Drumming Up Interest with Scarborough's Youth

Nagata Shachu, the Japanese Taiko drumming and music group, is looking for 12 young people, between 12- and 16-years old, who'd like to perform on stage with them this summer.

Those selected will learn how to drum in the traditional Japanese style and participate in a series of four summer concerts by this popular Scarborough-based music group. One of the concerts takes place at Guild Park's historic Greek Theatre.

Nagata Shachu drummers performing at Guild Park's Greek Theatre as part of Toronto's Arts in the Parks program

Nagata Shachu is presenting its "Celebrate Japan in Scarborough!" concerts in four Scarborough parks as part of Toronto's Arts in The Parks 2025 program:

● Saturday, June 21 Prairie Drive Park at 2 pm (rain date Sat, Jun 28)

● Sunday, June 22 Cedarbrook Park 2 pm (rain date Sun, Jun 29)

● Sunday, June 22 Alexmuir Park 6:30 pm (rain date Sun, Jun 29)

● Thursday, July 10 Guild Park 6:30 pm (rain date Tuesday, August 26)

This season, Nagata Shachu is seeking 12 local Scarborough youth from middle and/or high school schools (approx. 12 to 16 years of age). The group hopes to find three participants in and around each of the four park locations where the drumming concerts are scheduled.

This means young people from the Guildwood Village area, as well as those from the neighbourhoods near Cedarbrook Park, Alexmuir Park and Prairie Drive Park are encouraged to apply.

The young people selected wlll represent their neighbourhood and local park and enjoy performing a short opening act before the concerts by Nagata Shachu.

Those applying don't require any previous musical or Taiko drumming experience to participate. Neither is the ability to read music required. All the music is taught through example and repetition.

Youth participants will learn a simple Taiko piece through three, one-hour sessions at Nagata Shachu's Scarborough studio (located on Hymus Road at Warden).

The training sessions take place Sundays June 1st, 8th and 15th, starting at 1 pm. Attendance at all three rehearsals - and the four concerts - is required.

To apply simply send an email that includes the following information:

● Your age, grade and the school you attend.

● Which of the four park locations you're close to;

● A short description about yourself, including why you'd like to learn Taiko druming.

Send your email to drummingtaiko@nagatashachu.com  with the subject line:

Youth Player: Celebrate Japan in Scarborough. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Thanks to the support of the Toronto Arts Council, Nagata Shachi offers each successful youth participant:

● a $100 honorarium (after completing all rehearsals and performances)

● a special Nagata Shachu t-shirt

● TTC / Transportation costs provided for rehearsals and performances

Apply today. Be sure to send your email to Nagata Shachu by Thursday, May 22, 2025.