The History of the Sycamore Jr. High School Drumline
About Us
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Sycamore Jr. High School is located at 1801 E. Sycamore st. in Anaheim, California 92805. Sycamore is a part of the Anaheim Union High School District, and the school is home to about 1,900 seventh and eighth grade students. Most Sycamore students will attend Anaheim High School for their 9th – 12th grade education.
Mr. Gordon began his teaching career at Sycamore jr. high school in 2002, adopting a music program that included only 2 instrumental music classes with a total of about 45 students. After two years, the instrumental music program at Sycamore had expanded to include six instrumental music courses including beginning band, advanced band, and a percussion class. Since 2004 the instrumental music program has maintained a healthy average of about 200 students enrolled each year. In 2005, after a few years of fundraising and borrowing instruments, Mr. Gordon decided that the Sycamore music program was ready to take its first brave steps into the world of competitive drumline.
Mr. Gordon
Band Director,
Music Arranger,
Visual Designer.
Mr. Gordon has
also worked as a percussion instructor at many other high schools and music groups, including:
Anaheim H.S.
Magnolia H.S.
Kennedy H.S.
Western H.S.
Cypress H.S.
Savanna H.S.
Trabuco Hills H.S.
El Toro H.S.
Saddleback H.S.
Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps
While in College, Mr. Gordon worked as a percussionist for Disneyland, performing in many different parades and shows every week.
The Sycamore Drumline performed in their first ever indoor drumline competition on March 5th, 2005. 25 Sycamore students shared a bus with The Anaheim Drumline and traveled to La Sierra High School in Riverside California, wearing green face paint and ripped black shirts. These 25 students were the first Sycamore students ever to compete in a drumline competition, and the feeling of pride and accomplishment as they posed for this picture by the bus after the awards ceremony will never be forgotten.2005 – “The Full Moon”
“The full Moon” begins with three girls walking through a graveyard at night. Suddenly, a wolf howls, and the full moon appears. The “zombies” (the battery members) begin to rise slowly and the girls scream and run away. The pit begins to play (Michael Jackson’s Thriller) and the battery zombies join in, while executing a few funny dance moves and ‘scream visuals’ timed with the sound effects from the pit.The second song performed in the show is a very short arrangement from Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” ride, during which the snare players reveal the scary faces that are taped on to the bottom of their drums. The third tune, which includes the theme from an old T.V. show (Tales from the Crypt), allows the pit to get more visually involved. Every pit member has a heart-shaped cardboard cut-out that they move back and forth to simulate a heart beat while playing their instruments with their other hand. The show ends with the battery creeping towards the audience, playing one last loud roll while giving the judges a scary look, and then going back to their ‘graves’ (behind the props) as an ‘evil laugh’ sound effect is heard from the pit.Show Description
“Hey girls...
I really don’t think it’s a good idea
to walk through the graveyard at night”
“Look! It’s a full moon”
“ Are you scared yet?
... well…. You should be”
“ You can't hide from us...
we can hear your heartbeat…
...It’s getting faster and louder”
“You were lucky this time…
...but we’ll see you again…
...next time there’s a full moon”
Narration from "The Full Moon"
2005 Competitive Results
La Sierra Show – 2nd Place
Downey H.S. Show – 2nd Place
A.B. Miller Show – 2nd Place
Championships – 3rd Place
Funniest Moment of 2005 :
I guess we didn't tape the moon
onto the prop well enough before
our second performance,
and it fell off onto the floor right
before Monique said:
"Look!, it's a full moon!"
2005 MVP's
Sergio - Our Solo Tenor Player.
Brad - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
for playing Drum Set at that show.
Tylor - The only 7th Grader ever to
march in the battery.
Monique - The Voice of the Show.
( The Undefeated Season )
Thank You all for
a great first year!
- Mr. G2006 – “The Circle of Life”
In 2006, the Sycamore drumline returned to the indoor competition circuit with a vengeance. After a good first year of competition, it was time to kick it up a notch in all aspects of their performance, which is exactly what the students wanted to do. Led by a team of enthusiastic returning members, the Drumline was determined to make this year successful… and in the end, their hard work and incredible level of dedication certainly paid off.
