The group has been gathering for a couple of years under the supportive direction of Inverell music educator Helen Robinson. They held their audience captive as they drummed with a selection of percussion instruments to recorded music and solo.

Helen said the drumming captured something within everybody.

“I just think we all have an innate rhythm, beat, and it brings that out in us, and it’s almost hypnotic and I think we all respond to anything like that,” she said.

Robbie Duff is the Connections service manager. She said the group worked on many levels. 

“It is that whole teamwork thing, isn’t it, and it’s that belonging? I think that belonging word gets in there with this group,” she said.

With staff and clients performing side by side, the music dissolved definitions of people.

“Oh yeah, you can see that. There’s no separation there,” Robbie said.

Jordan Wilson has been a long-time member of the group. He had a solo in the performance.

“It’s just good to play in front of an audience. I haven’t had the chance to play like this before,” he said.

Beside him, Emily King agreed it was a pleasure to play for an audience. She said it was a bit of a challenge for the whole band to play together.

Phil Davis drumming was his first love, and he has played in a band before. Sharon George played a bass drum made from a large, plastic drum and the beat resounded in the space.

“I played drums all the time, I like it. I did it really good. It’s loud. I’ve been playing a long time,” she said. Helen was visibly pleased with the performance and the effort of musicians. 

“I love doing it, and I love the guys, and I love Connections staff and Brighter Access. I have a small group from Brighter Access come too, and the staff are just so amazing; so supportive, You can’t do a program like this without the staff involvement,” Helen said.

The Connections Drummers will perform one more time on Monday, beginning at 10am at the Campbell Park rotunda.