The A.L. Fortune Senior Drumline secured the top spot for the sixth consecutive year at the B.C. Provincial Drumline Championships, held at the John Oliver Secondary School in Vancouver on Friday May 3, 2024. A.L. Fortune’s Junior Drumline achieved a second-place finish, further highlighting the school’s success.
The two Drumlines, taught by Nadia Sorban (Jr) and Colin MacDonald (Sr), competed against 12 others from around the province in the Concert Class division. They were judged on execution, music effect, and visual performance. A.L. Fortune Senior Drumline excelled, collecting 89.9 out of a possible 100 points.
SD83 Vice-Principal of Music Michelle Reed, who established the Drumline at A.L. Fortune some years back, commented on the bonding that took place between the Drumlines at the provincials. She emphasized that Drumline requires meticulous coordination from everyone for success. For example, she explained that time is a factor in the competition. “Drumlines have exactly 11 minutes to get on the floor, get set up, perform, and get off. There are penalties if you exceed the 11 minutes or if your performance is not at least four minutes.”
Reed added that at the provincials, the two Enderby Drumlines performed as a bonded team which was great to watch.
Originally, there was a math error, leading to the belief that A.L. Fortune’s Junior Drumline had tied for fourth place. However, upon correction, it was revealed that they had actually finished in second place with a score of 83.2 points. The top five were rounded out by Belmont Secondary School in Langford with 81.6, Rockridge Secondary School in West Vancouver with 81.3, and Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford with 68.3.
Want to see the Drumline in action? The Senior Drumline will be performing at the Okanagan Military Tattoo on May 25-26, 2024, at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. They will also be performing at an Enderby Farmer’s Market and at the school’s year end concert.