FOLIO
by Liltera R. Williams
If you missed this past Saturday’s performance of Drumline Live, based on the 2002 film and presented by The Artist Series, you missed an entertaining production full of masterful schematics and jaw-dropping musicianship. The 39 member cast of HBCU students from all over the country wowed the audience with their skillful precision and animated choreography. A lineage of genres was covered in two acts. The cast delivered popular tunes from old school, traditional artists like Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin and ended with the upbeat tempos of modern hip-hop hits.
Act one featured a vibrant interpretation of African culture, an enthusiastic drum major spotlight, comedic Motown impersonations, a tribute to Michael Jackson, the magical mechanics of glow stick drummers and a phenomenal, praise-filled Gospel medley.
Act two began with an invitation of audience involvement during a spectacular drum solo. Snare and bass drummers showcased their individual expertise, igniting audience participation right before the stage mysteriously transformed into a jazzified juke joint.
Performing the Halftime segment on a stage 100th the size of a football field was an amazing conquest, but the excitement was heightened during the Ultimate Drum Battle, a spectacular display of one on one playful drumming. Thunderous roars of the Drumline followed and led to an illustration of Funky Footwork which highlighted popular dance moves of the 80s and 90s. As audience members prepared to exit, a New Orleans inspired conclusion spilled over into the lobby of the Times Union Center for an encore.
Drumline Live was an authentic representation of the HBCU tradition. It proved that a marching band is not just a halftime specialty. More importantly, it is a musical platform composed of dedicated and trained instrumentalists who are willing to pledge a full-time commitment to honing their craft as they reap the lifetime benefits of educating and entertaining music lovers worldwide.
Follow FOLIO!