Fitchburg State University has a powerful heartbeat.
The new Fitchburg State University Drumline, created in the fall, delivers a thunderous spectacle that simultaneously builds vibrant community spirit and offers students and fans unforgettable, high-energy performances at university events.
“The drumline has become a wonderful addition to our campus, bringing a new level of energy to our athletic and community events,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “Seeing this transition from a proposal in June to a performing ensemble this fall is a testament to the hard work of our students and faculty. It’s more than just music; it’s about creating a shared sense of spirit and providing our students with a meaningful way to connect with one another.”
Associate Professor of Humanities Amy McGlothlin, who has led the effort to create the drumline at Fitchburg State, said it’s been a little bit of a wild ride.
“We went from approval to receiving the drums in August, and students playing in September,” said McGlothlin. “ I'm really excited for the students. They have been really dedicated to making this happen. We hope that this ensemble provides energy and excitement at events. We just want to help keep the crowd engaged and supporting the Falcons.”
The members of the drumline are Andreus Shultz, Paige Douthwright, Joshua Leaffer, Joshua Lancaster, Andrew Miles, Brandon Rivas-Garcia, Jack Dancause, Joe James, Daryl Freeman, Sebastian Desumas, and Viktor Bruso. The drumline instructor is Lydia Lucas.
“The most rewarding part has to be putting ourselves out there,” said freshman Rivas-Garcia, a criminal justice major. “This is something new to this university. We are here doing something for the first time and learning as a group no matter our past experiences. Like for me, this is totally different because I am not competing. I am not playing the most difficult music, but I am still learning and we as a drumline are introducing this opportunity to our peers in hopes to get others to join and make something big out of this.”
The drumline has provided an emotional lift at a number of athletic contests, as well as other campus events. They have also performed at the Homecoming Pep Rally and during the annual holiday tree lighting, and performed at ice hockey and basketball games this winter.
McGlothlin said that the drumline has felt the campus love and have been well received during their performances.
Last year, said McGlothin, the university had several high schools bring their marching bands to Fitchburg State football games to try and increase engagement. She said that in the past, the university had a pep band and previously had students try and start a marching band but that never got enough traction.
McGlothlin said that she’s started bands from scratch at other institutions, and has been leading athletic bands her entire career. After telling President Donna Hodge about some ideas about forming a drumline at Fitchburg State, McGlothlin then chatted with a couple of students and asked what they thought about starting a drumline.
“It was immediate excitement,” said McGlothlin.
Then McGlothlin went on sabbatical and the proposal was put off until June.
“Without any equipment at all, I knew it was going to be a big ask, so I went straight to Dr. Hodge, as I knew she wanted something that could create excitement at campus and athletic events,” said McGlothlin. “Dr. Hodge made the purchase of the equipment possible.”
The Fitchburg State Gala supports the President’s Fund, fueling innovative programs like the drumline that directly enhance the student experience and distinguish the university.
From there, the Fitchburg State drumline was in motion.
The drumline has become a wonderful addition to our campus, bringing a new level of energy to our athletic and community events. Seeing this transition from a proposal in June to a performing ensemble this fall is a testament to the hard work of our students and faculty. It’s more than just music; it’s about creating a shared sense of spirit and providing our students with a meaningful way to connect with one another.
The recruitment strategy was completely grassroots. Since they were starting up so late, McGlothlin said she had some large posters put into A-Frames and placed outside the Anthony Student Center, the dining hall and in front of the library entrance to Hammond Hall right before freshmen moved into their dorms.
“We emailed every student that has been in band and every student that had taken percussion lessons,” said McGlothlin. “The handful of students we knew would sign up are also some of our most charismatic students, and they were talking it up among their other friend groups.”
Rivas-Garcia chose to attend Fitchburg State for the education, but admitted that he was disappointed that the university didn’t have a drumline.
“I was a little upset because I had really enjoyed playing the bass drum in high school,” he said.
But when he saw an announcement about the first ever drumline on campus, the spark came back in his eyes, he said, and didn't hesitate to try out.
“I was a little worried that I wouldn't get a spot,” he said. “I was freaking out because I really wanted to be a part of something this big. It was a chance for me to continue doing what I love and making history at Fitchburg State as a freshman. It was something I could simply not let slip out of my grasp.”
