Students learn about the Sound of the South

Whether a student plays the snare, tenor, bass drum or even cymbals, the Sound of the South (SOTS) drumline has a place for them. Prospective drumline members were given an opportunity Saturday morning to learn some of the music they would have to learn for SOTS and get a head start on upcoming summer band camps, including the percussion camp in June. 

Drumline Interest Day was the first event of its kind.  

“For June Camp, we have essentially two and a half days to put our entire show on the drums,” said Marching Percussion Instructor Robert Clayson. “We have to learn about eight minutes of music in 48 hours, a warmup packet and a cadence so whenever I don't have to do introductions to playing techniques during June camp it always makes it much, much easier.” 

General band camp information and information related to general Sound of the South practices were given to prospective members, then they were taught some of their warmups and cadences. 

Clayson continued to stress the importance of learning quickly to students interested in joining the drumline. 

“We don't have the time most days to spend an hour and a half on one thing,” Clayson said.

“We have on any given rehearsal day 50 different things that we must do, and we only have about an hour to do it.” 

Clayson wasn’t the only one teaching students about upcoming music. Returning members of the drumline taught potential members as well, allowing them to gain some more experience.  

Will Heeres, a senior instrumental music education major and future graduate assistant from Wicksburg, Alabama, talked about what he enjoyed most about teaching these students. 

“Just getting into the nitty gritty of here's where you came from and here's how we can improve,” Heeres said. “Getting everyone together, seeing the melting pot that is the Troy band and starting the process to getting it all the same.” 

Prospective students have many more opportunities to participate in preparing for the next season for Sound of the South. For the drumline, there’s a percussion camp in June, and for the band in general, there’sa summer high cchool music and leadership camp held every year.