North’s largest Drumline since 2003 will head to Indianapolis on Feb. 18 to compete against 15 other drumlines in a Regional competition. The the 28 member team is performing a three-piece show entitled “A picture’s worth…”

“We are trying to give the students the best opportunity to make semis, which is the top 20,” band leader Jeff Morman said. “We are trying to give our students the experience of performing nationally and not only to perform but succeed through our design.”

With seven new members, most of which are underclassmen, Drumline has turned to the upperclassman to take the lead.

“We have very strong leaders, but we also have very new players,” Moorman said. “Getting them all to play at the same level, whether they are freshman or a senior, and ready for Nationals will be difficult.”

Senior Erin Long is one of the new leaders and heads the Marimba Pit section. Another senior leader is Nick Reuther, who is the Student Section leader.

“The seniors really help,” sophomore Jacob Lesinski said. “They always give you advice if you if you need it.”

The new members have also made the atmosphere of Drumline practices different.

“Last year the practices were more laid back, and we had a lot more of them, allowing us to get a lot of things done,” senior Taryn Lenke said. “This year having three practices a week puts the pressure on us to actually learning everything.”

In past years, Drumline members have not made it to semifinals. With this year’s large team and focused practices, Drumline members have high hopes to make it to semifinals this year.

“We’re trying to be a better line, trying to get up and start winning,” Long said. “It makes us try harder to win because the feeling of not winning or not doing as well as you want is a really awful feeling. Winning is a really good feeling or knowing you had a good performance.”