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Stick Time: Lessons from a Drum Line

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What can we as choral conductors learn from a performance like this?  First, look at this ensemble’s precision – it is nothing short of razor-sharp.  How about their disciplined approach to tempo? Sounds rock-solid to my ears. And what can we extrapolate from this performance about the individual performer’s dedication to the rehearsal process?  I’m willing to bet these gents have laser-like focus.  Oh, and what about the amount of creative juice that went into designing this performance? Gallons of it!  Great ensemble musicianship is great ensemble musicianiship, whether it’s a choir or this astounding drumline.

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  1. It is a good routine, but pales to those depicted in the 2003 movie “Drumline” and others that can be seen during halftime games from better American HBCU (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) bands.  No disrespect to this line, nor to your Dr. Duquette.  Just helping you to “be aware.”

  2. What a routine!  Putting aside entirely the musical values (which were superb), consider also that their evolutions, especially some of the trick ones (like tossing the drumsticks back and forth) and the flags also being thrown around – are being done in a high wind – that had to easily be a 20-to-25 mph wind, and could’ve been more – and they still managed to get it all done.  Absolutely fabulous – thanks for sharing this!

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