Black Star Drum Line: Performing 15 years of signature beats and cadences in Madison
Hope Horne
Seeing kids doing impactful things in music, especially going on to study music, is a big compliment to me as a professional musician.
Music entrepreneur Joey B. Banks wanted to create a drum line experience in Madison like the one he had experienced growing up. He noticed there was not a drum line in the area aligning with what he envisioned, hence the birth of Black Star Drum Line in 2008.
“Creating an opportunity for kids to do what I did as a kid” was important for Banks, stepping into the role of director for the program. A family favorite at Kids in the Rotunda, Black Star Drum Line focuses on more than just the amazing performances they provide to the Madison community every year.
In addition to a drum line program, children can join the Black Star Drum Line Academy. Following their mission “to provide youth in the Madison community an opportunity for creative expression through the percussive arts,” children get the chance to become unified and empowered artists through music education, cultural enrichment and community service. They learn necessary skills to cultivate professional careers in music, the percussive arts and beyond. Throughout the year, the children in the Academy get to work up to their performance at the end-of-the-year competition – the DCI World Championship Drumline Battle in Indianapolis.
With Black Star Drum Line providing a basis of learning drum line skills, Banks has seen the kids he works with get inspired to go beyond drum line and learn more, such as drum kit through private lessons, competing and winning at rock competitions, joining marching bands and even becoming successful music students at prestigious schools, including the Berklee College of Music.
“Seeing kids doing impactful things in music, especially going on to study music, is a big compliment to me as a professional musician,” said Banks.
Getting to see the reactions first-year students have during their first performance in front of such a large and engaged audience is always an inspiring feeling for Banks. Performing at Kids in the Rotunda is a way for the kids to “support local events while also getting the chance to perform in a high-profile setting.”
Black Star Drum Line is managed by Forward Performing Arts and is a partner group to the Madison Scouts Drum Line and Bugle Corps. Children ages 9-18 can get involved in Black Star Drum Line Academy by signing up for their upcoming winter session and spring session. Rehearsals are held at Madison Youth Arts Center. To get in contact or learn more, email blackstardrumline@gmail.com.
Black Star Drum Line returns to the Kids in the Rotunda stage on Saturday, Oct. 21 for three exciting and free performances. These will be the group’s last performances of the season, which Banks says is “a great way to end the season performing at a great community event.” With the theme of “teaching kids how to be on drum line,” performances will take place at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with an American Sign Language interpretation available at the 1 p.m. performance.
“This is our most fun and interactive performance we do all year,” said Banks.
