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Getting Involved Uminari Taiko is Vancouver Island's first taiko drumming ensemble. Its mission is to share and promote the art of Japanese taiko drumming through teaching and performance. You can get more involved with us as a: Friend of Uminari Student Apprentice Member Friends Of Uminari Friends of Uminari is for people who love taiko but aren't interested in playing or performing. There is no cost and "Friends" are treated as volunteers who can support in a variety of ways such as Helping move equipment Handing out brochures Sewing costumes Maintaining equipment Cleaning practice space Secretarial duties To return to top of page click here Student By taking one of our classes or workshops you become a student of taiko and are on your way to learning more about Japanese drumming and how to play well. Opportunities for students to perform can sometimes happen when a class has learned a song and an appropriate performance comes up. However, this isn't always the case and is definitely not mandatory. For more info check our 'classes' page. To return to top of page click here Apprenticeship The Apprenticeship program is a one year program for individuals wanting to become a performing member of Uminari Taiko and who have previous taiko performance experience or who have completed our 8 week class. In either case they must apply and upon the group's approval, they are expected to attend all practices and preparing to perform with the group as appropriate. To ensure clear communication, each apprentice has an Uminari Member assigned to them as a "Mentor" to review their progress as needed. The cost of this year long committment is $300. To return to top of page click here Becoming A Member To become a member of Uminari Taiko you must: complete the apprenticeship program pay a one-time initiation fee of $100 pay the annual dues of $200 per year You are also expected to: attend the majority of group practices and performances fit into the group's dynamic of working hard, having fun and getting along with each other learn, appreciate and represent Japanese culture regardless of your ethnic background You are also expected to buy tabi("ninja" shoes) and gi pants(black martial arts pants) as part of your costume. You will be entitled to: an Uminari Taiko t-shirt a pair of bacchi(sticks for drumming) an annual membership with the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society an education allowance of $100 per year use of group equipment as much taiko as you can stand enjoy being a part of an exciting group of people committed to learning the art of taiko drumming To return to top of page click here > about taiko drumming > contact us

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