On Sunday, October 19, 2025, members of the Clarkstown High School taiko drum team “Mugen Taiko 無限太鼓” performed at Boulders Stadium to encourage the participants at the Walk To End Alzheimer’s. The drummers’ energetic rhythm could be heard all across the stadium, as passionate students from both North and South united to support those affected by Alzheimer’s and to bring awareness to the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission of advancing support and treatment for the disease.

Taiko is a form of traditional Japanese drumming featuring large drums known as “chuu-daiko,” and smaller beat keeping drums called “shime-daiko.” These drums and their loud, reverberating sound were used by the military to inspire their troops throughout history. Now, they are an important cultural, religious, and theatrical aspect of Japanese culture. Mrs. Uchiyama, a Japanese teacher at both North and South, brings this unique tradition to life in Clarkstown. As the founder and advisor of the Mugen Taiko drum team, she supervises practices every Wednesday where anyone can come to learn and perform Taiko pieces.

At the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Mugen Taiko performed a variety of pieces, including “Isamigoma,” which represents the feeling of galloping horses; “Agari Yatai,” an energetic call and response piece; and “Hanabi,” an original piece composed by Mugen Taiko members. 560 walkers participated, and over $250,000 was raised in support of the fight against Alzheimer’s. Through their performance, the Mugen Taiko drum team helped bring hope and energy to our community as we came together for this special and important cause.

Mugen Taiko will continue to perform in many events, including the  Rockland Lake Turkey Trot, the Columbia University Taiko Festival, and at Japanese Culture Festival “Bunkasai” at Hunter College in NYC.