Drumline is a special part of the PV Band. Along with 5th period band rehearsal and other obligations the entire band has (like football games, halftimes, and parades), drumline has extra responsibilities.
To be a part of drumline, students must audition and then are assigned one of the four instruments: cymbals, bass, tenor, or snare drum.
Drumline practices are on Tuesdays during 8th period and Friday mornings before school. Drumline must stay for the entire football game, and they also perform at almost every assembly.
Unlike the rest of the band, drumline practices together throughout the summer to perfect their cadences before the school year. This summer, some went to the Cyclone Percussion Academy for a workshop. To kick off the marching season, they also had their second annual summer picnic. Drumline recently performed at the Run with Carl to help cheer and encourage runners as they passed by.
On home football game mornings, drumline marches around the school hallways, showing off their skills. Junior tenor drum player, Maria Vaaler, stated, “My favorite part of drum line would have to be Friday home game mornings. It’s pretty cool to just be able to go around the school playing the cadences that we’ve put time into memorizing and perfecting.”
Chris Foster is in charge of this talented group. Along with his high school drumline responsibilities, he also teaches junior high percussion and private lessons outside of school.
As can be seen, drumline is a lot of responsibility. “The hardest part about drum line is that the rest of the band is relying on us to keep everything together,” said Vaaler. “There isn’t much room for error from any section.”
Despite the responsibility that comes with being part of the drumline, this year’s group is up to the challenge. “The students involved with drumline this year are some of the best kids I have worked with. I thoroughly enjoy their attitude,” said Foster. “They truly are great kids.”
Vaaler added on by saying, “I’d have to say that the drum line is particularly strong this year. What makes the PV drumline so great is that there is a strong community within it.”
