Berkley Drumline Strives to Keep the Beat

Things are going to get a little loud this fall as the  Marching Band expands from 74 to more than 100 students. Since September, when Alan Posner joined the Berkley School District as band director at the high school and , he’s focused on strengthening membership. 

“The biggest drop for band students is between elementary and middle school, and again between middle and high school,” Posner said.

The rise this year has a lot to do with the enthusiasm that Posner’s brought, and also because students have had opportunities to reach their personal best at solo and ensemble competitions this year, including students such as Ryan Levy, Mitchell Hart and Zachary Lask, whose percussion ensemble received a first division rating at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA).

Though Levy is graduating next month, Hart and Lask will return this fall, along with a dozen more percussionists to form the pulse of the Berkley High School Marching Band.

Posner says that interest in drumline this year was actually greater than the number of instruments available that are in good working condition.

“Most high school marching bands keep their percussion equipment between eight and 10 years. Competitive bands will replace their drums every three to five years,” Posner said.

The current drumline equipment is more than 15 years old – older than some students playing them. 

“I’m concerned that we won’t be able to continue having a functioning drumline without a replacement soon. Many rims are warped, making it difficult to replace drum heads, which sustain normal wear,” Posner said.

The Berkley School District continues to be supportive of its award-winning instrumental music programs. According to Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, director of Curriculum, Technology, Assessment and Grants for Berkley School District, the district does fund special areas such as band, but larger-need projects, such as drumline, might only receive partial funding.  

"Typically, a large project such as this would be multi-funded – district, music departmental budget, high school budget, boosters, private donors and fund raisers," she said.

Efforts are already under way to secure funding for new drumline equipment, estimated at a replacement cost of nearly $15,000.

The Berkley Instrumental Boosters (BIB), which supports the band and orchestra programs in the Berkley School District, has fundraisers planned, and donations from alumni and community members are welcome.

“Playing on these outdated instruments will only decrease the educational success of the marching band and drumline,” Posner said. “New drums will allow students to be placed on instruments that better suit their abilities and justify their hard work and dedication.”

During Berkley Days this weekend, the drumline will be out in force trying to raise money through its bake sale. The BIB will also be manning a booth to sell raffle tickets to benefit the band and orchestra.

In addition, Mystic Kettle Korn will be for sale at the booth. Randy Lipman, a Huntington Woods resident and owner/operator of Mystic Kettle LLC, shares proceeds from kettle korn sales with the BIB in an ongoing fundraiser.

“Local retailers , , and , as well as the have been host to sales totaling more than $600 in proceeds for the BIB in April,” said Lipman, who attributes the fundraiser's success to both the seemingly endless dedication and support from the Berkley community, and the continued help from her daughters Sophie, a Berkley High School freshman, and Ella, a Norup International sixth grade band member.

While Mystic Kettle Korn proceeds benefit band and orchestra, the drumline will also be accepting donations at the  on June 9, while performing sometime between noon and 5 p.m. Plans are in the works for a drumline bottle drive as well.

“I am amazed at the intrinsic motivation, commitment and skill of this group,” Posner said. “Proper equipment will help the drumline support the school and the community we serve.”

If you would like to make a contribution to drumline, send cash or checks payable to Berkley Instrumental Boosters, c/o Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley MI 48072-1897.