Feel the Beat: Drumline Comes to NFA Evening School

NFA Evening School is excited to offer a Drumline Class for students in grades 8–12 at Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus.

The class meets Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. and gives students an opportunity to learn percussion, develop musical skills, work as a team, and experience the excitement of performing as part of a drumline.  The course runs by semesters - Semester 1 - Drumming I for .5 credits and if you would like to continue on to Drumming II in Semester 2 you can earn an additional .5 credits in Music.

Drumline is much more than playing drums. Under the guidance of drumline instructor, Dion Placencia, students learn the fundamentals of percussion, including proper stick technique, rhythm, timing, coordination, drum rudiments, musical notation, cadences, and ensemble performance. Students learn how different percussion parts work together to create one powerful, unified sound.

Mr. Placencia works with students at their individual skill levels, breaking rhythms into manageable parts and gradually building more challenging musical patterns. Students practice listening to one another, maintaining a steady tempo, following a director, memorizing music, and performing together with precision.

Just as importantly, drumline provides an opportunity to develop skills that extend beyond music. Students practice teamwork, concentration, responsibility, perseverance, leadership, and self-confidence. Every member of the drumline has an important role, and students quickly learn that the success of the group depends on everyone working together.

The program can also provide opportunities for experienced students to become leaders and mentors while allowing beginners to discover a new musical talent. As students progress, they can work toward learning complete cadences and preparing pieces that may be shared with the NFA school community.

Whether a student already has percussion experience or simply wants to try something new, the NFA Evening School Drumline offers a positive, energetic environment where students can learn, create, connect, and feel the beat!

NFA Evening School Drumline

(Sem 1 - Drumming I / Sem 2 - Drumming II) .5 credits per Semester

Grades: 8–12
Location: NFA Main Campus
Days: Mondays & Thursdays 
Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m.