Charger Arts & Entertainment

Diga Herta Gock: an amazing drumline story

Wes Garner, Charger Staff

Once upon a time there was a band, and this band had an incredible group of young people that were highly motivated and trained to be so tight that nothing could loosen them. This organization was known as drumline. Unfortunately, over the years, drumline has dwindled down with the loss of some of its greatest members. In fact, during the marching season of 2000, it was wiped off the face of the field.

It seemed as if all hope was lost when suddenly a light emerged from the rhythmic nothingness. Since that season, the drumline has evolved from the primordial ooze of last year’s season and has been quickly reshaping into what it used to be. In order to make the transition from drumline’s disappearance to the incredible state that is in now, it took a cast that was and still is willing and able to make things happen.

This brand new cast includes Daniel Uthus and Steve Tilton on tenors, Vee Donovan, Katie Coe, and Jace Clemmons on snares, Sarah Presnall, Michelle Sewell, Dragan Ramsey, and Cody Stewart on basses, and Charlie Ellis on cymbals. Since the 2001 marching season, members have put forth unceasing effort to practice.

The dedication to their practice has exceeded the band room. These drummers have marked drumming territory from friends’ houses to hallways to the lunchroom. If you listen closely, you can hear the chatter of sticks against practice pads as these soldiers of the beat play out their cadences. A big part of this success has been the help of CHS teacher Eric Howard who, because of his prior experience with professional drumline, has tightened the vice and molded these students’ minds so that they eat technique, drink rhythm, and live drumline. Mr. Howard’s dedication to them has not only been the driving force, however. The students themselves have been pushing the limit. Daniel Uthus has been leading the drumline in its success, playing the “Captain’s” role, despite being the single senior. He believes in the drumline’s talent and thinks they are one of the best lines out there. “If they continue with the discipline and hard work of every member, there will be no limits to how far they will progress,” Daniel says. There are many leaders coming up for the organization, especially from the sophomore class due to their numbers.

Drumline has also been an experience in discipline for its members. Sophomore Jace Clemmons explains, “You get that extra bit of something in drumline.” It has also brought the students closer as friends and working partners. Just a glimpse of the members in action radiates all that drumline has worked for.

One of the highlights for the cast has been the connections they have made with not only the school, but the students. The rest of the student body stands in awe as these select few drummers play away on what seems to be incredibly difficult pieces. The frightening reality is that these pieces are just simple warm-ups. Even though they carry such a serious image, “It’s hard to keep from smiling sometimes,” junior Steve Tilton says.

This wonderful group of students has definitely done much more than most of the student body realizes.

Not only have they been rapidly returning to their past glory, they have been leaders in school spirit. They unite the student section during football games to groove to the beat, they also enhance the cheerleaders with their routines. The CHS drumline is most definitely something we should take pride in.

Article prepared for web by Chris McReynolds.