Holland College’s School of Performing Arts (SoPA), a partnership with Confederation Centre of the Arts, is offering drumline coaching to music students at Charlottetown Rural High School as part of a Music Performance program outreach project.

Drumline is a difficult and highly technical area of percussion performance which requires technical precision and a high level of music reading. It is a very popular style with young people due to its media coverage at professional sports events and entertainment products such as the movie, Drumline.

“The performance of drumline music is a great way to foster positive experiences for high school musicians by promoting education, creativity, and freedom of expression,” said Alan Dowling, head instructor for SoPA’s Music Performance program and the drumline coach.

Ten Charlottetown Rural music students have joined the drumline project, learning and practicing for two 45-minute lunch-time sessions per week. Holland College provides them with drumsticks, drum practice pads, drumline music and materials, and the use of actual drumline instruments for coaching, rehearsals and performances.

Mark Parsons, music teacher at Charlottetown Rural, is pleased that the program is being piloted with his students.

“The drumline outreach program is an extremely beneficial opportunity for our students. The technical skills they are learning are transferable to all of the music they will encounter while in high school. These skills will help our students advance their musical and technical abilities allowing them to engage in more challenging repertoire,” he said.

The drumline plans to perform in concerts with Charlottetown Rural High School and the Holland College Welshmen Community Band.