Radford University Welcomes Drumline at Basketball Games
The new Radford University drumline, which launched this semester, is already making waves on campus, bringing a fresh and exciting new dynamic to basketball games. Led by William Newton, a faculty member in the percussion studio, the drumline was conceived as part of a broader vision to revitalize the school’s music offerings. Newton, who was approached last fall to help run the pep band, saw a perfect opportunity to introduce a drumline that could eventually become a core part of a full pep band. “The hopeful goal is to try and expand it into a full pep band with a drumline as part of it,” he said, describing his vision for the group’s growth.
The drumline is made up of some of Radford’s most talented percussionists, many of whom are music majors and percussion studio students, making it a particularly strong group from the start. Newton expressed his confidence in their abilities, knowing them well from his time teaching them in the percussion studio. “They do drums all day, every day,” he said. Newton’s long-term vision for the drumline includes expanding it to include non-music majors who are also drummers, a move he believes will help diversify and grow the group. He added, “We get to start off this season with a particularly strong group,” with plans to make it even stronger in the years ahead.
Auditions for the drumline are currently held online and Newton encourages students, even those with limited experience, to audition. “If you haven’t played drums in a really long time or played in a marching band in high school, I think a lot of those students would do really well with this,” he said, emphasizing the inclusivity of the process. The drumline offers opportunities for those new to the activity, particularly with roles such as cymbal lines, which are ideal for beginners looking to get involved and eventually move on to more advanced percussion instruments.
For students like Phillip Lockey, participating in the drumline is a valuable learning experience. “I really appreciate the learning experience I’m having,” said Lockey. As someone planning to teach music in the future, Lockey understands how crucial it is to be well-versed in various percussion instruments. “If we didn’t have a drumline at Radford University, I would not know how to teach,” he explained. “I would be losing out on one of the biggest percussion education markets there is.” Lockey also encouraged others to audition for the drumline, noting that the group is eager to grow in size. “Auditions are going to be in the fall. People should audition because we want the drumline to be larger,” he said.
The drumline is not just about music; it’s about creating a fun and spirited atmosphere on game days. Newton hopes the drumline will energize the university’s sports events and bring a sense of community to Radford’s campus. “I’m just super excited about the group being here,” Newton shared. “I hope that it brings a lot of excitement to the game day, and brings energy.” He invited the campus community to join in the excitement and participate, saying, “If you see us doing stuff in the stands, like cheering and standing and screaming, please, please jump in and join us, because we want to make the game day as awesome as possible for everybody.” With increasing enthusiasm and a strong vision for the future, the Radford University Drumline has already made a significant impact and is poised to become a key feature of the university’s game day experience.
