Welcome to the Percussion Play Blog
We hope you'll be a regular visitor as we share stories about the instruments we make and the people who play them.
This is where we share our passion for music in the great outdoors! We'll share with you details of exciting new outdoor music projects and designs from around the globe. We'll share with you information about the instruments we sell and a little about the inspiration behind them
Most importantly, this blog is about what we love to do the most - help you create new and exciting ways to bring music to the great outdoors.
Thank you for reading, visiting, commenting and contributing - we’re excited to have you here!
Royal 'Shaping Us' Campaign Strikes a Chord
Shaping Us is a new long-term campaign from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood that was launched last week by HRH The Princess of Wales, which aims to transform public awareness of early childhood.
The movement is supported by a range of experts in early childhood and high-profile figures from media, music, science, and sports, and a campaign most definitely supported by us at Percussion Play. Our own research details just how important music is in early learning, such as understanding how to socialize, learning to be independent, and being creative.
Our white paper 'Music Matters; Music and Music Education' highlights how being exposed to music from a young age, particularly within a school or nursery setting, has been proven to encourage teamwork, self-confidence, empathy, improved communication skills, and intellectual curiosity. Individuals who have had the opportunity to develop these skills and behaviors in early life often turn out to be happier,...
Children's Mental Health Week takes place on 6-12 February 2023
To mark Children's Mental Health Week in the UK, Percussion Play reveals the benefits outdoor music therapy has on the mental health of children and young adults.
This year’s theme for the week is #letsconnect, and nothing connects people and communities like music. The awareness week was founded by Place2Be, which provides mental health services in over 500 schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Sadly, around three children in every primary school class have a mental health problem, and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement.
A recent White Paper by Percussion Play highlights that music is an invaluable resource for maintaining and improving children’s mental health; it sparks creativity, inspires innovation, and stimulates emotional response and development. Research has consistently demonstrated the positive impact of music and musical engagement on mental health and child development. Likewise, the effects of exposure to green space, daylight,...
New White Paper Explores the Benefits of Outdoor Musical Instruments in Library Settings
Over on our Case Studies page, we are seeing a growing number of music-championing libraries including Scenic Regional Library, Bethlehem Public Library, Clinton Macomb Library and Oil City Library.
Many libraries across the US and the world have begun to bring musical gardens into the outdoor spaces of their public libraries and are reaping the benefits of these investments. Due to the profound and proven impact of musical play—and especially outdoor musical play—on mental health, creativity, language and literacy, developing intelligence, as a tool for intergenerational connection, and more, the incorporation of music and designated musical spaces in libraries is, and continues to be, a hugely significant venture in the pursuit of inclusivity, creativity, and innovation in these essential public institutions.
Our latest white paper, ['Creativity is...
Western PA School for Blind Children Share The Benefits of their Outdoor Music Garden With Parents & Teachers
'Future Reflections' is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children published by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
The latest edition features an article titled Bells and Drums: Fun and Learning with Outdoor Percussion Play in which the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC), who recently installed Percussion Play instruments on its campus in Pittsburgh, share how they are using the instruments for both lessons and recreation and why they are already thinking of getting more instruments in their outdoor space.
I'm a Rotarian Podcast Interviews Co Founder Robin Ashfield
Our co-founder Robin Ashfield was invited onto the I'm a Rotarian Podcast for an entertaining conversation on the many benefits of outdoor musical instruments and how just about everyone and anyone can begin to make music in the great outdoors.
Producer and Rotarian Gwen Jones quizzes Robin on the pentatonic scale, how Rotary can help bring music to people in the public spaces where they live, work, and commute, and why Percussion Play loves working with Rotary Clubs around the world.
Available to listen now
Percussion Play Listed in Christian School Products Magazine 2022 Top Products of the Year
Christian School Products (CSP) magazine provides the latest information and resources about products, furnishings, building supplies, technology, media, and more for today’s Christian schools. The bi-monthly publication introduces school leaders to new products that are helping schools.
Each year CSP lists the 'best of the best' products and services from manufacturers and dealers in the school market. We are delighted to announce that our outdoor musical instruments' educational and recreational benefits have been highlighted and recognized in this inspiring list.
Jody Ashfield, Founder, and CEO of Percussion Play, said 'It's fantastic that our instruments have been recognized by Christian School Products as one of the latest and greatest products available to educational facilities. The 2022 'Top...