It sounded like football season at the Bridgeport High School Band Room Thursday. Throughout the week, the BHS Drum Line practiced every morning, getting a jumpstart on next week's band camp and ultimately the 2016 performance season. 

 

And a strong season it promises to be, said Michael Burge, a BHS Band alumni who regularly provides volunteer instruction.

 

“Things are going extremely well and this year’s show is going to be very exciting – one you won’t want to miss,” he said. “We have a very talented group this year, including several new percussionists.”

 

This year’s main cadence is “Spoonman” and a special cadence for the bass line is “Bass Man,” Burge said.

 

There are 20 young musicians on this year’s line – four snares, two tenors, five basses and nine in the pit, he said. At the percussion camp, which was also held on the BHS grounds, Band Director Chris Hayslette and others worked with the line on fundamentals and marching, as well as cadences and the field show which is titled “Infected.”

 

“It’s always great to get a head start before band camp actually starts,” Burge said.

 

BHS Band Camp will be held Monday, July 25 through Fri., Aug. 5 after which a sample field show performance will be held at Wayne Jamison Field. The BHS Drumline will attend the Drum Corp International show at Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh Aug. 3. 

 

Get a sample of this year’s drum line at the video below and see several photos at the gallery link.