2021-22 was a banner year for the Forney High School Band. Already students are looking forward to the coming year. For some students, the new band season started the last week of June. The twenty-five students making up the Forney High School Percussion battery and pit crew kicked off their new year with the June Drum Line Camp.
The week included 5 days of 8 am to 5 pm rehearsals. The camp concluded with the first ever Drum-a-Thon from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning which included a live streaming performance. 35 local businesses pledged support for FHS band through the Drum-a-Thon.
Most people see the High School Percussion pit crew (those playing on the sideline) and the battery crew (those marching on the field with the band) during the marching season. What many do not realize is how much work the drum line does beyond the marching season. There are also All Region Competition, Indoor Drum Line Competitions and Percussion Ensemble Competition. The funds raised from the Drum-a-Thon go a long way toward helping the students participate in these competitions.
The drum line is led by Director Riley Warren and Percussion Specialist Shannon Jacobs, assisted by Zach Lewis. These leaders have grown the percussion program into an internationally recognized program. The drum line has been invited to perform at the International Percussion Ensemble Competition in Indianapolis this November.
During the Drum Line Camp, Mr. Warren sees a time for students to get a jump on the coming marching season. They are introduced to new music for the fall and get to brush up on basic skills. They also get to celebrate their past successes while receiving opportunity to develop into a more effective team.
This is a very talented and dedicated group of students. They are committed. Taking a week out of their summer vacation points to their dedication. This is also a place for students help students. The adult leaders are assisted by student captains. Many of these students started their journey into percussion during the summer of their seventhgrade year. Student captain, LeighAnn Crockett, is a Senior and plans to pursue music after high school. Student section leader, Alexander Alvarez, sees his role as an honor and wants to leave the program better than he found it. He plans to study electric engineering after high school, but percussion will always be a part of his life. Section leader Jay Stuart finds joy in teaching her skills to fellow students and hopes to become a nurse after high school.
So remember, the next time you see these students on the marching field or playing in an ensemble, they are above average. They have spent the time preparing to be the best they can be. They deserve our community’s applause as an internationally recognized percussion group.
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