The TCU Drumline won the college division of the Marching Percussion Festival held at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).  

“This is similar to winning the national championship in their field,” Brian West, TCU professor of percussion, shared in an e-mail circulated around campus.

From 26 drumlines, TCU was awarded the Fred Sanford Award for the highest-scoring drumline of the day. Additionally, TCU was awarded caption awards for the best snare line, best tenor line and best front ensemble.

“It is important to note that the literature performed by the Drumline was all composed by TCU alumni,” West wrote. “Dave Hall ’08 MM and Jacob Remington ’09 were both commissioned to write for the TCU Percussion Orchestra, and their works were re-arranged by Remington to used as the Drumline show this year.”

Competing at PASIC helps increase the profile of TCU and the School of Music, West said.

“It is one of the best ways to increase visibility … and reach thousands of percussionists from around the world,” he wrote.

The TCU Drumline has also performed at a high school football game between Aledo and Fort Worth Southwest. The group has also joined with high school bands at Lake Highlands High School, Southwest High School and Pflugerville High School to perform percussion concerts. “All of these programs are directed by TCU alums as well,” West added.

The TCU Drumline also won first place at PASIC in 2006, and the TCU Percussion Orchestra won in the concert competition in 2011, 2008 and 2005.

In November, the TCU Marching Band, below, kicked off the NASCAR AAA Texas 500 Race at Texas Motor Speedway by playing the national anthem.