Black Star Drum Line: Drumming fun for the entire family
Shari Gasper
Sitting still is hard to do when about 20 drummers are on stage pounding out the beats to popular hip hop songs. Fortunately, guests at Overture Center’s free Kids in the Rotunda performances can dance, wiggle and move to their delight. Participation is part of the show, especially with Madison-based youth percussion group Black Star Drum Line.
Join the action at ‘Kids in the Rotunda’
This October marks the twelfth year in a row Black Star Drum Line has performed at Kids in the Rotunda. Drawing standing-room-only crowds, the drum line is popular with kids and adults alike. They’ve also performed at other Overture events, including the annual International Festival.
Black Star Drum Line appreciates the opportunity Kids in the Rotunda provides to introduce children to drumming.
“We teach kids how to drum, starting with exercises to build techniques,” said founder, director and award-winning percussionist Joey Banks of Madison. “It’s an interactive show, and we love to hear the drums reverberate throughout Overture Center.”
A couple of lucky young guests get to don Black Star Drum Line gear and join the band on stage to try their hand at drumming and jam with the “big kids.”
The experience is just as memorable for the band members, who “get a lot of love” from the audience.
“The students meet and greet the young audience members and sign autographs,” said Banks. “They’re treated like rock stars, which goes a long way in building their self-esteem and confidence.”
Empowering youth through percussive arts
Banks started Black Star Drum Line in 2008 because Madison had no drum corps for youth. He worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County and received drum and battery donations from HCBU Jackson State University. He named the drum line after the black star on the Ghanian flag, a reflection of his personal heritage.
Today, Black Star Drum Line rehearses at Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts). Kids, ages 8-18, come from Madison and surrounding communities—and even as far away as Green Bay. Hundreds of students have participated over the past 16 years.
Black Star Academy includes a 12-week introductory program, January through March, followed by 12 more weeks of “spring training,” where students learn repertoire and cadences, practicing songs by Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dog and more. Then June through November is performance season.
“We start at ground zero and work to build world-class drummers,” said Banks.
A former high-level club soccer coach, Banks approaches directing like coaching. The members learn about teamwork, diversity, respect and unity by playing together with students from different ethnicities and backgrounds.
“They learn what it means to be responsible, reliable and committed and to own their actions,” said Banks. “Black Star is a positive place for kids to channel their energy away from crime and negative environments. We are like a family and like hanging out together, providing a great support system.”
Banks is proud that many Black Star Drum Line students go on to participate in drum lines in college. Another logical step for participants is Madison Scouts, a premier youth performing arts organization on the modern drum and bugle corps scene. The corps boasts over 150 performing members selected from an audition process that spans the course of several months.
Finding the beat
Banks’ goal is to introduce youth to drumming, and he’d love for more kids to participate. After COVID-19 and a couple of large graduating classes, he’s working to rebuild membership.
“We have 40 sets of drums, so we can double in size,” he said. “Nobody gets turned away.”
Inspiring drummers can register at blackstardrumline.com. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at MYArts. Scholarships are available.
This year, Black Star Drum Line performed around the community about 15 times. The group recommends donations in place of performance fees for its 30-minute or 60-minute performances. Donations support uniforms, equipment, maintenance, rehearsal facility rental costs, transportation and scholarships.
Banks looks forward to another fun-filled Kids in the Rotunda show on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Overture Center. If you miss Kids in the Rotunda, Black Star Drum Line will also perform at UW-Madison’s homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 25.