The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Ed Ryan The Drumline Live ensemble amazed the audience at Jorgensen Friday night.

The Drumline Live ensemble had audience members dancing in their seats Friday night at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.

The live show, influenced by the 2002 hit movie "Drumline," involved more than just percussion instruments. Trumpets, tubas, trombones and saxophones were played loudly. The musicians not only proved they could hit the high notes, but they simultaneously sang performed in choreographed dance routines.

All the performers in the show were from America's top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Many of these colleges were founded in the second half of the 19th century to create opportunities for blacks to receive higher education. The marching bands from these schools started off supporting their football teams and eventually evolved into high-energy, dancing and musical performers.

The Drumline Live performance began when a mix of brightly colored lights hit the stage and the host of the show explained how the ensemble would be performing a piece influenced by traditions in Africa. The performers were dressed in purple and magenta glittery silk outfits as they danced and played their instruments.

After this bold performace, the stage cleared and the drum major, the leader of the drumline, was in the spotlight. Once he awed the audience with his dance moves, he blew his whistle and the rest of the marching band appeared on stage, playing a variety of songs, including Stevie Wonder's "You Can Feel It All Over." With instruments still in their hands, some of the marching band members turned into a full-fledged step crew.

The program shifted gears and the host gave the audience some background knowledge on the music genre, Motown. He explained that Motown is a mixture of gospel, blues, swing and pop music. The host said the drumline performers would be taking the crowd down memory lane as they performed famous songs from the Motown's heyday.

Singers and dancers impersonated renowned singers and musical groups such as Tina Turner, The Temptations, The Supremes, James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

UConn marching band students said they thought the show was incredible.

"They are amazing musicians," said Collen Mello, a 2nd-semester math major who plays clarinet in UConn's marching band. "I liked the beginning when they were actually marching."

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