What is DCM?
The Developmental Community Music Approach (DCM)
Developmental Community Music (DCM) is a comprehensive approach to facilitating an inclusive group process. DCM makes it fun and easy to present enriching and dynamic experiences for groups of all kinds.
Listen to a PodCast about the DCM Approach.
Using the DCM approach helps people:
- get to know and appreciate each other.
- feel comfortable expressing themselves in a group.
- feel confident using their musical abilities.
- learn to listen and respond to others in appropriate ways.
- use the principles of effective teamwork to reach a common goal.
- reconnect with and share their playful and creative spirit.
Key Elements
[pro-player width='480' height='320' type='video']http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZEm2xT0UY [/pro-player]
DCM is much more than group music making. It’s a holistic approach to self-improvement that is rooted in Music Therapy, Orff-Schulwerk (music for children), Recreational Music Making, and unique practices developed by Kalani.
The books, DVD, web-site and training courses offer multiple levels of support that make learning and applying the DCM approach both accessible and effective. Participants may elect to work towards certification as a way to raise their personal skill set and support their work, no matter the field.
Drumming with Children
What does a DCM Leader do?
A DCM leader uses music-based experiences as a platform for reaching developmental goals.
DCM leaders are skilled in several areas including:
- providing a musical foundation for group experiences such as drumming, playing the ukulele and singing.
- designing sessions to meet developmental goals and objectives in a variety of areas (physical, cognitive, social, etc.)
- helping participants find ways to contribute to the experience, regardless of musical knowledge or training.
- using a variety of modalities (music, movement, singing, laughter, etc.) to meet the group’s goals.
- designing a variety of session plans to meet various goal areas including; recreation, wellness, education, and spirituality.
What will learn at a DCM course?
DCM students learn how to create different types of experiences, including:
- drum circles (group drumming improvisation)
- guided interactive drumming (conducted group drumming)
- group sing-a-longs (folk and popular songs)
- toning and chanting (vocal improvisation healing)
- movement and dance (individual, partner and group)
- laughter exercises and experiences
Instrumentation
[pro-player width='480' height='320' type='video']http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-r4k7b4m00[/pro-player]
What kinds of services will DCM help me provide?
Depending on your existing skills and qualifications, DCM will allow you to:
- design and lead recreational experiences.
- design and lead educational experiences.
- design and lead health and wellness experiences.
- design and lead therapeutic experiences.
- design and lead corporate learning experiences.
Jamming on Ukuleles and flutes
Who comes to a DCM course?
Most people who attend DCM courses are in music-based fields already, but some are looking for accessible ways to enter into music-based fields, such as recreational music making for wellness. DCM students come from a variety of professions and with diverse interests that include:
- music education
- music therapy
- recreational music making
- corporate training and development
- coaching and training
- counseling and personal development
What skills are required to take a DCM course?
DCM welcomes entry-level students; however, it helps to have a basic foundation in music and movement. Reading notation and knowing music theory is not required, but a sense and love of music helps a great deal. A few qualities that will help potential DCM leaders include:
- being comfortable playing music with and for others.
- being comfortable when addressing a group.
- enjoying community settings and connecting with people.
- being willing to help people when needed.
- being comfortable with improvisation and alternative approaches.
- being open-minded and accepting of all types of people.
- having a deep desire to help others.
Connect with the power of music to transform lives.