We got the beat, we're the Drummers

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We got the beat, we're the Drummers

By: Haley Bowling
Blackhawk Brigade Junior Bass Drum

By: Amanda Skaggs
Blackhawk Brigade Sophomore Tenor

By: John T. Smith
Blackhawk Brigade Junior Bass Drum

Percussion: the striking or beating of an instrument to produce a sound of relative musical quality, an instrument such as a drum. This time of year those drums are strapped to the torsos of nine dedicated well disciplined percussionists. That’s Right; the Springs Valley Blackhawk Brigade is at it again, with a drumline ready, aggressive, and hungry as ever. With four bass drums, three snares, and two tenors they’re off for state finals to march in the RCA Dome in its last year.

The three snares; Tyler Reynolds, Drew Hill, and Alex Pierce have set an excellent example for the rest of the drum line. Focused, aggressive, and ready they wait for every chance they get to improve themselves individually and the band as a whole. Often they remind every drum line member to be focused on the task at hand.

Never fearful in the shadow of intensity left by the snares, the tenors, especially the veteran Amanda Skaggs, always take the time to make sure that anything and everything is taken care of and understood. This is a little trait she seems gets from her mother Dee Skaggs. Jayt Alexander is the second tenor and a returning veteran. Jayt has marched in drum line for three years. This is his first year marching tenor. Jayton has picked up quickly on playing tenor, and in that time Amanda has been able to improve on her own skill. Amanda and Jay ton have both done very well on any responsibility or task set before them, whether it’s the usual focus on dynamics and tempo or the responsibilities they have as leaders in 80 the member band they call family. The tenors have done excellent this year and are to be performing at their best Saturday.

This year the Bass Drummers have done an excellent job completing any task provided. Our newest members are 7th grader Zach Andry and junior John Smith. For their first year, both have grown considerably over the season in terms of musicality and self discipline. Among Zach and John are our two veterans, junior Haley Bowling and Senior Marina Nelson. The bass drummers have come to know each other much better over the past 4 months and are going to greatly miss their senior Marina.

As a measure of intensity, faith, loyalty, and self discipline, each individual has given it their all. Including sweat, blood, time, and brain cells for the cause they all love. Each has handed something down for the next piece to come in this third generation.

NOTE: Article published in the Springs Valley Herald and Bedford Times-Mail.

Contest Results can be found at:

Indiana Marching.com and/or
Simply Instrumental.com