Drumline Sneak Peak

After being dormant for a couple years, the Woodward Academy drumline is back under the direction of music teacher Thomas Doggett. They offered a sneak peak to the student body at an assembly last week after only a month of preparation with a new group of students.

The drumline got it’s origins in 2008 and has been a steady performer at community and school events since that time. After taking some time off, the snares, cymbals, quads, and bass drums got dusted off and the students are working hard syncopating them all together and coming up with new rhythms. In addition to the drumline, Doggett also offers several classes of General Music classes, providing students with a well rounded music education. Next semester, the drumline anticipates performing at home sporting events and in the community.

Drum Line Superior at the IHSMA

Earlier this month, five drum line members performed at the Iowa High School Music Association's solo and ensemble contest. Justo Gonzalez, Princeton Little, Warren Krieg, Ryan Mackey, and Jalen Gary scored "one" ratings on both of the performances during the contest. The superior rating is the highest possible at the IHSMA and requires precise playing among the members. Students from across the state compete at this annual event and to score a "one" is a significant accomplishment. As we move into spring, drum line season will begin to pick up with the full line up getting ready to play at community events.

Drumline Poster 2012

The Woodward Academy drumline was recreated this fall semester after taking the summer off. Pictured is the official poster of the musicians who are rocking the drums in 2012. Drumline instructor, Christine Sherrod, has placed an emphasis on students acquiring the fundamentals of drumming. When that takes place, she believes it can then be put together as a tight unit. Starting from scratch at the beginning of the semester, the crew already sounds better than they did a year ago. They played at a couple football games this season with more events getting lined up. Preparations are already being made for high school competition after the new year with the more hectic drumline season arriving next spring and summer.

Drumline in January

The title and image really speak for themselves... and yes, that picture was taken today. Typically this time of year, snow has been falling for at least a month and the tiresome winter is bearing down on us. Unseasonably warm this year, Iowa has hardly seen any snow and what better way to celebrate an afternoon high of 51 degrees than to get outside and beat on some drums. The drumline season generally starts when the snow melts in early spring and hits a peak during the summer. That will likely remain true for this year as well, but they enjoyed the weather on January 9 with light jackets and drum sticks.