Drumlines Of America

I already knew I wanted to play drums, but when I got to the 6th grade, my mom made me play alto saxophone instead. So I went with it for a while until drum line try outs came around. Then my band director helped me build the confidence to audition on snare drum.  I didn’t make the line.  I felt as if I was never going to touch a drum again.

I was crushed. I felt like I would never be that excited for an audition again, but somehow my parents and band director got me back into it.  My band director did all he could for me, even getting the center snare to give me some lessons.  It really helped me build more confidence.  So I went to auditions again next year. I’m so happy they did because I made the line that year!   And I aced everything they threw at me.  Now I am captain of my drum line and getting ready to march drum corps.

I learned to not give up your dreams, because if I had given up then I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to be the leader I am today. Nor would I be a DCI tenor player in the upcoming season. So to everyone who got cut from their first auditions… DONT QUIT! because you can always come back next season like a boss!  My life motto for musicianship: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

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I was just a quiet person in school.  I got bullied a lot by other kids because I was new and I didn’t know English very well.  Everything started when I would stare at the drumline every single day at lunch.  It was just a habit, because I was so amazed and interested. I didn’t really have the courage to talk to them because I was scared that I might get bullied, so I just kept admiring them.
One day, one of the snare players caught me staring and asked why I had been looking at them. I just told him that I was really amazed at what they were doing. He laughed and then introduce me to their line and their band director. They were all so nice. A week after that I met Mark, a sophomore on the line.  That’s when I decided to join the band. Mark started teaching everything I needed to learn, like holding the sticks correctly and all the rudiments. Later, I ended up on the snare line with him.
I eventually got to know everyone in my band and they are absolutely awesome.  Everyone is like my family now.  Being with my band at every competition and football game is always memorable and fun. We have ups and downs, but we always make it. And they also bring out the best in me. I came out of my shell and became more sociable. It has been such a fun and amazing experience.

When I was in the 7th grade, I had just moved across the country and I wasn’t very good at reading music yet. One day, while playing a song, my teacher said “Kaitlyn, that was horrible. You’re never going to become a good snare drummer and you’re going to fail this test coming up if you play like that.” I almost started crying. After that, I felt so discouraged that I would only play mallets.

My freshmen year of high school I decided to do marching band. I tried out for bass drum and I didn’t make it.  All my other friends who tried out, made it. I was in the front ensemble. I was told that I was good in the front, but that wasn’t where my heart was. For indoor drumline, I tried for bass drum again, and I didn’t make it, again. I was very mad that I didn’t make it and I thought I would never be on battery. I ended up playing in the front ensemble (marimba), but I didn’t like it.

Last January I decided I would work on my snare technique. I also decided to prepare for the upcoming marching season, auditioning on bass drum again.  I tried out for bass and snare, and I got the snare spot!  While marching band was fun, I was most nervous for indoor drumline. It was very competitive. I worked incredibly hard to get where I was. There were 5 open spots and 8 people trying out. I was the least experienced.  I had to choose between front ensemble and battery.   I could’ve easily made front ensemble, but I wouldn’t have liked it.  I made a risky choice and tried out for battery. I made it!  It’s so much fun and I’m the only girl in the upper battery.

My motivation was to prove to my middle school band teacher that I could become a good snare drummer. My older brother also played snare for marching band and I wanted to be just like him.  I took that one negative in my life and turned it into something positive.

Before I was born, my dad was a professional drummer.  He would travel a lot, playing different concerts and shows.  He even played at the 1992 Grammy Awards with Mariah Carey!  I really looked up to him.  I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps, since I was a small child.  This was how I initially took an interest in drums.  Later on, I was able to watch the movie “Drumline
.”  That was really where my path changed.  I just fell in love with marching percussion.

Eventually my dad became very sick, always in and out of the hospital.  It was extremely hard, but I wanted to make him proud.  That’s when I decided to start playing myself.  I joined band, and never looked back.  I love my dad, he is my inspiration.  He is why I play.

Today we introduce our “Featured 15” series.  15 stories in 15 days about what drives and inspires you all!  Today we begin with Trevor…

Featured 15: Trevor Kabateraine

by J.D.

As a percussion instructor, nothing is more frustrating than spending hours planning out a rehearsal only to show up and find out that some of your key players are not in attendance.  It’s also frustrating for the line because when new material is introduced, it now has to be taught twice due to the missing members, effectively wasting valuable rehearsal time.  But we all have lives and need to miss a rehearsal from time to time.  So what is the solution?

Communication.  Players should ALWAYS inform an instructor and the line (usually reporting to a section leader) well in advance or as soon as possible.  Being sick is one thing, you may not be able to inform anyone until the day of, when you figure out that you are ill, but giving the instructor a heads up is very important anyway.  Missing for other engagements happens as well, but a week’s advance notice should be given.  Why inform everyone so far ahead?

This gives the line and the instructor ample time to gauge where the group is with learning material and allows them to tailor the rehearsal most effectively as not to waste any time. This is great for everyone because it maximizes rehearsal time and allows you to handle whatever business you may have.  And anyone who has planned for a drumline/band before knows that using your time wisely is key to having a successful season.  So if you’re going to miss rehearsal, give your line the best chance at being successful, and inform your instructor & section leader well in advance.