You may have heard the group playing at home athletic events last year, and with the Big Orange pep band this year. The drumline exists as a separate group from the pep band and was established in the fall of 2020, led by Dr. Jason Kihle, who is always looking for more students to join. You don’t need to be a band student or start with any familiarity with playing drums. The drumline meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 4:50. Members of the group learn percussion techniques and play pieces ranging from pep band chants to complex ensemble performances. Henry Kersey-Russell is a new member of the drumline. When asked what he likes about being a member of the group he said, “I like learning rhythm. As a music major, it’s a good thing that I’m in the drumline now because now I can get better at staying on-beat and counting. It will help me with my career.” 

The drumline plays for a variety of home athletic events, including football, hockey, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. Each spring the group is featured on a full concert performing idiomatic works for the ensemble; This past spring the group performed Dr. Kihle’s original composition, “The Rise of the Roman Empire.” Dr. Kihle says that the title and subject for the spring concert will be revealed later this fall. The spring concert is at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 3^rd in the DeNault Auditorium in the Reiland Fine Arts Center. The Pride of the Big Orange drumline will also be playing after the band at the Homecoming concert at 7:30 pm next Friday, October 8^th.