IPC Japanese Drummers Perform in City

1 August 2003

Free Friday Lunchtime Concert, Friday August 8th, 12.15pm to 1.15pm, Cathedral Square.

In 1990 the International Pacific College was established in Palmerston North, at which time several Japanese students formed a drum team. Now with around 25 members The IPC Japanese Drummers perform over fifteen times a year and will entertain Christchurch people this Friday in a free concert in Cathedral Square.

Using huge drums bought over from Japan the group use their rhythm and coordinated skill to present an energetic performance of an ancient Japanese tradition.

Tomoko Wada is club leader of ICP Japanese Drummers and he takes the position very seriously. “ It is very difficult to keep the necessary practice sessions interesting, and motivating‘ he says, ‘ and at the same time improve their skills as well as being culturally aware of the needs for both Japanese and people from other countries like Korean, Thais and Kiwis.”

In 2002 the group performed overseas, including Poland and the Czech Republic in Europe. Wada remembers the experience fondly: ‘ We performed 5 times as much as in a usual year and while we stayed in Europe we met many people and were introduced to their cultures and shared what Japanese culture is like as the same time.’

The Free Friday Lunchtime Concert Series is proudly presented by Christchurch City Council Leisure.

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