GBRT Carnival Drums

We’re bringing the sound of carnival to Market Harborough embracing all kinds of percussion with our approach strongly influenced by Afro-Brazilian samba. We learn everything using sound and action, not many words and no sheet music. We’re looking to collaborate with other groups on performance projects, so we would love to hear from other musicians, singers or dancers.

All abilities, whether beginner or experienced drummers. You just need to be over the age of 12 and enthusiastic about being part of an exciting performance group.

When And Where?

First, third and fifth Tuesdays of each month, in term time, from 7.45pm to 9.30pm at Meadowdale Primary School in Market Harborough.

Rehearsal Dates 2022

What Does It Cost?

£39 per term (£35 for students) which includes: venue hire, tuition, instruments and refreshments.

Please use the bank details on the Rehearsal Dates Schedule above to set-up a Standing Order into the GBRT account.

How Do I Join?

You’re very welcome to come and join us at any time. Simply complete the online Carnival Drums registration form before the date you wish to start.

Join Carnival Drums

Musical Director: Ceri Howells

Ceri Howells is a drummer and percussionist based in Nottingham, UK. He has been playing percussive instruments of one form or another for well over twenty years and his time as a teacher and facilitator for individuals and large groups runs for over a decade.

He made his start in music on the drum kit which is where he still spends much of his time playing and teaching. He has been involved in and still play with a variety of bands with many recordings produced over the years. As time progressed, he found himself drawn towards many styles of music from all over the globe becoming particularly fond of Brazilian musical traditions and Malaysian Gamelan along the way.

This diverse variety of music in his life is something that has kept him extremely passionate about all his playing and teaching. In his last year, as a musician he has been able to travel to the World Gamelan Festival in Malaysia as part of Kayu Gangsa (a UK based group that uniquely fuses traditional Malaysian Gamelan composition with contemporary musical elements and western instruments). He was also part of a UK Samba Bateria that travelled to Rio de Janeiro for a series of performances as ‘Carnival Transatlantico’. They were honoured to play some of the city’s most famous venues with a variety of fantastic Brazilian musicians. This tour made a small piece of Samba history by becoming the first ever completely foreign Bateria to be listed as part of the official guide to the Rio carnival and its wealth of music and celebration.