since 2003. The group developed out of a
drumming class offered by the Byre Theatre’s Haydays Arts Project for the over 50s. By the project’s very
nature, all Haydays members are of an older age group and the age range of ByreRhythm’s 14 members is 50
something – 70 something!
Many of those who signed up for the initial 6 week class probably didn’t imagine they would continue to drum with
great enthusiasm for many years.
All bar one of the members are female but the only male in the group joined shortly after the group was founded
and shows no sign of being intimidated!
Although all the members now live locally, their origins range from Banff to London, from the west coast of
Scotland to Wales.-
The members’ careers are extremely varied – the group includes teachers, scientists, an army welfare officer, a
nurse; others who have worked in advertising, in electronics, with the BBC (including working on the original Dr
Findlay’s Casebook) and with people with learning difficulties.
ByreRhythm’s aim is to promote the art of Taiko drumming in Scotland through performance and by offering,
both to children and adults, workshops which are tailored to individual requirements. Simple rhythms are learned
first by chanting and then by repetition on the drums. The combination of different drumming patterns and
synchronised movement creates an exciting aural and visual experience which is beneficial to both physical and
mental health and a great stress buster!
Whether you are young or not so young, you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun with this invigorating and exciting
form of drumming from Japan.
ByreRhythm is trained by Fiona, a professional percussionist whose career has included working with the Halle
Orchestra and the BBC Orchestra in Manchester, and with an opera theatre orchestra in Passau, Bavaria. After
ten years in Germany, she returned to her roots in Fife where she continues to work as a freelance percussionist
and part time percussion instructor.
Her interest in taiko drumming began a few years before the formation of ByreRhythm when she encountered
Mugenkyo, the professional taiko drumming group, and was inspired to learn this new art of drumming. She
attends their workshops whenever she can to learn from them.
Click below to play the ByreRhythm rehearsal video:
ByreRhythm, its aims, history and members.
ByreRhythm has been an established taiko drumming group since 2003. The group developed out of a
