Building Community Through Music, Dance & Drama

One of the key ingredients in building community is a commitment to co-operate. Throughout time, in most communities, dancing, singing, drama and eating would have been the main co-operative activities that would bring people together.

“This kind of sharing creates new relationships and bridges between people. Learning how to work and play with a variety of people is at the core of creating a healthy community.” – Doug Paterson

Ideas for community building include:

• Leave your house
• Turn off the TV
• Know your neighbours
• Greet people
• Play together
• Buy from local merchants
• Have Potlucks
• Listen to the birds
• Start a tradition
• Organize a block party
• Sing together
• Dance together
• Do drama together

Music is the international language that joins people of all ages together in creative harmony and healing. We want to be both seen and heard. Acknowledging people in our own community with smiles, eye contact and touch creates opportunities to build relationships and shape communities. Community dances are one of the best ways to accomplish this. Trust is built through touch on the dance floor.

In our over-competitive world we need to make extra effort to enhance co-operation through social activities. Music enhances learning, nurtures self expression, extends our lives and makes us happy. Skills in attending, listening and co-operating all occur and improve when families are involved in musical activities.

Guest Author Bio

Doug Paterson
I love music. Whether it is music for singing, dancing, learning or simply listening it feeds my soul.

I love making music with, or for, other people…individuals, families and groups. I particularly love playing music for, and with, kids.

I also enjoy teaching piano and/or guitar to individuals and family groups.

I particularly like to help create family bands so families can play together at home.

My professional qualifications are:

I am an experienced choral singer, musician and dance caller … a director of both children’s choirs and musical productions. I am also a graduate of Denis Donnelly and Shivon Robinsong’s “Community Choir Leadership Trainings,” a qualified BC teacher and the former head of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s ORFF and Childhood Music Dept.

Blog / Website:  Music with Doug

Contact Doug at:  250-385-SING (7464)

Recent Guest Author Articles:

• Empowered to Advocate: How to Become the Voice for the Silent
• How to Build a Celebration-Ready Wine Cellar
• Wander, Discover, Reflect: My Most Surprising Finds in Las Vegas
• Creating Meaningful Connections: What Ecosystems and Families Teach Us About Belonging
• How Breathwork Creates a Pathway Through Trauma: Beyond Traditional Approaches