Percussion

The Dowling Catholic Band prides itself on its outstanding percussion program. There are currently 30 percussionists who study privately, perform solos, and participate in our outstanding ensembles. Other students who are not percussionists also choose to be a part of the program by studying privately and participating in some of the different aspects of the percussion program.

The percussion program offers the following opportunities:

• Drumline – fall semester.
• Concert Band and Symphony Band – late fall and all spring semester.
• Percussion Methods class – a percussion ensemble class offered in spring semester.
• Keyboard Ensembles – different chamber groups of mainly keyboard percussion that meet Friday mornings during late fall semester and all spring semester.
• Advanced Instrumental Methods – a private lesson class offered each semester.
• Private lessons from Mr. Hoover outside of the school day.
  

Some of the recent accolades of the percussion program:

• Drumline won numerous awards in marching band – including an undefeated season in marching band contests for 2007.
• In 2007, the Dowling Catholic Drumline was the first high school drumline in Iowa to have ever competed in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). This is one of the most highly regarded drumline competitions in the world. Dowling Catholic placed 4th overall in its first year of competition, and has established itself as a national contending drumline program.  The cymbal line won best overall cymbal line at PASIC.
• Luke Sesker (Junior) is one of the top snare drummers in the country. He placed 8th as a sophomore in the solo snare competition – high school division at PASIC, against the best high school snare drummers in the country. This year he placed 4th.
• Perry Band Olympics 2007 – of the 21 percussion events that performed, 19 earned division I ratings, and 15 earned medals for finishing in the top 5 of their respective category. 7 entries earned top placement honors. The percussionists were responsible for 15 of the 36 medals that Dowling earned, and half of the 1st place achievements earned.
  State Solo/ensemble 2007 – numerous division I ratings were achieved in solos and ensembles, including an outstanding performance award for the top performance in a center.
• The Drum Show – Dowling Catholic’s annual percussion benefit concert sold more tickets in 2007 than ever before. This show features solos, ensembles, and the drumline show music from the respective year in percussion.