Ever since its debut over a year ago, the Bakersfield College’s drum line continues to exist in the halls of the Speech, Arts and Music building.
The BC drum line made it clear that they were going to incorporate a style of drumming which is meant to entertain and make people move, and they have been true to their word.
Zaihda Garcia, a former West Bakersfield High School base drummer, says, “I saw it in their face, how much fun they were having, and they just got me . . . and their movement too.”
Ever since last spring, the drum line has entertained large crowds from local high school competitions held by Pep & Pageantry Arts Association of Central California to pumping up crowds at Bakersfield College’s football games.
There are some students like Yolanda Davis, a BC student, who haven’t had the chance to see the drum line and all of its talent but all agree that they would like to see more of them around campus and other events.
Originally, the drum line was founded by Mark McGuire and Dave Ellis but due to some health problems, Mark McGuire had to step down from his position as concert band director. The position has been filled by Tim Heasley.
Heasley is a music instructor who is a community specialist and also helps with the percussion and wind ensemble at West High School as well as other high schools.
When asked what he thought about the drum line, Heasley said, “It’s very impressive. these are basically the cream of the crop of the high school in the area.”
Dave Ellis, another instructor in the group, believes that this program gives high school graduates a chance to practice a talent that one can’t really use in their work place. But Ellis seems confident in this program because, according to him, “Everyone loves drum line stuff.”
Even though the BC drum line gets some financial help, it doesn’t seem enough to start a front ensemble, which consists of instruments such as marimbas, xylophones and chimes.
According to Ellis, even with help from those companies, the price to compete comes to $50,000. However, they hope to have everything they need to compete by next year.
It would seem that the BC drum line doesn’t have any upcoming competitions as an ensemble, but that doesn’t mean that the members aren’t working hard.
Some members on the line like Tony Sandoval happened to be involved in local high school drum lines as instructors. Ellis sees this as a positive view because his students are helping their students hone their talents and, as Ellis says, “When those kids graduate they’ll be here (BC).”
Some students like Zaihda Garcia show interests in joining the rank as BC drum line members, but Ellis suggests that if someone wants to take the class but has no experience, that they take a musical class at BC and get a little educated on how to read music.
And as for those who do have knowledge, Ellis says, “We’d love to have you.”