The ONUMB Drumline has two parts: the battery and the front ensemble, or pit.
The battery marches on the field and in parades and consists of snare drums, marching tenor drums (quintuple-toms),
marching bass drums, and cymbals.
The snare drums provide the drumline’s central rhythm and the band’s tempo. ONU snare drummers primarily use traditional grip.
The drumline captain (typically the most experienced snare drummer) maintains tempo during performance and rehearsal.
The marching tenor drums (quintuple toms) add pitch variety with different sized drums. ONU tenor players use matched grip
and generally play with mallets with plastic, disc-shaped heads.
The ONU drumline uses five to seven marching bass drums. Typically, each bass drummer plays a unique part.
The drumline also uses pairs of cymbals ranging from 16 to 20 inches in diameter. Cymbal players play them as crash
symbols, but also hold them as ride cymbals or hi-hats for the snare drummers.
The front ensemble, or pit, is usually centered on the front sideline and typically includes mallet instruments
like marimbas, xylophones, glockenspiels, vibraphones, and timpani.
Drumline auditions are held on the first evening of band camp and chaired by ONU percussion instructor Dr. Sarah Waters.
The audition includes prepared material, sight-reading, rudiments, scales and arpeggios for pit players. For specific tryout information, see the drumline handbook
below.
Handbook Part 1, Handbook Part 2, Handbook Part 3