PERCUSSION SECTION membership

The percussion section is an important part of all of our music ensembles.  Students play with the concert bands, musicals, jazz band, and other ensembles throughout the year.  Being and percussionist is not the same as being a "drummer", and all of our percussion students learn about the different percussion instruments, theory, composition, and other musical concepts in their four years as a member of the percussion section.

PERCUSSION studio

Enrollment: 20
Period 5

The percussion studio class is dedicated entirely to students studying the percussive arts. Students take master classes on various percussion implements, including mallet, battery and drum set.  The class varies day-to-day, often with self directed activities determined by a student's main interest.  All the activities eventually lead to a well rounded student performer on all percussion instruments.

In the fall, the class is part of the Blue Star Regiment battery and pit.  In the winter months, students work on the winter drum line show, and are placed into various ensembles according to ability.  These ensemble range from the Wind Symphony to small percussion ensembles or duets.  Beginning in April, the class focuses on the Prism Concert performances, which includes the small ensembles and a "Stomp"-like percussion ensemble using all the members in the class. 

BLUE STAR REGIMENT drum line

All members of the percussion section participate in the fall months with the Blue Star Regiment, North High School's well known marching band.  Students are laced into positions based on their abilities and skills learned as part of the percussion studio class.

Clinics are held in May for all percussion students 8th grade through 12th grade.  Students wishing to have a spot on the fields show and enter the percussion studio class must play for placement in May.  All students are placed in an appropriate part of the ensemble and in the correct class based on their placement performance.

WINTER drum line

Enrollment: 25
Period 7 (winter/spring) Tuesdays 3-6 pm & Thursdays 2-4 pm

This is an advanced indoor marching ensemble open to students by audition. Members are selected from the Blue Star Regiment’s fall membership and the percussion studio. Students perform an indoor marching show at venues around southern California beginning in February. The season culminates with a performance at the ADLA Championships in April.

AUDITIONS (placement) for percussion

Clinics are provided to interested 8th grade and current North HS students in April and May. These dates are posted in April on the Master Calendar. The audition and placement of students in the line takes place in May. Members of the drum line rehearse weekly throughout the summer months to prepare for the first day of band camp.

WINTER DRUM LINE championships

The winter drum line once again qualified for championships in April 2012.  The show was entitled, "Tamed", a circus-like romp with lions tigers and elephants.  Always entertaining, the drum line had a great season.

Members perform at Disneyland
with the Blue Star Regiment