Show Description
“The circle of life” features music from Disney’s The Lion King, The Lion King 2, and Marimba Spiritual. The show begins like any day in Africa, with the sounds of nature and the sun rising through the trees. After a brief narration and sound effects from the pit, the drums exploded into a collection of tribal chant-like rhythms. As the three snare players played on giant-sized “barrel drums”, the music transitions into the opening song, “be prepared”. After an energy-packed demonstration of the battery members’ talents, it is time for a quick bit of comedy as the center snare player “growls” at the other battery members to protect his territory. He demonstrates his talent with a quick solo, and a tenor player answers back with a solo of his own, then we are off into a very fast-paced second tune, depicting the battles that occur in the African jungle.After the battle sequence, it is time to calm everything down and allow the pit to display their talents, which they do with a beautiful introduction to “the circle of life”. This song is performed with three different styles… the soft and beautiful ‘pit only’ version, which transitions into the ‘groove’ version that incorporates battery members playing a soothing ‘hand drum groove’. Finally, the circle of life explodes into a rock-like remix of the song, and the show ends with the battery’s energetic enthusiasm as they stand in a circle in front of the audience.
Narration from
"The Circle of Life"
“The morning sun shines through
the trees of this African jungle…
What appears to be a calm and peaceful morning, will soon become a wild celebration of the circle of life”
(Tribal singing) "MaaaaaaaaaSivegnaaaaaa Babanichibaba Shakooooo wegnyaaahaaa"
“In the circle of life, only the strong will survive…. The animals in the jungles of Africa are constantly challenging each other for their territory”
“Even the strongest animal knows that he cannot survive on his own… They travel in groups, because they know that at the end of the day, the most important part of the circle of life is their family”
2006 Competitive Results
Westminster Show – 1st place
Centennial Show – 1st place
Riverside King Show – 1st place
Championships – 1st place
The Drumline also won ALL
possible captions at Championships:
Best Snare Section
Best Tenor Section
Best Bass Section
Best Pit
Raising the Bar:
The Sycamore drumline’s final score at Championships was an 80.5, which set a new record for the highest score ever given to a Jr. Division Drumline in the American Drum Line Association’s 24 year history. Sycamore is also the first AUHSD jr. high school to win a championship in 10 years. 2006 MVP's
Tylor – One of the most talented and enthusiastic snare players ever.
Brad – A great role model for other drumline members, and an awesome tenor player.
Oscar – So much talent. So many instruments. Oscar can do anything.
Vincent – He’s the glue that holds it all together.
Johnny – Excellent narration… and excellent bass playing.
2007 - "Arrrgggh!"
After an amazing year in 2006, The Sycamore Drumline was back and bigger than ever, with a performance that featured everything you would expect from a pirate show, including a sword battle, gold medallions, a pirate ship, and music from Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. The show was a perfect fit for the drumline, considering the school’s mascot is a ‘buccaneer’. The competition was tough this time around, but the Sycamore students proved that when the going gets tough, the tough yell “Arrrgggh!”
Show Description
Before the drumline even plays a note, the mood is set with a variety of different visual aids. A 7 foot tall pirate ship stands in the middle of the group, surrounded by 3 large ‘barrel drums’ covered with pirate flags. The 30-member pit is swaying side to side while the sounds of the ocean are heard through the speakers. Every performing member comes complete with swords, bandanas, and red sashes, and oh yeah, the battery members are holding brand new Yamaha drums, purchased for the drumline by their enthusiastic and supportive Principal just a few months earlier.“Avast!” The show begins. A snare player begins playing, but where is he? The pirate ship begins to sail away to reveal our snare player – captain Jack Sparrow. After a beautiful melodic introduction from the pit to accompany Jack’s solo, the battery quickly brings the energy up with a loud opening segment that transitions into the first tune.After demonstrating their musical skills, the entire group draws their swords to let the audience know that they want their ‘gold medallions’. But first, the battery will demonstrate their skills with a few solos and the electric guitar will lead the group into a very fast-paced second tune. Challenging marching maneuvers, combined with dance moves and keyboard runs make for an energetic and tiring display, after which the battery gets to relax and pose for the audience while the narrator talks about his love for being a pirate. The pit gets the momentum moving again with a very familiar tune from a Disneyland ride, but the happy pirates don’t get much time to celebrate their pirate-ness, because here comes Davy Jones!It’s time for the sword fight! As Captain Jack and Davy Jones circle around each other with weapons drawn, the rest of the group performs the theme music for their battle. As Captain Jack knock Davy’s sword to the ground, he delivers the final blow, and his crew (the rest of the battery) gather around him to celebrate his victory, and the show ends with a celebratory yell from the whole ensemble. “Arrrgggh!”.
