CIRCLE UP

| Wednesday, May 28, 2008

David Burke

Experience is not required at the River Music Experience’s monthly drum circles, which take place on the last Saturday morning of each month, including this weekend.

“The drum circle I do at the RME is more ‘Let’s all get together and get in a circle and play,’ ” said Terry Hanson, who leads the activity. “It’s having some fun, getting together and jamming without worrying about ‘Do I have my degree in music?’ ”

Hanson, a professional drummer for the past 35-plus years, was talked into forming a drum circle by Ellis Kell, the RME education and program director and the leader of an eponymous band in which Hanson plays the drums.

The first monthly session began a year-and-a-half ago, and it has led to drum circles during the River Currents tour at which area schoolchildren tour both the RME and the nearby Figge Art Museum.