Kleens Music x Happy Drums: Bringing the Joy of Music to Communities
Kleens Music and Happy Drums have joined forces in an initiative aimed at bringing music, creativity and joy to children, young people and older adults across KwaZulu-Natal.
Annie Viljoen of Kleens Music believes the initiative offers an opportunity to address the lack of access to music education in schools, while creating an affordable and inclusive way for people of all ages to experience the benefits of making music.
Durban-based Kleens Music has been supplying musical instruments and sound equipment for 35 years, building on a family business with a 50-year history in Durban Central. Its customers include bands, musicians, corporates, schools, universities and churches.
“We are so excited to be involved in this new initiative with Gavin Hughes from Happy Drums,” says Annie. “We have known Gavin and his family for nearly 30 years, so it is wonderful to bring our experience and passion for music together in this way.”
Gavin Hughes, who is based in Amanzimtoti, has more than 20 years of experience teaching drumming and works with communities from the South Coast to Margate. Happy Drums developed from a simple idea shared on social media by his wife, Elsa, who posted about creating a drumming activity using buckets.
Annie contacted Gavin shortly afterwards, recognising the potential to combine their respective strengths and turn the concept into a practical community initiative. Within approximately two weeks, the partnership had taken shape.
“For Happy Drums, our whole initiative is about empowering the youth and recommissioning our older people,” says Gavin. “Young people need hope and encouragement, while older people who may be sitting at home doing very little need an opportunity to become involved again and share their experience.”
The use of buckets as percussion instruments makes the programme more affordable than conventional drumming, allowing more people to participate without the expense of purchasing traditional drums. “The best part is seeing the smiles on people’s faces during our workshops,” he says. “There is a lot of noise at first, but after about 30 minutes, everyone starts working together and we have a rhythm. It is wonderful to see people connect through music.”
Annie is enthusiastic about the initiative’s future and the potential for businesses and community partners to support its growth. “I am looking forward to seeing how this develops and how we can make a difference, in both small and big ways, in people’s lives,” she says.
Through accessible instruments, practical workshops and the simple act of making music together, Kleens Music and Happy Drums aim to create opportunities for people of different generations to learn, participate and rediscover the power of rhythm.
For more information and to get involved contact:
W: www. kleens.co.za