The first performance for the drumline was during the Homecoming football game against Framingham State. That was a monumental day for the entire drumline, especially Rivas.
“After that I felt fulfilled,” said Rivas, who was a member of his high school percussion ensemble that would compete in the New England Scholastic Band Association. “I felt whole again in the sense that I got to do what I love again at this amazing university. It gave me a sense of joy because not everyone gets the opportunity to continue playing music for fun, especially if there is not a music major, and the fact that I get to do this once more has me satisfied with my choice of going here to Fitchburg State.”
Rivas said that the drumline has allowed him to get comfortable to life as a college freshman.
“The drumline keeps me busy and it gave me a place as a freshman,” he said. “It made it so much easier for me to adjust, especially getting to know the amazing people who are a part of the drumline.”
The drumline eventually morphed into 11 students. While there are some music majors in the group, it’s only three, and only one of them is a percussionist.
“We have students in education, game design, engineering and criminal justice,” said McGlothlin. “It's a good cross section. This drumline is breaking down barriers across campus and allowing students to get to know more than just the people in their classes.”
The amount of experience in the drumline is pretty vast. All except one student was in their high school band.
“Some are drummers, and some actually play other instruments in jazz and concert band,” said McGlothlin. “Two of them are future music educators, so getting experience playing in a drumline will be really valuable to them in their future careers.
“The great thing about this group is that even if you have no background at all, you can learn to play something,” said McGlothlin. “Students don't have to have a high skill level to participate. Our drumline instructor, Lydia Lucas, has a real knack for knowing where to place people for them to do their best. Some of the drums require more skill than others, so there's an option if someone really wants to participate, but doesn't have a background in music or drumming.”
The commitment level is high, however.
“We have two practice sessions a week and a couple of games or events nearly every week as well,” said McGlothlin. “We try to get them the schedules pretty far in advance so they can make arrangements with the work schedules and other obligations. Students should expect to practice some on their own every day.”
Lancaster, a junior creative arts therapies major with a concentration in music and a music performance minor, plays the tenor drums in the drumline.
Lancaster has been a percussionist since joining the middle school band in the sixth grade. Ever since then, he has been in concert band and most recently jazz band. He’s also an athlete, serving as a captain for the men’s cross country team, and is a member of the track and field team. Flexibility has been the key for Lancaster as a student, athlete and a member of the drumline.
“As a student-athlete who is also in a lot of music ensembles, I find it to be easier to manage the work load compared to when I was previously an exercise science major,” said Lancaster. “Since most of my classes are performance based, learning music quickly has become a skill I have been improving immensely at. Also as an athlete, I have talked with Dr. McGlothlin and Lydia Lucas about how we can make things work around cross country/track practice and rehearsal with the drumline, and they have been very flexible with me.”
Shultz, a sophomore majoring in creative arts enterprise with a concentration in music, is playing the marching snare in the drumline, but his main instrument is the trumpet, which he’s played since middle school.
“I decided to join the very first Fitchburg State drumline because I wanted to help build something from the ground up,” said Shultz. “The idea of being part of a brand-new tradition and contributing to its foundation really excited me.”
The drumline's inventory consists of five snares, five basses, two tenors and two cymbals.
“We don't have personnel for everything yet, but we are close,” said McGlothlin. “We have a bass, two snares and a pair of cymbals that could use students. Having eight members would have marked success for me, but we have 10 now, and room for 14.”
McGlothlin sees the drumline as a foundational step toward expanded musical opportunities on campus.
“I'm really proud of how they've come together both as musicians and as a friend group,” McGlothlin said. “Lydia is a great instructor and does a great job at extracting the best out of everyone.”
The transformation of the drumline from the first day they assembled to now is mindblowing.
“The group as a whole has improved so much,” said Shultz. “I love being part of the drumline. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. The friendships, the performances, and the sense of building something together make every rehearsal worth it.”
Any student wishing to join the drumline can at any point of the year. Students can also attend a rehearsal to watch the drumline.
Any questions about joining the drumline may be directed to McGlothlin at amcgloth@fitchburgstate.edu.