The capacity of Rogers Arena in Vancouver is 18,910, and thousands more watch Vancouver Canucks games on TV.
All of those eyeballs will see the Sardis secondary school Drumline in action during the 2021-22 National Hockey League season. Members of the drumline will be travelling into Vancouver for each of the 41 Canucks home games, starting with a Tuesday night (Oct. 26) game against the Minnesota Wild.
The Chilliwack youths will be performing on the ice and on the concourse.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 an awesome press opportunity for us,香蕉视频直播� said Grade 12 student Thomas Mordaunt, one of the 香蕉视频直播榲eterans香蕉视频直播� on the young team. 香蕉视频直播淭he drumline played at the 2012 (Winter) Olympics (in Vancouver), and played some Canucks games around 10 years ago too, so it feels like we香蕉视频直播檙e going to be bringing the drumline back up to that level after being in a lull for a few years.香蕉视频直播�
Nervous members of the team gathered Friday after school for a rehearsal, and journeyed to Abbotsford that night for an appearance at the Abbotsford Canucks home opener. With so many new members, every moment of prep counts before hitting the big stage.
香蕉视频直播淎bout half our the group is returning from last year,香蕉视频直播� Mordaunt said. 香蕉视频直播淭he entire bass drum line is new. About half the cymbals, almost all the tenors and two or three snares are all new.
香蕉视频直播淏ut what I香蕉视频直播檝e always told everyone is, 香蕉视频直播楴obody cares how good you play. All that they care about is how well you entertain. If you have lots of energy and look like you香蕉视频直播檙e playing it right, most people won香蕉视频直播檛 be able to tell the difference. So, while playing perfect parts is helpful, the most crucial part is to be engaging.香蕉视频直播�
Mordaunt played a Canucks game once before, back in Grade 9. He described it as a nerve-wracking experience, but also tons of fun.
香蕉视频直播淗aving the Jumbotron zoom in on each person香蕉视频直播檚 face, and seeing yours on that huge screen, it was like 香蕉视频直播楾here香蕉视频直播檚 18,000 people staring at me right now,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈 he said with a laugh.
Emily Werner, a Grade 10 student who is leading the bass drummers in her first year with the senior team, said she worries about doing her part correctly.
香蕉视频直播淏ut most of all I worry about slipping on the ice,香蕉视频直播� she added. 香蕉视频直播淚 was on the ice at a (Chilliwack) Chiefs game a few weeks ago, and fortunately it (the ice) was pretty cut up from the hockey, so it wasn香蕉视频直播檛 a problem. You just have to avoid the goalie areas.香蕉视频直播�
This is going to be a big time commitment for teenagers who have other things like jobs and homework to worry about, which is why the entire team or 25-30 students won香蕉视频直播檛 be going into the city. Each game will feature six or seven drum liners, 香蕉视频直播渃reating energy and fun for the fan experience.香蕉视频直播�
They香蕉视频直播檒l be on the concourse. They香蕉视频直播檒l play during television advertising breaks and entertain the crowd between periods.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e not played a gig with a group that small. It sounds a lot different and you have to play a lot louder. It香蕉视频直播檚 a challenge, but it香蕉视频直播檚 also exciting,香蕉视频直播� said Werner, who loves songs that include lots of movement and yelling. 香蕉视频直播淚 haven香蕉视频直播檛 had a chance to play in front of a crowd this big either, but it香蕉视频直播檚 always cool to look up and see people enjoying what you香蕉视频直播檙e playing. You香蕉视频直播檙e the star of that one moment.香蕉视频直播�
The ongoing gig will be a huge revenue generator. The drum line will be paid per game, with money going to equipment upgrades and repairs.
The drumline has been at Sardis secondary since the late 1990s since being developed by Bruno Gagnon.
eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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