Narration from “Arrrgggh!”
“Avast!... Thar be pirates roamin’ these waters… hide yer’ valuables and be warned… a dangerous and deadly crew approaches, led by their captain… Jack Sparrow”
“Dead men tell no tales”
“Arrrgggh!... we’ve come for yer’ gold medallions”… (Arrrgggh!) … but first, allow us to demonstrate that we shall not take no for an answer!”
“You know … I love being a pirate… travelin’ the seas with yer’ closest mates… and even though they smell like filthy pigs … and rotten fish… I wouldn’t trade ‘em for the world… Arrrgggh”
“Watch out Jack!... it’s Davy Jones!”
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2007 Competitive Results
Riverside King Show – 3rd place
Centennial Show – 2nd place
Santiago Show – 1st place
Championships – 1st place
Raising the Bar… Again
The Sycamore drumline’s score at the Santiago Show was an 84.3, which set a new record for the highest score ever given to a Jr. Division Drumline in the American Drum Line Association’s 24 year history. The previous record had been set one year earlier by the 2006 Sycamore Drumline
2007 MVPs
Marcus – Our “Captain Jack”.
Daryl – A great musician… so dedicated.
Angelica – An amazing performer.
Johnny – The perfect voice for the show. Marianne – So very talented.
Josh – A natural-born drum set player.
2008 - "Home of the Brave"
The 2008 Sycamore Drumline presented a show entitled "Home of the Brave", which was dedicated to all of the men and women who work so hard to protect our country. This was perhaps the most serious and emotionally gripping show attempted by Sycamore in the past 4 years, and many performances left audience members in tears because of the deep level of patriotism and gratitude that the students displayed during the show.
Show Description
The show begins very softly with only a quiet chord from the synthesizer and the soothing sound of wind chimes. Only one battery member stands in the center of the stage, facing the american flag. The narrator begins to recite the pledge of allegiance, and a solo snare drummer helps to create a distant, war-like feel that mimics the soundtrack from the movie "Saving Private Ryan". The members of the battery soon appear on stage from behind the trees that are set up along the back of the court. The battery is wearing army-style camouflage uniforms and they salute the crowd as a few of them demonstrate their skills by performing solos. Soon, the music erupts into a full ensemble sound as the battery marches slowly toward the audience in a triangle formation, while the pit plays the ending of the national anthem loud and proud. This patriotic moment immediately changes course and the soundtrack morphs into a familiar hip-hop beat from the song "Stronger" by Kanye West. The visual package to support the show is constantly integrating millitary ideas while the students are performing. The battery will sometimes run and hide behind the trees and peek their heads out just long enough to 'shoot' their 16th note rhythms at the audience.At the beginning of the second half, the pit performs the soft and familiar melody from "Shenandoah" while two members hold up a sign that says "we support our troops" The audience applauds them and the show transitions into another familiar song from Metallica entitled "One"In the final scenes of the show, the pit begins a long creshendo using the song "Ameria the Beautiful" as 4 drumline members appear dressed as Firefighters and Police Officers to salute the audience and recieve more applause. The show ends with a very fast paced, patriotic tribute to America, as the firefighters and police officers demonstrate a famous pose with the American flag.
Narration from
“Home of the Brave”
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America... and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”
"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you... ask what you can do for your country"
“We would like to dedicate this show to the heroes of our country who have fought for our freedom”
“...and we salute the brave men and women who continue to protect our lives, our homes, and our country”
“The United States of America... the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave!”
