Percussion, winter guards to slam-down for MadTown ThrowDown

Members of the Bob Jones Drumline gathered for this photograph last fall. (CONTRIBUTED)

The Bob Jones Drumline rehearses its show, “The Shadows.” (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Percussionists will blast some super bass and winter guards will dazzle with showmanship at the MadTown ThrowDown on March 1.

The Bob Jones High School Drumline is hosting the event in the main gym. The contest is affiliated with the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit (SCGC).

“The atmosphere is definitely exciting,” drumline director and assistant band director Leigh Thomas said. “Ensembles from all over Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi will come to perform in our facilities. Show days are always exciting for performers and audience members.”

Currently, 55 units — 11 percussion, 44 winter guards — have registered.

Away from marching season, “it’s cool to see color guard and drumlines stand apart from a band and perform a show by themselves,” Thomas said. “Every show is different. It’s fun to see all the different shows, props, costumes and themes.”

Instruments in the Bob Jones Drumline are snare, tenor and bass drums; cymbals; marimbas; vibraphones; xylophone; bells; electric and bass guitar; electric piano; synthesizer; and various auxiliary percussion instruments.

Bob Jones’ show, “The Shadows,” “depicts different forms a shadow can take,” Thomas said. “Maybe it’s something lurking in the unknown or in someone else’s shadow … either way, there’s something eerie and mysterious in the air.”

“The music goes hand in hand, setting the mysterious mood,” she said.

Bob Jones Winter Guard will present “Queen’s Quarrel,” which involves a chess game but “with a twist of tango. It’s a duel between the white queen and the red queen, two senior soloists,” Thomas said.

Admission is $8 at the door. The event is open to the public. Winter guard classes will start at noon, drumlines around 3 p.m. and other guard classes at 5:30 p.m.

Bob Jones Drumline will perform at 4:40 p.m. and Bob Jones Winter Guard at 6:42 p.m.

For more information, email to bjhsdrumline@gmail.com, Facebook/Bob Jones Drumline or Twitter @BJDrumline.