Box’Out 2014 strikes a chord with participants and spectators alike while driving home core community values.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEAT’ABOX GROUP.
It was once said that the cajon is the heart of every song, for it carries the heartbeat of every melody.
Last year, BOX’OUT 2013 made its mark in the Singapore Book Of Records for “The Largest Cajon Ensemble,” when it delivered a rousing inaugural performance involving 600 performers. It was organized by Singapore-based social enterprise, the Beat’abox Group.
On Aug 31 this year, Box’Out 2014 put on another spectacle, with a total of 431 premium-made cajons played simultaneously at *Scape. Adding to the buzz were guests-of-honor Elim Chew, founder of 77th Street, Delane Lim, founder of Agape Group Holdings and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling.
Themed “Follow Your Dream”, it was more than a free public musical event. It aimed to heighten awareness in society toward people with special needs by encouraging acceptance, compassion and appreciation of one another no matter one’s limitations. At the same time, it was a showcase of a vibrant music culture among the youth, inspiring them to achieve greater possibilities for themselves.
For one item, participants were asked to put on eye masks and ear plugs, thus doing without two of their five senses. This exercise helped put them in the shoes of the less abled, so that they could empathize with the visually and hearing-impaired.
Participants were also given a crash course before the five-minute challenge began, which spanned various genres including pop, rock, jazz and funk. In the line-up were hits like “Rude” by Magic! And “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. It was not only a sight to behold but a sonic feast, for both spectators and participants alike.
Says a second-year mass communication student, Nur Humaira Bte Abdul Wahab, 19, “I feel educated in playing cajon and it really brings people from all walks of life come together.”
For the youth committee members and trainers who had sacrificed much time practicing, planning and brainstorming over the last few months, the effort paid off. According to founder Arthur Choo, emphasis will continue to be placed on five major values for future Box’Out events: Care, Connection, Appreciation, Respect and Empathy, as well as Empowerment and Support.
Find out more about cajons at http://beatabox.com.sg
