Published: April 01, 2008 11:05 am            

Jeffersonville High School drum line prepares for final competition of season

With chins up and eyes full of concentration, members of the Jeffersonville High School winter drum line marched in place while drumming their warm-ups in the gym.

The sound echoed throughout the gym and vibrated the floor as the students practiced.

Their director, Chad Johnson, watched intently, pointing out details, such as where their eyes were looking, for the kids to fix.

All week the group will practice three hours a day to prepare for its final competition, the Tri-State Circuit Percussion Championships, which is this weekend.

“I just really want to do good at the competition,” said Daniel Parish, 18, who plays the tenor drums. “As a senior, this is my last shot.”

Parish, like many others, have been on this team for years. He said this is definitely their best season yet.

The scores back that up. Last week at a competition, the group took home first place, with 80 points out of 100 — a feat that has never been accomplished by the JHS drum line.

The team is hoping to bring home first place again this weekend.

“I think we can take first place,” said Stephen Prather, 17, who plays the snare drum.

This is his ninth and final season between indoor and outdoor drum lines. “We’ve come so far in five years, I’m proud to go out on the top of our game.”

The group will compete at Ryle High School, in Union, Ky., against groups from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

“If they keep their head straight, they can win it,” Johnson said.

If they do, that will be the highest achievement ever for this group.

“I’m excited and nervous, because it’s a big deal,” said Monica Polston, 16, who plays the marimba and is in her first year with the group. “We can actually win.”

But even if they don’t, Prather said that will still be all right.

“I won’t be disappointed because we’ve worked really hard and it will be worth it,” he said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.