TritonMusic.org

Drum Line - Triton Marching Alliance

ENSEMBLES / CLASSES

MARCHING DRUM LINE (Percussion)
The drum line is part of the Triton Marching Alliance, and is a competitive unit selected during placement clinics in May. Instruction for marching percussion is provided by two instructors. Students interested in playing in the marching percussion should also read the Triton Marching Alliance links to the right. Information about band camp and cost is available on the TMA (Triton Marching Alliance) pages.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When do practices for marching band (Triton Marching Alliance) begin? The drum line will begin clinics in May prior to placement. When a person is accepted into the marching percussion section, regular rehearsal will be scheduled for summer months. Vacations are excused.
Do I have to know scales? You must have a working knowledge of scales to be a percussionist at San Clemente HS. You will be asked to play a few common scales over the course of placement clinics.
I play mallet instruments. Do I have to play snare drum too? You must have a working knowledge of the instrument. You may be a specialist on mallet instrument, but you still learn about all the percussion instruments.
Can I be in jazz band? Freshmen percussionists are rarely in jazz band, but it is not impossible. The set drummer for jazz band is usually an experienced percussionist that has been in the program for many years.
Does everyone make it into the marching drum line? Unfortunately, there are not enough marching instruments for all interested students. Students may be placed into the marching drum line (battery and front ensemble), wind ensemble, and/or concert band.

PERCUSSION SPECIALISTS / INSTRUCTORS

Percussion students have the opportunity to study with several clinicians throughout the year. Weekly instruction takes place in addition to classroom rehearsal. This additional instruction is provided by the following specialists:

Michael Atesalp is an accomplished Instructor and Performer. Michael’s instructional accomplishments include the Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, the Anaheim Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and the WGI World Champion Clovis West High School Percussion Ensemble, in addition to assignments in the Poway Unified School District and San Diego City schools. Clinics for the California Music Educators Association conference and Yamaha Sounds of Summer program add to his list of accomplishments. As a performer, Michael has been a member of the Concord Blue Devils and performs regularly on drum set and percussion with various national, regional and San Diego based groups. Michael is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team and an endorsing artist for Aquarian Drumheads.

Nikki Olson instructs the front ensemble. She studying percussion performance at UCI, and is actively involved in several Southern California high school percussion ensembles. She has two ADLA championships, and performed with the Esperanza Drum Corps, winning the DCI World Championship in 2003.

DRUM LINE / PERCUSSION PLACEMENT CLINICS
Drum Line placement clinics take place on Mondays in May from 3-6 pm in the SCHS Music Room (#700). Placement determines who may be in marching band and/or concert band and wind ensemble.

Students must be selected and placed in the drum line and-or percussion. Placement determines who may be in marching band and/or concert band and wind ensemble.
Attendance at the clinics is part of this process.
Students that attend placement clinics will have a significantly better chance of being selected for the marching drum line (battery and front ensemble).
Middle school students may arrive later than 3:00 pm due to transportation and school schedules.
Placement clinics begin on Monday, May 5.
Incoming freshmen students (8th graders) that do not attend placement clinics will automatically be placed into the concert band class in the fall.