Varsity drumline takes second at HEB Drumline Competition with “Birds Requiem” (with video)

Shrayes Gunna, Staff Videographer

On Saturday, the Coppell High School varsity drumline competed at the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Drumline Competition in Bedford. The percussion is made up of two constituent parts—the front ensemble and the battery—that combine efforts to forge their articulate and emotionally-charged showcase “Birds Requiem.” 

The Sidekick staff videographer Shrayes Gunna ventures through the dwindling hours of preparation on the night of competition. From practicing in an empty lot in the expanses surrounding the stadium to pep talks on the entryway to the stage, the Coppell High School percussion has been preparing for months for their showcase that they will soon play at the Percussive Arts Society International convention (PASIC) this fall. 

Requiem is defined as “an act or token of remembrance,” reflecting on the natural synths of the birds—a sort of homage to the natural world. The piece echoes the sweet melodies of birds chirping in the air, transporting the audience into a new world where lush sounds of the front ensemble are juxtaposed with the grounding chimes of the battery. 

After a state of isolation for the past year and a half, the percussion group provides the audience the flavors of a transformative voyage through fluid music. These radiant tones are produced by interactions between mallets and other percussive elements like snare drums and marimbas, which are handled by every member of the drumline. 

Each student, a musician of their own, beats their own instruments in a synchronized fashion, while emotively displaying the emotional aspects of the music in their actions and on their face to convey a sense of liberation to the audience. 

After discussion with several members of the drumline, their talent and time investments triumphed their nerves, to which they graced the stage and are bringing back a second place trophy. The front ensemble won first place in their respective category. 

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