Looking to create a space for community members to connect with each other and express themselves through music, Shelburne Falls musician and psychiatric nurse practitioner Rosie Fanale is starting an intergenerational drum circle.
The group’s first meeting is planned for April 22, at 6:45 p.m. at the Senior Center, 7 Main St. Fanale hopes to eventually move the group to Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School or to Trinity Church for its regular meetings every other week. Masks will be required.
“I really want to do this to give back to the community,” said Fanale, “because I’ve found myself really loving this place. I want to create a space where people can express themselves and access the music that’s in them that they may not even know about.”
Fanale has a psychiatric practice in Shelburne Falls, and plans to use her background in music and improvisation to branch more into music therapy in service of helping people with both physical and mental healing.
For about 27 years, Fanale has been participating in an international music improvisation group called Music for People, which aims to cultivate mindfulness through music and believes that everyone has musical genius within them. She said their practice of “listening to your intuition, or inner musician” resonates with her.
“Music has had a tremendous impact on my life,” she said. “Playing piano got me through a very difficult childhood. It’s brought me such support. It’s always been a source of solace. It’s been incredibly empowering.”
Fanale has also trained with HealthRHYTHMS, a program that teaches facilitation of drumming as music therapy. She said she has become inspired to spread these ideologies and practices to others in Franklin County.
“I would really like this drum circle to be a place to bridge any differences and build empowerment,” said Fanale, further explaining that the practice is “about listening and building joy and good positive emotional, physical and spiritual results.”
Fanale cited research by Dr. Barry Bittman as inspiration for the formation of her drumming group. Bittman founded Remo, the company that started HealthRHYTHMS, and is a neurologist who has noted significant stress-relieving potential in subjects who drummed, particularly in groups.
Fanale also noted the particular benefits of drumming and drum circles for their potential to “prevent burnout” and “encourage positive communication and team building.” She hopes that this group can be a point of connection for families and community members.
“Any particular drum can be used,” Fanale noted. She said there are about a dozen pre-made drums ready for the group to use, but depending on the number of participants, some members may need to bring their own.
The group is open to all ages, from toddlers to seniors, and is funded in part by local cultural councils.
Fanale is also working to create another improvisation group, which will use soundmaking and chanting to “send peace vibrations” to people in crisis around the world.
In the future, Fanale said she hopes to expand her work in music therapy by bringing music into peoples’ homes who struggle with chronic pain or illness, as a method of healing.