Shaking things up on campus, the legendary percussionist and jazz maestro performed and delivered a workshop as part of the ExxonMobil-NTU Explorations in the Arts Series.

Dr Michael Connor, from NTU's Nanyang Business School, recalls the inspirational timbre and scintillating sounds of the masterclass, which was hosted by the Music Department of the Visual & Performing Arts Academic Group at the National Institute of Education (NIE) on 17 May.

"At first I couldn't believe it: Billy Cobham at NTU's Explorations in the Arts series? The Billy Cobham, one of the best and most influential drummers in the world; the current generation's Buddy Rich; drummer for Miles Davis, Horace Silver, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Carlos Santana, with over 30 albums to his name? At NTU's NIE? Yes, indeed, just the great man and a drum kit, doing an intimate workshop.

I kept my 13-year-old son, a young drummer, home from school and took him along to join around 100 other lucky souls for a mixture of stunning virtuoso display, stimulating discussion on topics such as self-expression, creativity and excellence – and some nuts-and-bolts tips on music teaching, music study, and, of course, drumming. There was something for everyone, all delivered with a personable and warmly humorous mastery.

Billy introduced himself briefly, told us what we'd be doing for the next hour and a half, and then showed us something he'd been trying out lately: playing with four drumsticks. Awesome. Then, after a few comments about how important it was to try new things, and work on our little inspirations and ideas, he invited questions and comments. What followed was a mix of philosophical dialogue and practical tips and demonstrations.

Musicians, he said, should be knowledgeable not only about the music and instruments they play, but also of such finer details as the history of these instruments. Such awareness should enable them to understand their work as a whole presentation, as an integration of their own feelings, ideas and knowledge with whatever is going on around them. I'm no musician, but I was sure learning a lesson from this. He also discussed music and drumming from around the world, as well as his own technique and that of workshop participants.

It was a great musical experience, but an even better motivational one. We'd had a lesson with a master in his field, but more than that, we'd experienced an exchange with a master teacher, and this transcends all fields."

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