Four afternoons a week, the covered courtyard behind Block B shakes. That is the 24 Festive Drums troupe at practice.
24 Festive Drums was created in Johor Bahru in 1988 by Tan Chai Puan and the late Tan Hooi Song. Each of its 24 drums stands for one of the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar. It was listed as Malaysian national intangible cultural heritage in 2009, and a UNESCO application was filed in March 2026, national news agency Bernama reported.
Learning the basics
New members spend their first month on posture and stick work before they touch a full drum. "Your arms hurt for two weeks," said Junior 2 member Wong Kai Le. "Then they stop hurting."
Coach Mr Goh Chun Hong says the troupe is about discipline as much as music. "Forty students have to breathe together. That is the lesson."
Joining the troupe
The troupe takes new members at the start of each school year. No experience is needed. Parents can find the audition dates on the school calendar.
Photo above: Afternoon rehearsal in the covered courtyard.
