More than 40 students from Texas School for the Deaf are in for a special treat - an exclusive performance by Tetshin Daiko, a drum troupe from Oita, Japan, on Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Edward's University. While it may seem strange to invite deaf students to hear a drum troupe, they are able to feel the vibrations from the drums and "hear" the music. Following the performance, students will have an opportunity to play on the drums. There will be another performance at 8 p.m. for the general public.

Hailing from one of Austin's 10 sister cities, Tetshin Daiko is returning to celebrate 25 years of performing. The group's name can be translated as "Spirit of Iron Workers Drummers." The word taiko means both "drum" and "drum troupe," and when used as part of a performing group's name it is pronounced "daiko."

Workers at the Sinnittetsu Oita Steel Refinery founded the troupe in 1976. Taiko employ a variety of small, medium, and large drums and other percussion instruments to create spellbinding rhythmic patterns and striking visuals. The pounding rhythms of their drums symbolize the iron workers' spirit and strength. The taiko style has spread around the world, with an estimated 10,000 taikos in Japan and more than 150 troupes in the United States.

Tetshin Daiko's Central Texas tour is sponsored by the University Programming Board of St. Edward's University and the Austin-Oita Sister City Committee, a non-profit volunteer group founded to promote exchange between the two cities. The show will include a silent auction to benefit the Sister City Committee's ongoing projects, which include support for students and teachers to visit Japan.

Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, St Edward's University is an independent Catholic liberal arts university of 4,100 students located in Austin, Texas.