“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>Last year when Terry Artis of Show-Me Sound introduced his new local drumline showcase, it had the feel of a “why didn’t I think of that?” instant classic. And it is back!
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>“Showdown: Historically Black College & University Drum Line Show and Recruitment Fair” returns to St. Louis 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6 at Chaifetz Arena.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>The 2011 production features the drumlines of Howard University, Central States University, Lincoln University, Harris-Stowe State University, the Show-Me Sound F.O.C.U.S. Drumline and guest community ensembles.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Artis is excited to bring Howard to town. He said, “The Howard drumline is extraordinarily well-known across the nation, so I thought they would build on the strength of event.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Howard’s participation begins before the first stick strikes a drum. University representatives will host a scholarship recruitment event Thursday, March 3 at Central VAP High School.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Artis also wants local audiences to appreciate the local touch to this year’s programming. Drumlines from our local HBCU, Harris-Stowe State University, and several local public schools – including East St. Louis Lincoln High School, “font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>University City
High School
and Carr Lane Middle School – will participate.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Artis has done as much as anyone in St. Louis to introduce youth to drumlines and focus them on the activity. This is about much more than entertainment.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> “Drumlines build discipline, physical and mental discipline, of children, which is extraordinarily important in our ability to focus and make good decisions for ourselves,” Artis said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> It also builds skill sets to supplement classroom education.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> “Drumline builds mathematics – counting beats in measures, knowing the kinds of notes and what kind of notes get what beat,” Artis said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> “It enriches science knowledge, when you talk about fulcrum, point of balance, velocity of the stroke, height of the rise – at what level you bring the stick up to – what kind of response you get to the different levels of rise.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> The communication that goes into drumline rehearsal and performance also builds language arts skills, he said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> Artis is proud that “black decision-makers” stood up to support his event, crediting Richard Mark at Ameren, Joe Palm at the State of Missouri and Marie Elliott at the Missouri Department of Transportation.
“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> “There was strong support for my sophomore effort from black decision-makers, based upon the effect of last year’s show,” Artis said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Showdown: Historically Black College & University Drum Line Show and Recruitment Fair returns to St. Louis 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6 at Chaifetz Arena. Tickets are $15 and available at the Chaifetz box office, Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or 1-800-293-5949, or at www.thechaifetzarena.com or www.metrotix.com. Children 15 and under will not be admitted without an adult. For more information, visit
