Pep band and drum line energize crowd at Seahawk basketball games

Upbeat songs, crazy dance moves and boundless energy combine to make the Anacortes High School drum line and pep band an entertaining part of the basketball season.

Students break out their school spirit at games to spread excitement.

“We’re kind of our own energizing group,” said junior Hayley Davidson, drum minor.

As many as 43 students pack the musical cheering section playing songs like “Louie, Louie,” “Crazy Train” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

But it’s more than just a cheering section.

Students involved in drum line and pep band help choose new songs, choreograph shows and largely direct themselves.

“I prefer them to be self-motivated as much as possible,” said director Warren Newton. “It’s important for the students to drive themselves. That’s what it’s about. When students get out of high school they have to direct themselves.”

He helps coach if needed, but Newton said the students lead the charge.

“They’re in there with both feet,” he said.

Newton and the students decide on new music, often listening to selections online.

“There’s nothing worse than picking something everyone hates,” he said. “You have to do that dance between cool and difficult.”

Drum major James LaFave said some songs have tradition behind them and others are just picked to enhance the party feeling.

“Song selections are aimed at crowd pleasing more than ability and taste,” said LaFave, a senior. “These are more to entertain.”

“The songs are short and upbeat and fun,” Davidson added.

The pep band dances are also a combination of passed down moves and new additions.

“It’s been that way forever,” LaFave said. “Some of it is stuff people made up on the spot and we kept doing it.”

At basketball games this winter, crowds were treated to a new drum line performance.

“I like the interaction between the drum line, the cheerleaders and the crowd,” said senior Leah Heiberg.

“It’s my favorite part when the crowd gets into it,” added junior Kevin Flannigan.

Captain Chris Hyde choreographed the basketball routine. The senior has been involved with drum line since eighth grade, when he was pulled up to play the cymbals.

“I get to play drums and that’s what I like doing,” he said.

Drum line students practiced twice a week for a month to get the new routine down.

“Everyone was really into it,” said sophomore Sterling Laws. “We’d like to come up with a new one next year.”

Laws has wanted to be in drum line for years.

“I saw them playing at a basketball game when I was little and thought it was really cool,” he said.

He also plays drums outside of school.

“It’s fun to play all percussion,” Laws said. “It’s all beats and stuff instead of melodies.”

Even with the intricate memorized songs, students rarely miss a beat.

“We don’t get off much on cadences. We’re pretty tight,” Laws said.

Flannigan said if drummers get lost, some stop playing.

“That’s the worst thing you can do. Stop playing,” he said.

Flannigan is preparing to take over as captain next year and has plans to continue with drum line beyond.

“It’s college level that’s next. Maybe playing at UW or Washington State,” he said.

Newton is just thinking about next year. He expects to lose up to 14 students to graduation.

“It depends on what’s coming in but we’ll be smaller next year,” he said.

Students plan to go to the middle school this month and play at elementary schools to encourage more students to think about getting involved in music.

LaFave said often pep band members start off shy.

But that doesn’t last long.

“You see them as seniors now and there’s no stopping them,” he said.