What They Say About Him

He has an exceptional gift
Archbishop Desmond Tutu

That was the best communication we had all day
Bill Roedie MTV Pres. at UN communications conference

Without saying a word Barnett led his audience-turned-orchestra merely by a dash of his hand and an expressive face….Quite spectacular!!
Elizma Nolte, South Africa Times U.K.

For a group of United Nations people I had in South Africa, never have I been so impressed by one person, without words, bringing together many people from all walks of life into an incredible, united, happy group.
Caren Banks Nature Encounters, California.

Thank you for an overwhelming experience…we're still being congratulated, thanked & complimented by our colleagues, on our decision to have you do the Drum Event for us.
Nazli Roskin, H R Manager Nokia S A

That was totally sensational, It was more than spirit-building…it was a spiritual experience. I can recommend you unreservedly to anyone. Thank you for transforming our staff in a day.
Michelle Blummenau, Fedsure Health Marketing

One can talk about 'unity', one can intellectualise about it, but all of this conjecture appears as nothing when you experience the real thing. Its transcendent, it sets you free, it reveals our true potential.
Louis Gavin, DDB South Africa

As a veteran of innumerable conferences and seminars at which one of the primary objectives has been to create a common bond between diverse personalities and talents in pursuit of a common goal, I have not participated in an exercise as stimulating as Steve Barnett's.
Rob Renolds, COO, M-TEL

The drumming was the most enjoyable and memorable part of the whole event. Employees have understood the analogy between playing music as part of an orchestra and working in a manufacturing team.
John Stobbs, B.A.T.

Within a very short space of time, led by only gestures and mime, the entire hall resounded with the magnificent sound of a percussion concert of syncopated, rhythmical music.....amazing. Steve Barnett left us with a philosophical message ...not unrelated to the essence of successful assisted reproductive technology. Thank you... your country and your lessons will not be forgotten.
Kay Elder Editor, Alpha medical publication. Cambridge U.K.

The famous Steve Barnett Drum Events was brought in – a remarkable team-building exercise held in Sun City’s amphitheatre, all guests were given percussion instruments and were taught to make music together. Staged at dusk with atmospheric lighting, it was hugely successful – many were left with tears in their eyes!
Meetings and Incentive Travel Special Supplement (UK)

There are certain things that cannot be described; they just have to be experienced. One such event was sitting in a West End London theatre last week beating out intricate percussion tunes in perfect harmony with 500 other members of the audience. Our conductor was Steve Barnett – the world’s premier motivational non-speaker. Without saying a word Barnett led his audience-turned-orchestra merely by a dash of his hand and an expressive face….Quite spectacular!!
Elizma Nolte, South Africa Times U.K.

Steve did one of his wonderful drum events for a group of United Nations people I had in South Africa. Never have I been so impressed by one person, without words, bringing together many people from all walks of life into an incredible, united, happy group.
Caren Banks Nature Encounters, California.

It was such a rousing, ice-breaking and theme-fitting start to the event and great to witness you in action – having heard you explain how your act works. It was quite incredible that you made a room of 850 people do your bidding without a spoken word uttered – a truly magical experience.
Martin Lewis M D, Meetings & Incentive Travel, U K

Thank you for your grace and generosity, shared with us in the most humble and gentle way. You have really touched all of our lives, profoundly. Thank you for a most memorable, magical afternoon.
Kim Mazebow Mother of four year old

There are certain things that cannot be described, they just have to be experienced. One such event was sitting in a West End Theatre last week beating out intricate percussion tunes in perfect harmony with 500 other members of the audience.

Our conductor was South African Steve Barnett - the world's premier motivational non-speaker. Without saying a word Barnett led his audience-turned-orchestra merely by a dash of his hand and an expressive face. To complicate matters, we were all issued with colour-coded drums (rolled plastic tubes that made a quite satisfying sound when hit by a chopsticks like drum stick). Each colour was of a different pitch and with some clever indicating, Barnet had every colour group beating its own rhythm in time with the others. Quite spectacular. Especially if you consider he was faced with a tough crowd - a selection of straight faced businessmen.

Barnett was performing as one of Britain's ten best corporate entertainment acts at The Real Variety Show in The Playhouse. He was as funny as any of the comedians, many familiar names from television and radio, while the audience grabbed the chance to vent some energy and were amazed at the music they managed to make.

But it isn't just about fun and games, Barnett explains. "The energy that we put in as individuals and groups makes up the bigger music, in the same way as our contribution to our company and community can combine to make up a greater working harmony. By letting the tea lady beat her drum next to the CEO, Barnett says, barriers are dropped and employees realize that everyone has a different input to give. you delve deeper, he believes, there is also a spiritual value to be found in rhythm. "African music is cyclical, and those cycles reflect the cycles of life." But Barnett never preaches to his audience. "What they take from it is what they need," he says, whether it be a meditation session, some stress relief or simply a laugh. And because the only words he speaks are "thank you" at the very end, it is truly a multi-national show, proving that music is a universal language.
South African Times - UK, September 2001, Elizma Nolte

Notable events: Royal Albert Hall, London; Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony, Newlands; Toyota Launch Barcelona; Telkon Charity Shield, FNB Stadium.