In their book The Power of Moments, Chip and Dan Heath identify four traits common to those unforgettable positive experiences in our lives that we'll always remember. We're talking about the magical moments that somehow change your world. These traits include ELEVATION from the everyday norm, PRIDE in our accomplishments, new INSIGHT into our selves or the world around us, and CONNECTION to others. Elevation happens when the experience is above and beyond our usual day-to-day. Pride occurs when we've accomplished something difficult or beyond our expectations. Insight happens when we gain new perspective and understanding. Connection happens in the presence of peers, friends, or family. Our most memorable moments tend to have one or more of these things happening during the experience.
D4C's programs cultivate and curate all of these components. In a Facilitated Interactive Rhythm Experience, you're suddenly part of a collaborative (rather than competitive) group activity built upon the process of creating in-the-moment music. You're encouraged to bang on things and make noise. That doesn't happen for most people on most days. That's ELEVATION.
Our events are built upon a series of small successes so that you learn that you, too, can be a part of the band and that together we can create beautiful in-the-moment music even when we have no previous experience. Often we'll invite participants to share something they've created that the group can then echo and repeat. You're given voice, and you're given acknowledgment from others. You can take PRIDE in the accomplishment of putting yourself out there in new ways.
Particularly in leadership or youth development programs we like to invite someone into the circle to take a turn conducting the group. Suddenly you're put in charge and invited to lead the ensemble; that doesn't happen to everyone every day, either. Because the experience has been fail-proofed, you're guaranteed a success when the group responds to and follows your directions. This creates INSIGHT (for you and for them) that you, too, can be a great leader of people.
And since we're doing this with our classmates, co-workers, congregations, and communities, we're doing it in CONNECTION to others who get to see us in a new light, to witness us as bold and courageous, literally standing head and shoulders above the rest, beyond the scope of our normal existence.
ELEVATION. PRIDE. INSIGHT. CONNECTION. That stands for EPIC! That's what we do here at Drum for Change: we create unforgettable EPIC Rhythm Events -- with you.