The Dickinson High School music room vibrates with sound when the Dickinson Drum Line is in rehearsal.
Fifteen students perform with a variety of drums, xylophones, bells and cymbals, or they even use metal garbage cans and chairs as instruments.
With Keith Traquair as director, the DHS Drum Line was recently named the "Best Performance of a Percussion Ensemble" during the WDA Percussion Festival held recently at Bismarck.
Percussion ensembles from Class A schools in western North Dakota participated in the event.
"At the end of the day, one particular group they felt showed percussion ensemble prowess was named best overall group. They picked Dickinson," said Traquair.
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The drum line was judged and evaluated by faculty from the University of Mary.
"They did 'Ritual of the Tribe,' which is a large percussion ensemble for 12 kids," said Traquair.
He credits the drum line's success to dedication and hard work by the students.
"At the beginning of this year, I went to Principal Ron Dockter and asked if we could make the drum line mandatory for all percussion players in the high school music program," he said.
He also has students who wanted to join the drum line, but were not percussionists. The drum line practices at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"Basically what happened, is it really increased their ability to play. And it's been a real positive thing for my percussion players," he said. "We rehearse cadences, ensemble pieces and individual solo pieces on percussion instruments."
Dickinson State University student Jordan Sundquist serves as Traquair's assistant.
Traquair said East Coast colleges are well-known for their drum lines. The drum line was started at DHS three years ago by Shawn Sudduth, who was band director at the time.
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"A lot of interest in drum line is because of her foresight," he said.
The drum line members include Alex Greene, Aric Greene, Alex Heidt, Lucas Hendrickson, Shayne Hoff, Bryan Johnson, Joel Johnson, Jacob Kadrmas, Travis King, Mike Lupo, Lucas Preston, Kyle Rummel, Stormie Sickler, Adam Thorson-Fernsler and Luke VanElls.
The drum line's upcoming schedule includes participation in the Dickinson State University Drum Fest on Feb. 16. The drum line and percussion concert is April 6 at DHS.
"We are also willing to perform at any function that would like us to play. It is great PR for us and for the DHS music Department," said Traquair.
