DRUMLINE SHINES AT LONE STAR CLASSIC

November 14, 2011
 
GHS Drumline
 

The GHS Pirate Band drumline rose to the top at the Lone Star Classic Drumline Contest held November 12, 2011, at Marcus Stadium in Flower Mound.

 

The drumline placed third in a standstill division featuring dozens of schools mostly from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  The group also won Best Cymbal Line Award.

 

The competition is considered the “state championship” of the high school drumline community, according to GHS percussion director Tahlequah Kirk.

“Striving for excellence is what we are about.  Everything else, at some point, will take care of itself," commented Kirk.  "I am tremendously proud of their journey this fall.  They have worked extremely hard on achieving the goals I set for them, goals they set for themselves back in July, leaving a legacy, meeting standards set before them, raising the bar for those who follow, and continuing the growth of the program as a whole.  I am truly blessed in my position with the students I have on a daily basis.  I am very proud of them and love them all very much!”

Members of the drumline include students from both GHS and Crossland Ninth Grade Center:  snare drums – Sam Tyra, Chandler Chiappe, Justin Kochis, Josh Musser; tenors – Colleen Castaneda, Klint Keating; bass drums – BreAnne Daly, Ross Backus, Garrett Williams, Brandon Danz-Shepherd; cymbals – Taylor Clayton, Kayla Jumper, Ashleen Atchue, Emily Enns; front ensemble – Cole Nolin, Tyrone Washington, Mallory Grober, Katie McKamy, Randy Sillivent, Brent Monk, Kaleb Rankin, Alexis Baker.

 

In September, the percussionists placed sixth at the HEB Drumline Contest held at Pennington Field in Bedford.  The group also won awards for best cymbal line at the HEB competition as well as a later marching festival in Aledo, where the GHS ensemble placed second.

 

Pictured above, Kirk (right) congratulates tenor player Colleen Castaneda on the drumline’s performance.

 

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Kochis
 
 
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