Their beat leads an army of marching cougars as Dakota takes the field. Their “badum tish” and “badonkadonk” fuse with the wind and brass players to encompass the audience in an awe-inspiring experience. Their cadence helps guide 190 students in parades. They are the Dakota Drumline.

Instructor Kurt Reyes was brought to Dakota when a friend, the past director, asked him to join. Seven years later, Kurt and Brandon (also an instructor) have led the group to new levels and divisions. The past 2017 winter season for the drumline became a new standard for the line. With a strong, aggressive yet simple theme as fire, the team focused on how their overall performance can encapsulate their audience. Ending the season at championships, the team was eager to striving to be better for this fall season. Kurt explained how motivating the team can be a process in understanding each person; however, their own desire to be their best helps instructor and players work together to create their best work for each performance. They want to be better just because they can. Often times, exposure to other groups and see what they could do in videos or actual performances, fires the team up to improve even more. Furthermore, they motivate themselves with group chats and get together–keeping them more as a family.

Seniors and close friends, Justin Scuillo and Nick Minauro, speak so often how drumline has been a love of their life since they joined. Both marched different instruments their freshman fall season, but their heart led to drumline. Nick says that season after season, drumline has been so rewarding and it doesn’t compare to playing wind. The encouragement and togetherness within the drumline keeps their heart in this family. “It’s a place where you learn to work hard and have fun with your friends” and that’s something that stays with you forever.

As the new season begins, excitement for the flame of a new beat begins. Last season brought new visual aspects, like more dancing, elevated their performance to match their playing. For Justin’s senior year, the thrill of new faces eager to join this winter season is encouraging for further improvement and addition to the family of the drumline. Instructor Kurt and Brandon have prepared new challenges for every member. Beginning the usual season clinics earlier this year, a galore of new students eager to join embodies how the season, as Justin puts it, may be “the best one yet.”