Huntsville Community Drumline

Frederick Douglass said it best, "It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men." During my 30 year teaching career and being a single mother, I recognized the need for after school youth programs that were non-sports related, fun, exciting and with far reaching benefits. Youth love the drums so in June of 2010 I founded Huntsville Community Drumline. The drumline is housed in a one of a kind 8,000sq. ft. facility. With the help of volunteers and professional musicians, students in grades 1st through 9th rehearse for two hours, twice a week year round. Instruments and instruction are provided free of charge. Huntsville Community Drumline is using rhythms and beats to keep kids off the streets. The youth are developing a love for music and the performing arts. They are learning a craft that requires and instills discipline, encourages teamwork, self respect, respect for others and improves hand eye coordination. It requires participants to be physically active. They have to put down the video games, the ipods, the ipads, the cell phones etc. and get up and move! At Huntsville Community Drumline we are training the next generation of leaders. Drums are the tools we use to accomplish this. The youth who participate in our programs are charged with the task of teaching the skills they master to younger less experienced members. Our talented Stickmasters are a much sought after group. They have performed over 350 times for community and cultural events, grand openings, ribbon cuttings, churches, civic groups, private parties, parades, foundations, schools, daycare centers, military instillations and shopping centers. Our drummers will also have a competitive edge when competing for college scholarships. Would you please help keep this initiative going? We have responded to the call for positive, affordable, community youth programs that keep children active and off the streets. Please support this initiative. On behalf of the youth of Huntsville Community Drumline, thank you for helping us, "Build Strong Children", by helping them achieve their greatness, one beat at a time.