With the 2023 Marching Band season coming to a close last semester, Aliso Niguel’s band program begins its winter season with Winter Drumline.
While the two programs may be viewed as similar, they hold many differences which makes drumline a completely different experience compared to traditional marching band.
Drumline is more percussion focused and consists of two sections, the front ensemble and the battery. Front ensemble plays the mallet instruments such as the marimba and the xylophone, while the battery marches and performs in the background with marching snare, tenor and bass drums along with the cymbal line.
Unlike marching band, drumline is way smaller and includes no wind instruments. Rather than performing on a football field with the colorguard, the percussionists perform loudly in indoor gyms.
This semester the drumline has two shows, one indoor drumline show called “Mizu” and one concert percussion show called “Whispers of Yesterday; I Will Leave You Words.”
“‘Mizu’ in Japanese means water and the entire show will be based around the concept of water and its different characteristics. This is shown through very beautiful, melodic, sparkling tones juxtaposing against deep and mysterious rhythms,” says Al Kuznetsov (12).
The concert percussion piece only features front ensemble instruments, which will be completed with minimal visual aspects. It’s themed around the complex emotions surrounding the experience of falling in love.
A major goal for the group this year is the first place spot at their competitions, and an opportunity to compete at finals. With their first competition taking place on Feb. 3 at Arcadia High School.
“I really hope we get first place, and that more people will join the band next year. A lot of the members are seniors so hopefully next year we can fill those spots,” says Koa Densley (9).
Students and faculty alike hope to gain support and growth for this program in the upcoming years at Aliso, especially among current and incoming underclassmen.
In terms of community, drumline is accepting of students of all musical backgrounds and skill levels. The captains this year are TaeEun Jun (12) and Camden Seder (12), who have been a part of drumline for the last three years at ANHS.
“I enjoy drumline because it’s a way to get out of the rest of life for a couple hours a few times a week. I don’t have to worry about anything else, it’s just me and my drum,” says Camden.
A major reason a lot of the current members joined was for the community. The students are very kind and accepting of those who might not have the same musical background as them and are willing to be the guidance necessary for others to learn.
“High school is going to be very boring if you don’t commit yourself to an event, and I think marching band and drumline especially are such amazing and easy ways to find that community of students,” adds TaeEun Jun.
With the season’s hopes and moral high, Aliso’s drumline members welcome fellow students to come cheer them on in competition.
