Dakota Winter Drumline Picks Up the Beat for Competition

When you picture a drummer in your head, you probably picture a guy behind a set of drums jamming out in super loud fashion. But when you hear the words, "Winter Drumline," do you even know what to picture?

How about the sight of cymbal players using violin bows and a pit full of instruments? Did I lose you at pit?

Each of these terms and visuals are associated with 's Winter Drumline.

This so-called "percussion theatre" entails a pit crew (with large xylophone-type instruments that cannot be moved), marching drummers and cymbal players moving in motion to the musical piece they are performing–similar to what a marching band does on a football field. Most works are original and showcase the skills of the performers.

Dakota has 14 members in their indoor percussion unit and has already been bumped up to a higher competing level, from AAA to AA, scoring more than 65 at their first competition this season.

Their performance begins with the cymbal players strumming their cymbals as if they were violins. This unique entrance leads into a spectacular show of percussive sounds, including a bass guitar.

Because many schools do not have strong enough music programs, winter drumline units are few. While both Dakota High School and Chippewa Valley High School have winter drumlines, the only other group in Macomb County is Harrison Township's East Side Fury, which is actually an independent group affiliated with L'Anse Creuse Central's band program.

Chris Burrows is the percussion instructor for the Dakota drumline. He said he believes the music program at Dakota has grown to a point where a winter drumline is able to survive and possibly flourish in years to come. 

"It takes more than a standard band program,"  Burrows said. "Risa Hsu runs a pretty good program here, it's really built up. It's a great group of kids."

Burrows has been teaching percussion with Dakota's Marching Band for four years.

"We had over 20 try out and there are 14 in the unit," Burrows said. "We will have end-of-the-year clinics with the middle schools to begin recruiting for both marching band and next season's Winter Drumline this spring."

You don't have to be a percussion player in the band to join the drumline but you do need to be able to hold a beat. First year drumline player Jacob Steinberger plays euphonium in the band as well as piano.

"I wanted to try winter drumline to expand my musical abilities," he said. "Plus, I want to be in the marching band drumline next fall. Playing the vibraphone has been an easy transition from the piano, but you must use your wrists and arms much more. It's been a different experience to play."

Junior Dakota Festian has been playing the drums since second grade and was in the combined Chippewa Schools drumline two years ago.

"I knew I could help the new kids and I had a lot of fun doing it the first time," Festian said. "Our show is very cool, with lots of solos. We work really hard."

As part of the season's winter guard competitions, winter drumlines perform at invitationals throughout the state known as Michigan Color Guard Circuit (MCGC) shows. Both Dakota and Chippewa will be performing at the Chippewa Valley High School Winter Guard & Drumline Invitational on March 19.

Nine school units, including East Side Fury, will be competing in Indoor Percussion along with 36 winter guard units.

Percussion begins the show at 12:30 p.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. with awards. Winter Guard begins at 2:50 p.m. and will go until 8:30 p.m.