The Life of the Drumline
Picture creds: Ellie Mink
By: Emma Travers
The first people to greet you on the first day of school, the ones who come out for a section of a pep rally, and the group you can hear from the bleachers of a football game, the drumline. The Jenks Trojan drumline is a group of 20 percussionists who practice countless hours a week to be perfectly prepared for competitions and special gigs throughout the school year.
Jack Whiteley has been on the drumline since his freshman year, and has been in band since the program started for students in sixth grade. All members of the drumline have to go through an audition process to secure their spot on the drumline, with about 20 auditioning per year. Each individual wanting to audition for the drumline has to attend clinics before they are allowed to audition.
Jack Whiteley (second from right in white) performing at the Jenks/Union pep rally
Pic creds: Ellie Mink
Whiteley didn’t just jump into band in sixth grade, he’s had a love for percussion since he was a child.
“I had a very musical upbringing and was always attracted to percussive instruments,” said Whiteley about growing up.
The band starts their practices early with two a days in the last few weeks of summer break. Yet, the drumline starts even earlier. Percussion shows up one week before everyone else in the summer, 9am-12pm, Monday through Friday.
“We have to put in more time in the summer because we have a camp that starts before the rest of the band starts camp,” said Whiteley.
During their summer two-a-days they start working on prep for the upcoming year. This includes things like fundamentals of marching, beginning of drill, and they work on music.
Senior drumline member, Carson Housley, describes a little of what practice will look like at those summer two-a-days.
“We really break down everything to make sure each person not only sounds the same, but also looks the same,” said Housley.
This year's band show is called “All Boundaries are Conventions.” I asked Whiteley what he thinks the title of this show means.
“Its an abstract exploration of how the barriers we set for ourselves are illusory,” said Whiteley.
While the drumline performs at the home football games, they also have the opportunity to perform at certain events at Guts church and the Life Church superbowl event.
The band pours countless hours of work into these performances and would love it if you came to watch them! If you want to learn more about the band in general, or when they have performances/competitions, please look at their website.
