Taiko
Louisville students take on Crespi Taiko
Leanna Flexo '24
Arts and Entertainment Editor
If you’ve ever been to a Crespi Football game, you may have seen some random guys and girls banging on loud drums. That’s Taiko! Football is cool and all, but everyone knows that Taiko is the real highlight of the football season.
According to Stanford University, the word “taiko” literally translates to drum, and in this case, it refers to Japanese drumming. Taiko has been around for centuries and has slowly become a signature part of Japanese culture. What people do not realize is that taiko is more than just banging a drum. There is an art to the way in which you hit it, different songs to play and various techniques one must learn to truly understand taiko and become good at it.
A majority of the values one learns revolves around respect for one another and the team. It is about honor and intensity, while also having fun. While one person could just bang one drum, a lot of the time, songs are performed by a large ensemble.
Taiko is such a unique group to be part of, and Louisville is so lucky to be able to participate in it alongside its Crespi brothers. The Crespi Taiko Club at Louisville was started in 2018, which gave Louisville students the opportunity to learn from the Taiko teacher, Mr. O’Brien. Louisville students from all grades can sign up to be in the club to learn the culture and the art behind Taiko at Crespi every Tuesday from 4-5:30.
Falon Rushton '24 and Ben Cortez '24 drumming.
The practice starts off with Mr. O’Brien conducting a stretch routine and meditation, to get our minds centered on Taiko and to let go of any wandering thoughts or anxiety we may have during the practice.
Beginners who join Taiko usually learn the signature song, “Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi,” which is the song that the entirety of Taiko players know. Once you’ve learned this song, it’s almost like an initiation into the Taiko community. Many students, such as Falon Rushton ’24, Iztel Bretson ’26, and Skylar Greene ’25 have been a part of Taiko for over a year and have found a family with each other and with the Crespi taiko guys.
Falon, one of the Taiko Club leaders, said Taiko has made a lasting impact on her life, as it has taught her “the importance of discipline,” along with “being adventurous” and stepping out of her comfort zone.
Our Taiko members after performing at the club fair.
Additionally, she states that she got to know other people through the way they play the drum. She observes how the “different playing styles of each person reflect how they feel about Taiko.” It reveals their own persona and how they view Taiko, which shows just how bonding and meaningful Taiko is.
Taiko serves as a great way to not only try out something new that you have probably never heard of, but it also enables you to meet amazing new people outside of Louisville. So come support Taiko by joining the club or watching performances to embrace the magic of Taiko.