Longmont High School band director David Merrill was in grade school when he first saw the Japanese drum ensemble Kodo.

The unique rhythms and the intensity of their performance left an impression on Merrill.

“I was blown away,” Merrill said. “That was the first spark for me to fall in love with Japanese music.”

Decades later, Merrill will get the chance to visit the Kodo village and take taiko drum lessons from the group this fall thanks to a grant from the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley.

Read the full story at timescall.com.