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Drummers, take your mark
(by Njaimeh Njie - March 03, 2010)
At 7 p.m. March 6, when the drums start thumping and the beat starts bumping, one thing will be for sure.
It’s show time.
On that day, Chaifetz Arena will host The Showdown: Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Drum Line Show. For the first time in America drum lines from different schools will face off at center stage to showcase their talents and hard work for an arena full of people to see.
The Showdown has been the dream of Terry Artis since 2005. After seeing lackluster attempts at an event like this, Artis began putting the gears in motion for this historical day.
“So many people in St. Louis have connections to drums and drum lines. There’s a huge thirst for this kind of thing,” Artis says.
Artis is the founder and driving force behind Show-Me Sound, the organization hosting the Showdown. Founded in 1993, Show-Me Sound is focused on using music to enrich the lives of youths in the St. Louis area and throughout Missouri. Artis has created a program built on discipline, an intense musical curriculum and a lot of love — one he hopes can swing open the doors to a bright future for “his” kids.
Currently much of Artis’ energy goes into developing the Show-Me FOCUS Drumline. Established in 2007, the line has already traveled as far as California to compete and has performed in many local and regional events and showcases. Artis seeks members as young as middle school for the drum line — while many have school band experience, the Show-Me team looks to build on their basic skills. “What we do is on a totally different level,” Artis says.
At this level, four-hour Saturday rehearsals, at least an hour of individual study each day, and training in orchestral jazz, world percussion techniques, and military marching are all par for the course. Though the program is rigorous, Artis advocates for the added time and discipline it takes because it helps develop each child as a “total percussionist.”
This type of training and dedication is a part of the rich history of drum corps and school drum programs in St. Louis.
Reaching their peak in the 1960s, drum and bugle corps were a staple in many St. Louis African-American communities. Though similar to marching bands, the corps are based more in military and marching precision and do not feature woodwind instruments. Influential corps, such as the American Woodsmen and Tom Powell Post, marched in parades and various exhibitions, becoming well known in neighborhoods across the city.
“St. Louis was a flourishing African-American youth drum corps city,” Artis recalls.
He cites decreased funding for drum programs in city schools and for youth programs in general as primary factors in the demise of drum corps in St. Louis. “The lack of good, wholesome, strong life skills and meaningful activity has hurt our children,” Artis says.
To give the kids a taste of what drumming in St. Louis used to be (and could be again) he teamed up with longtime friend and drum corps vet Keith Lester. Lester wants to teach the kids about the finer points of drum corps, but give them life lessons as well. “We want to inspire the young kids to never give up on your craft. You’re never too old.”
This enthusiasm about honing their skills explodes even in their rehearsals. They display a unique mix of mature discipline and youthful exuberance, flanked by a good bit of raw talent. They are meticulous and professional, and under Artis’ direction are encouraged to pay attention to the smallest details. But on their rare breaks they laugh easily with each other and bounce about the gym, all the while ready to hop back to work when the signal comes.
The Show-Me Sound kids’ ability to balance the demands of the program with being regular teenagers is an impressive feat. Artis is a perfectionist and expects the best from his kids. But he respects them, and his consistent positive reinforcement helps the kids have confidence in themselves.
Artis says he aims to help each of his students to a full music scholarship to college. He is confident that exposing the kids to the HBCU drum lines will spur their excitement, but he also wants the drum lines to see just how talented his kids are as well. “I think that St. Louis will be one of the biggest HBCU draws in percussion in the country,” Artis predicts.
Artis is determined to use the Showdown to inspire change around St. Louis and beyond. “I want to re-institute these outstanding, well-organized, excellent youth activity organizations in our city and everywhere,” he says.
While those in the stands will be bobbing their heads and tapping their feet to the sounds booming from the drums, xylophones and keyboards, Artis will already be looking forward to the future. “It’s going to be an annual event,” he says. For him and all those involved in Show-Me Sound, this is more than entertainment — it’s a movement.
Of all he’s accomplished, Artis is confident of one thing. “This is the most important thing I will ever do for children in my life. This is everything for them.”
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