Steady drum beat rocks 'Night of Drums'

STORY & PHOTOS

By KATIE RICKMAN

HOWLAND

As family and friends hurried to get a good seat last week for the sixth annual “Night of Drums,” the steady beat of multiple drum lines warming up filled the air.

At designated spots throughout the parking lot at Howland High School, bands from four local high schools waited with their drums, tapped out various percussion cadences and prepared to march to the football field where they would show off their skills.

The “Night of Drums” that took place last Tuesday at Howland has been growing steadily, said Craig Rezabek, the high school’s band director. The high-school bands that performed were Mathews, Warren G. Harding, Boardman and the host band. The evening ended with a guest appearance by the drum line from Youngstown State University.

Rezabek said the Howland students not only showed what they had been working toward all summer, but the performance also gave them the opportunity to play pieces composed by a band member.

Percussionist Nick Keshock of Boardman summed up the importance of the night by saying, “I love this! It’s a big thing for the community. ... I come here and meet new people. ... It brings us together.”

The next drum-line show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Boardman’s Glenwood Middle School, 7635 Glenwood Ave., and will feature performances from local high-school bands.