Do Deaf cheerleading teams use music ?

I got a few similar questions so figured I’d explain briefly for anyone who would like to know!! One of my favorite parts of our Deaf culture is the use of drum for our sports, fight song, and many more at various Deaf schools. It’s so important for the Deaf children to be able to FEEL the beats. There’s just something special about the vibration of the beats and how it connects fans with the players! Like every school has their band or cheer squad, etc- we have ours! 🙂
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Hello! I’m about to take off so thought I’d go ahead and share something. First I do want to thank you all for your support towards Iowa School for the Deaf’s first ever win for the cheerleading championship this recent weekend at GPSD. It was a historical moment for all of us and I’m so excited. Thank you all for your support once again! Two- I got a comment and several DMs with a similar question so I thought I’d share with all of you in case if some of you might not have known this. I was asked if Deaf cheerleading teams use music while they dance. I get that question. First you need to understand that Deaf people DO enjoy music. Some may enjoy more than others. But yeah in general Deaf people can (and do) enjoy music. Now related w Deaf cheerleading teams, it’s up to the Deaf schools for which they prefer. Some Deaf school cheer teams use music and some do not however the number one thing for us is the drum! It’s an important item for the cheerleading team or even basketball like when the ball makes the basket and we will beat on the drum or even football when a touchdown is made. The feeling from the pounding of the drum and the use of drum is important for our Deaf culture at Deaf schools. You know at hearing schools, people would scream out chants? We would chant with our drum. Hearing schools would have bands during their games, we have our drums. I know one Deaf cheerleading team who decided not to use music for their dance routine and use their drum instead/ they won first place! Again it varies across Deaf schools but yes we do use music for our routines if it fits us. And you know Deaf people DO have rhythms! For some it’s natural and for some they have to learn. Hope that helps you give you a bigger picture that Deaf cheerleading teams from various Deaf schools do use music and especially a must have - the drum. That!
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