Doc Gibbs
Doc Gibbs
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Doc attended school to be a fine artist, not a musician.
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Doc’s work with teachers has been found to be valuable by both music specialists and general classroom educators. He focuses on music as a tool for communication, emphasizing active listening skills, using an approach that is contemplative and subtle, verging on the spiritual. Doc brings a huge range of small percussion instruments to his sessions. Many times he starts with a visualization exercise using rainsticks and various instruments to create beach sounds. He asks the group to breathe deeply and relax. He picks up instruments to create sounds then hands them off to participants in the classroom. This sets the tone for the rest of the session.
He also uses an exercise called the harmony circle where the teachers or participants sit in a large circle. Next, he walks around the circle, offering instruments to each participant. After he has demonstrated the use of the instruments, they all play together, establishing the beginnings of a common bond. The circle is highly recommended so that participants will have eye contact and the ability to communicate without speaking. This is also a good exercise in improvisation.
Then, Doc organizes the larger group into sub-groups, picking some participants to play while others listen. Next, the groups switch. Emphasizing experimentation, teachers are encouraged to explore the instruments and to explore combinations of sounds with their colleagues. In a short time, Doc is able to establish a deeper level of communication among the participants.
With its emphasis on respect, sharing and expression, this technique is also much in demand by corporate groups. It is ideally suited to beginning-of-year retreats for teachers and for grade-level or departmental community-building sessions. It can also be used with students. Teachers who wish to lead sessions of this nature to establish terms of mutual respect and active listening in their classrooms can discuss how to proceed with Doc. When working with teachers, Doc explains how every exercise can be transferred to the classroom. Found objects are perfectly adequate substitutes for standard and more unusual percussion instruments.