Lamar University’s drumline will host the third-annual Lamar Percussion Society Gulf Coast Drumline Classic, Oct 31, at Provost Umphry Stadium. The competition will start at 9 a.m. and run until 8 p.m.
The Classic is a competition for high school students.
“High schools come, participate and compete at high levels, and get the experience to perform for the highest quality of judges, in order for them to give constructive feedback,” Travis Fife, Lamar percussion director, said.
Fife said the competition is intended to encourage and strengthen the drumlines in this area.
“There was nothing like this down here, in this part of the state, and we needed something that was close enough for the Houston and Louisiana schools, as well as the area schools around Beaumont,” he said.
Fife said his biggest goal was to bring in the best judging panel in the country. This year’s panelists include Matthew Ferry, Bret Kuhn and Scott Johnson.
“We want to create an atmosphere or environment that you truly can’t find anywhere else,” Fife said. “Our goal is to be different. We also want to make this year bigger and better. Hopefully, that will get more drumlines involved and more community involvement.”
Already, there are many high schools signed up to compete, including schools from Houston and Dallas.
At the end of the competition, the Lamar drumline will put on an exhibition of their 2015 Percussive Arts Society International Competition indoor show.
“I am excited for the Gulf Coast Drumline Classic because we get to perform and practice for our PASIC show in front of renowned percussionists,” LU freshman Maesey Arnett said.
The competition is broken down into classifications, followed by overall awards. The level of difficulty changes from one classification to the next, Fife said.
“With the level of drumlines in this area getting better, it has made the difficulty level even greater this year,” he said.
Fife said he encourages the community to support the students competing in the event.
“Come and enjoy some music, see the different styles that transfer from one school to the other,” he said. “This competition is a huge avenue for the community to see what the students in the schools around here are doing, the level of the students we have, and the hard work that is being put in.”
Fife said he hopes to see support for Lamar’s drumline as well.
“I know the students in the drumline would love to have as much support and as many persons there as possible,” he said. “We want the event to be large and to grow each year, so that people will know what is going on and will also support the high schools.
“This will also show the student body that they have a very high level drumline right here at this university, which is competing for a world championship.”
Admission for the event is $5 for students, $7 for general admission and children under the age of five get in free.
Article published to University Press.
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