On Sunday afternoon March 20th the Heritage Hands Ottawa Drum Club hosted over 130 invited guests at an Open House held at the Beatrice Desloges Secondary School in Ottawa's east end. This event gave the group an opportunity to introduce a few new members and some new music before what they anticipate will be a successful summer performance schedule.

Like the Senior PGA Tour the members of the Ottawa Drum Club are out to prove that there is drumming after the age of 40... err make that 50! The Club was formed in 1998 and is comprised of some of the top rudimental and kit players in the National Capital area, some of whom had been friends for over 30 years or back when the "sticks were high and the drums were low". While it was originally formed as an outlet for fun, relaxation and camaraderie it didn't take long for the outgoing nature of the club members to surface. Soon, drums replaced practice pads, a musical program was memorized and public performance venues were searched out. The bilingual club is doing its part in keeping a small part of Canada's rich history of precision rudimental drumming alive through its performance ensemble. The Club repertoire ranges from the historic classics to more rhythmic world beat sounds of today, some based on the unusual "time signature" works of jazz great Don Ellis.

For more information, contact Bill Serson.

Here are a few imagesof the group in performance!