We are a percussion group based at North High School in North St. Paul, MN. We compete in the Minnesota Percussion Association winter drumline circuit. The show is a combination of a marching floor show put to music played by percussion instruments. The shows are held at different high school gymnasiums throughout the metro and mid-state area. The instruments we play are marching drums such as snare drums, tenor drums, bass drums and cymbals, and also concert percussion such as marimbas, bells, xylophones, vibraphones and a host of smaller instruments.
Our group is not only made up of percussionists from the North High School Band program, but also may be members from surrounding middle schools as well as other band members from North. The group is open to any qualified band member in the school district. Last year we had eight such members in the drumline. Our instructors have years of experience and knowledge that they pass along to the student members.
Practices begin with several summer camps to introduce the basic playing and marching style. Exercises, music, and cadences are played and used for audition into the Winter Drumline. Once school starts, we have rehearsals twice a week and have several weekend camps to learn the drill. The competition season runs from February through March, so the month of January is very busy pulling everything together.
Parent volunteers are a vital part of our organization and work with fund raising, transporting, setting up floors and background support to the students in the drumline. Rehearsals are held at North High School, with some of the weekend camps taking place in other facilities in the district as the schedule requires.
Being a part of the North High School Drumline is a unique opportunity to play, perform, increase skills and knowledge, become better musicians, and make friends that will last a lifetime. This is an opportunity to become better musicians while having fun doing it. It is hard work, but at the end of the year, it is amazing how much each person has progressed in both playing and reading abilities. Competition with other drumlines helps the members develop teamwork and learn life skills such as cooperation and negotiation. The success we achieve brings pride to the drumline members, their families, and the North High School community.
As students, music educators, parents and community volunteers, we promote the
North High School Drumline as a healthy, educationally sound, extra-curricular
activity for teenage girls and boys in Independent School District 622.
Because the music, uniforms and instruments cannot be funded by the budget of
the school district, we appreciate any financial assistance our 170(c)(1)
educational nonprofit organization receives. Gift receipts for tax purposes
are provided. If you can provide financial or other assistance, please
contact us at staff (at) northhighdrumline.org.