Skip to content

Local drumlines to perform concert

Workshop with University of Washington drumline will teach drummers from across the Lower Mainland
99170abbotsforddrumline2
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School drumline is preparing for an upcoming performace in Abbotsford.

A drumline concert, featuring drummers from the University of Washington, will be held at Abbotsford Senior Secondary on March 9 at 3 p.m. The event will be held in the gym and admission to the performance will be by donation.

The concert will follow a multi-school workshop at Abbotsford Senior with about six drumlines from the Lower Mainland attending. The University of Washington drumline will serve as guest artists and clinicians, providing instruction to the middle and high school student drumlines.

Drumlines come out of the marching band tradition and are a group of percussionists who play parades, pep rallies and athletic events.

Nancy Hasiuk, director of music programs at Abbotsford Middle and Senior Secondary Schools, said drumlines are more rare in Canada than the U.S., but more and more schools are offering them in their music programs. Her goal for the workshop is to start to connect drumlines in B.C. so they no longer feel "like an island."

"We're so scattered that we don't often get an opportunity to work together… it'll be a good a chance to play for each other and see what the other groups are doing."

She said the concert will feature performances by each of the school bands and University of Washington drumline.

"It will be really neat to see when we put it all together."