2008 Competitive Results
A.B. Miller Show – 3rd place
Riverside King Show – 1st place
Whittier Show – 1st place
San Gorgonio Show - 1st place
Championships – 1st place
The best jr. high drumline program ever?
With this year's gold medal win, the Sycamore Drumline is now the only jr. division drumline ever to win three consecutive championships in the 26 year history of the American Drum Line Association. They also still hold the record for the highest score ever and have won more first place trophies in the past 3 years than all other schools combined. (10 first place finishes out of 13 competitions)
2008 MVPs
Andrew – Captain & Musician of the Year
Javier – Awesome snare drummer (shank!)
Stephanie – Thank you for everything.
R.J. – The perfect voice for the show.
Jesse – Pit captain & Snare soloist.
Jesse – Pit captain & Snare soloist.
Mayra – 2 years of synthesizer - thank you!
Congratulations to Andrew, Roberto, and Edgar for being named best tenor section at ADLA championships! Great job guys - you deserve it.
Congratulations to Andrew, Roberto, and Edgar for being named best tenor section at ADLA championships! Great job guys - you deserve it.
2009 - "The Red Dragon"
The 2009 Sycamore Drumline presented a show entitled "The Red Dragon", an original story about raising a baby dragon. This visually stunning presentation included everything from Karate uniforms to an authentic 50 foot dragon kite imported from China. The show was complete with karate moves, a fun and uplifting soundtrack, and a very positive message delivered by two enthusiastic narrators.
Show Description
The show begins with a very calming "zen-like" meditation sound from the pit, while the battery practices their karate moves. The visual mood is set with a girl holding a baby dragon (puppet) while puffy clouds (held up by the prop-carrying members of the drumline) float slowly in the background. The narrator explains the importance of raising our baby dragon with honor, and the calming mood soon changes to an exciting exhibition of drumming skills as a solo drummer creates a groove for the battery members to build on.
After a quick drumming demonstration, the battery shows off their fighting skills by pairing up for a few karate chops and blocks. The first part of the show ends with the entire ensemble yelling the traditional "Hi-Ya!" at the audience.
Now the fun begins, as the narrator explains the importance of a well-rounded education for our dragon, the ensemble begins to play a dance-like soundtrack as the drummes show off their smiles and dance moves. The 50 foot dragon kite is also now in play as the 7 members carry it and dance along with the drummers, weaving in and out of the drill formations.
The final part of the show takes us to a more serious note, as the narrator describes the importance of letting the dragon fly off and explore the world on his own. The musicians provide a very inspirational soundtrack as the dragon flies away and the drumline takes their final bow to the audience.
Note from Mr. Gordon: "What many of the students may not know about this show, is that I designed the story as a metaphor for raising children, mainly because of the fact that I was about to become a father. The message in this show will stay with me as I do my best to raise my two little dragons."
Narration from
“The Red Dragon”
“When a Red Dragon is born, he is neither good nor evil... it is up to us to guide him”
"First, we will instill upon him the concepts of strength, discipline, and honor"
“With the proper training, our dragon with have the heart of a warrior!”
“A red dragon must have balance in his life... discipline is great, but it is also important for our dragon to have fun”
“The toughest part about raising a baby dragon is knowing that sooner or later, you'll have to let him fly away”
"If we truly love our red dragons, we will have to learn to let them go"
2009 Competitive Results
Eleanor Roosevelt Show– 1st place
Riverside King Show – 1st place
Jurupa Valley Show - 2nd place
Championships – 3rd place
2009 MVPs
Francisco – Captain / Snare drummer
Keyvan - Co-captain / Tenor drummer
Maruany – Synth. / Musician of the year
Cesar – Always willing to help out.
