About Drums Not Guns

Drums Not Guns — is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit membership organization devoted to stopping violence (increase the peace) through the power of percussion; to provide our youth with creative ways to re-channel negative energy...diffuse anger....build team spirit, self-worth, self-esteem, learn to listen better,....and build community thru the power of percussion."

Drums Not Guns is a non discriminatory membership organization composed of all types of people. We welcome anyone who appreciates and values rhythm. We are cross-cultural and multi-cultural in our perspective. Drums Not Guns seeks to nurture, celebrate and share our world's percussion traditions, both old and new. Drumming is worldwide. Drumming is a communal activity that brings people together and we believe that all traditions have something to offer our communities. We support efforts to develop, revitalize, and appreciate these traditions in north Texas, Texas, North America and the world.

Our mission is to promote the concept of non-violence through drumming. We believe that when people come together to enjoy and play music, greater communication and understanding are fostered and we are reminded of our common humanity and inter-reliance. Drumming builds community and expresses culture. We want to make drumming accessible to everyone, and to create safety and community so that people can experience drumming and dance as the powerful forms of self-expression they can be.

Drums Not Guns fosters the art of drumming by providing a broad range of services to the local and global community. Drums Not Guns’ scope of services includes:

• Maintenance of the drums.org website- a central clearing house for the drum community in N. Texas and the world (710 visits daily)
  
• Maintenance of a Texas drum and dance community web list that announces drumming events throughout the state
  
• Regular support of local drum circles in the DFW Metroplex through announcements, promotion and staffing
  
• Community events that develop interest, participation and skill development for at risk and potentially at risk young people
  
• Distribution of drums and percussion instruments to individuals, with need, who show an interest and willingness in developing their drumming voice
  
• Development and promotion of community drum and dance classes that bring world percussion traditions to diverse communities.

Drums Not Guns fosters the art of drumming by the development of communications within the drumming community. By supporting the Website at www.drums.org we bring together the Texas drum community (7100 visits per day) and drum communities throughout the world. On a daily basis drum circles and drum events are announced at drums.org by groups from the Dallas area, Austin, Houston, Chicago, Arkansas, Florida, California and New Mexico. Drums Not Guns maintains a web list of active drummers announcing events throughout the state listed at the TexasDrumsDances e-list group.

Drums not Guns with partial support from the City of McKinney Arts Commission is striving to create a thriving and long lasting drum community in McKinney that appeals to a young and diverse group of participants.

• It has been shown that participation in the arts and art programs have a positive impact on all aspects of education and the success of young people in the community.
  
• Drums not Guns is developing a program of hand drumming in the McKinney community that will draw young people into an environment that supports communication through the rhythmic arts and will include:
  
  Soli Drum and Dance Festival
  International/Regional Talent
  Local Participation and Performing Venue
  Attract Visitors from NM, LA,OK and throughout Texas
  
  Regularly Scheduled Community Drum Circles
  Broad Based Community Involvement
  Promotion of other events and gathering in the community
  Visibility in community around McKinney businesses
  
  Hand Drumming Workshops
  Every Saturday morning 10:00AM -12:00PM
  Serving at risk local youth and others
  Music Therapist, Master Drummers to instruct and guide
  lengthy rehearsal
  
• Real Skill and Leadership development

While, Drums not Guns does not need the level of funding required by the Opera to accomplish great things…there are still expenses including equipment, facility rental, teacher salaries, transportation, printing, etc.

We all benefit when you support us with one of the following modest sponsorships:

• Platinum Sponsor, Total Program - $2,000
  Includes all the benefits of Silver and Gold sponsorships
  plus a facilitated drum circle at your location
  
  
• Gold Sponsor, Total Program - $1,500
  Includes all the benefits of Silver sponsorship
  plus an authentic drum with a plaque of recognition
  
  
• Silver Sponsor, Total Program - $750
  Mention in the program, VIP festival seating,
  Name on banner and all publicity
  
  
• Benefactor Sponsor, Program and Festival - $250
  Mention in the program, VIP seating at festival .

This project is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the City of McKinney Arts Commission