The University of Memphis marching band is known as the Mighty Sound of the South, and with over 200 members, there are many intricacies that come together to form their colossal sound.
The drumline, with just 30 musicians, is one small part that makes up much of the sound in the monumental band.
Zeke David, a 25-year-old graduate student at the University, writes and arranges all of the parts.
David, who is working toward a degree in percussion performance, has been teaching drumline at the U of M for three years. Before that, he was a member of the drumline for five years, eventually becoming an active leader.
"The marching band always had older undergrads there to teach the line," David said. "So when the guys there during my time finally graduated, they put in a good word for me with the director at the time and asked me to start being the main guy."
David began playing drums 14 years ago in the 6th grade, starting out on a bell kit in his band class.
Now, David writes and arranges the percussion parts of all of the songs the band plays, usually after the rest of the music is finished.
"I typically listen to a recording of the song several times and just think about what I would want to hear if I had nothing to do with the group," David said. "Then I think of what I would want to play and try to combine the two."
In addition to writing all of the drumline's music, David also teaches drum fundamentals and technique. U of M students are not the first he has instructed, as he began teaching at Covington High School immediately after he graduated.
He is also currently instructing the members of the Munford High School marching band, which has won 14 of the 18 University of Memphis Bandmaster's Championships.
During practices, David wants students to see playing drums as a catharsis rather than something that just takes up time.
"When I have a drum in front of me, I have no worries," David said. "A lot of students don't get that out of playing the drum. Most people can't go without looking at their phone for two hours or thinking about what's going to happen after a practice."
He instructs and plays in the Grizzline, the Memphis Grizzlies' drumline, where he plays anything from "snare tenors to the bass drum." He also plays gigs with people needing a percussionist.
"A lot of churches will hire out to play in big performances around Christmas and Easter," David said.
Along with playing locally outside of the University, David played with the Drum Corps International competitive summer tour for five summers playing the bass drum, his favorite drum to play. His favorite equipment to have, however, is drum stands.
"Stands! By far the best piece of equipment a drummer can have," David said. "Nothing sucks worse than having to carry a drum all day."
According to Morgan Cromwell, a junior art therapy major and Grizzline cymbal player, David "is very specific from the get-go about technique, but he makes sure everyone is on the same page before he teaches anything new."
Cromwell also believes that his experience with the DCI has influence on his teaching style.
"He writes things that are challenging, but not so difficult that it discourages people," Cromwell said. "It's even better that he knows everyone's skill level so he has an idea of exactly how to write the music."
Josh McKeney, a recording technology major and bass drum player in both the drumline and Grizzline, said that David's respect towards his students greatly helps his teaching style.
"It's not exactly something that would always work in an educational sense but really helps us improve ourselves."
McKeney believes that David's history with the bass drum affects the way he writes.
"So much of what David writes is very heavy on the bass drum, and that extra responsibility helps me work myself as a better musician," McKeney said.
Sameer Shirazee, a snare player in the Memphis drumline, believes playing in a group is better for a musician's technique compared to playing alone.
"Playing in a group vastly helps you improve your skills," Shirazee said. "If you play by yourself, you won't have other people telling you what you're doing wrong and you won't progress. Group feedback about timing and technique is one of the best teachers."
For students wanting to join the drumline, the group holds their spring training in the Communications & Fine Arts building on Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
