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Earlier this month, Eagan drumline performed their show in front of a new audience at their first competition of the season. On Saturday, February 4th, eighteen drumline teams from various high schools participated in the EHS show. Although Eagan drumline did not actually compete because it was a home show, they had a chance to run their performance and get critiqued by judges.

The drumline is coached by Eric Krueger, and their marching routines are created by Cole Hansen, a visual technician. The title of their show this year is “Brand New,” meant to express the emotions one feels when trying something new. The four movements each embody a different emotion: excitement, stress, fear, and finally, confidence.

Many different percussion instruments are involved in the performance. In the battery — the part of the drumline that marches — students play snares, tenors, bass drums, and cymbals. The pit contains mallet instruments like marimbas, xylophones, bells, and auxiliary percussion instruments. Along with the music, members dramatize the performance through facial expressions and body movements. Judges score a show based on marching, theatrical expressions, props, music quality, and overall performance.

Putting all the elements together in a meaningful performance presents some difficulties. Mikayla Hilgeman, a member who plays bass drum, explains that “memorizing the music, especially when you don’t have a lot of time, and also incorporating drill with the music” is a definite challenge.

Eagan drumline still has a busy season ahead of them, with seven competitions coming up. On February 11th, they had two competitions at Rocori and Foley High Schools. They hope to eventually do well at the Winter Guard International (WGI) finals in April.

The time commitment for drumline is substantial, with members spending up to thirteen hours a week practicing. However, the long hours promote team-bonding. Hilgeman confides, “It’s nice that we can make fun of each other.” Brynn Kamarainen, a member who plays in the pit remarks, “The people in [drumline] are really nice. If you go to drumline, you’re going to make friends.”