“Being a classical musician is a thing of honor in Asian culture. It begins with that and continues with the incredible discipline that is instilled in all of us Asians by our parents not only in studies but in, not so much sports, but really in music and art.”

David Kim’s parents are Korean. He says he sees more and more Asians entering the Philadelphia Orchestra, and other top orchestras all over the world. I’m Christopher Cruise.

A Spritual Beat

Drumming is popular around the world. People use drums to communicate, to rest, and even to pray. The instruments are especially important for the Rastafarian religion of Jamaica. Here are Rastafarian drummers playing at the recent Sacred Music Festival in Jerusalem.

Their music is called Nyabinghi drumming. People play it together as a way to pray. Drumming is also an historical connection between Caribbean nations and Africa. Jamaican reggae music star Vivien Jones explains.

“That’s been in Jamaica since we were taken there as slaves. Slave master used to bang the drums. So the drums were there form the time we landed on that island, the drums were being played. So it was African drumming… all the way from ancient Ethiopia. All it did was it traveled in a slave ship to Jamaica and then it bloomed and blossomed again in Jamaica.”

Drummers learn the art from their parents and grandparents. Bonjo Iyapingi Noah says he started early.