Mayra – Leader of the Dragon People
2010 - "The Golden Spud"
In 2010, the Sycamore jr. high school drumline takes the audience on an adventure straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. This visually amazing presentation had everything you would expect from a treasure hunting adventure, including snakes, mummies, angry temple gods, and ... a potato (?). Yes, the golden spud is the center of our story, and this little Mr. Potato Head doll helped our drumline experience another successful, fun, and exciting year.Show Description
The show begins with the golden spud sitting in the center of the floor on it's pedestal. The pit plays some eerie "temple" music as our Indiana Jones adventurer sneaks over toward the idol to try to steal it before the mummy guards awaken. As soon as he touches it, the trees begin to shake, and a loud boomy voice warns him that the trouble is about to begin. The battery members (mummies) come out from behind the trees and chase our adventurer away. He returns later during part 2, but not before our snake dancers come out to help the battery protect the idol.
The snake sound effects and the dancers are soon charmed by our hero, who returns with a clarinet to play the famous "snake charmer" song for them.
As soon as he thinks the snakes and mummies are under control, the adventurer goes back for another chance at the golden spud, and this time he grabs it and walks away. But the mummies return, angry as ever. It looks like it's time to take out the famous "Indiana" whip. WHIP IT !
In the last part of the show, The mummies and dancers are able to convince our hero to put the golden spud back, and they all perform together in a fast paced, exciting finish.
The golde spud is safe again... for now.
Narration from
“The Golden Spud”
“Fool !!! you have touched the forbidden treasure !!!... Now the wrath of the jungle will seal your doom !!!”
"Snakes... why'd it have to be snakes"
“You have chosen ... wisely”
2010 Competitive Results
Mission Hills Show– 1st place
Riverside King Show – 1st place
Jurupa Valley Show - 2nd place
Championships – 2rd place (tie)
2010 MVPs
Josh – Captain / Awesome Snare drummer
Kelsey - Lead Synthesizer Player
Alfonso – Drum Set Player for both years
Nathan – Our Indiana Jones
Dancers – Thank you for your hard work!
Coming Soon... 2012!
2011 - "T.K.O"
In 2011, The Sycamore drumline performed an explosive 2 round boxing match in our show entitled "T.K.O." Complete with audio quotes from all-time fighting legend Muhammad Ali, this show also delivered an important message about never giving up, even when you are down. Audiences cheered as the members of the drumline demonstrated both their drumming and their fighting ability in an epic 5 minute battle between the drummers and the dancers.Show Description
The challenging fighters (battery drummers) in red shorts are in their corner, with their backs to the audience, while the current champions (dancers) in blue shorts are getting pumped up for the fight. The bell rings and the announcer introduces the fighters, then the action begins. After a brief demonstration of their drumming and dancing ability, the fighters come together to exchange a couple of punches. The dancers hit the drummers with a surprise right hook that leaves the drummers dizzy, and the dancers temporarily celebrate as the battery tries to figure out where they are. At the end of round one, the dancers punch the battery over and over and the battery members have to be saved by the bell.
In between rounds, the battery members are thinking about giving up, as they take out their white towels and start to wave them. Sudenly they get their second wind and decide to finish the fight.
Round two begins with another opportunity for the drummers to show off their talents, and the dancers do the same as they perform during the pit feature. Near the end of round two, the dancers and drummers come together once more to exchange punches. This time, the drummers surprise the dancers with a knock out blow that lands the dancers on the floor.
The announcer signals the end of the fight, and the Sycamore drummers are the new champions!
Narration from “T.K.O.”
“In this corner... from Anaheim, California... it's SYCAMOOOOORE!!”
"oooh... he took a hard right hand to the face I'm not sure he knows where he is right now"
"Sometime you feel like just giving up, but you know that somehow you have to find the strength to keep fighting"
"Never give up, never surrender. That's what it means to have the heart of a champion"
"by way of Technical Knock Out... the winner, and new heavyweight champion of the world... Sycamore!"
2011 Competitive Results
Westminster Show– 1st place
Mission Hills Show – 1st place
West Covina Show - 1st place
Championships – 2rd place
2011 MVPs
Daniel – Captain / Awesome Musician
Danna - Lead Synthesizer Player
Ricardo – Drum Set Player
Santiago – Thanks for learning tenor parts!
Dancers – Thank you for your hard work!
