Victoria Arredondo
Assistant Editor
Texas A&M University-San Antonio now has a drumline: The Shadow Line. The group officially launched Oct. 2 as an extension of the university’s spirit program and debuted Oct. 27 at A&M-San Antonio’s fifth annual Trunk or Treat.
Courtney Bobb-Meilinger felt compelled to start a drumline and went on to collaborate with Lindsey Reese, esports assistant coordinator, who also shared the same enthusiasm.
The event where drumline made their first appearance was during the fifth annual Trunk or Treat, hosted by A&M-San Antonio on Oct. 27.
“There was a drumline organization or group that tried to start two years ago — I’m not sure what happened to that group, but they did exist,” said Bobb-Meilinger, assistant director of spirit programs.
“I was like ‘why not have a drumline?’” Reese said. “It’s a very good investment from a university standpoint: it’s highly portable, like if we need to play inside or outside.”
Bobb-Meilinger and Reese were able to access the previous drumline’s equipment and revived the band. Soon after, Reese organized interest meetings for the drumline.
“Then it came down to the conversation of what we were looking for within a drumline,” said Bobb-Meilinger. “At that particular point in time, she [Reese] was relying on the students to generate their thought and process of what they wanted [the drumline] to be.”
Madison Morales, a communication sophomore and a co-founder of The Shadow Line said that because the drumline is a part of the spirit program, the goal for them is to be present during the school’s sports events.
Morales also said that the drumline tried asking the director of athletics Darnell Smith to help get a space. This space was the Modular C building on A&M-San Antonio’s campus, where the band will hold their meets and practices.
“We’re still working on it because of the sound policy,” Morales said.
According to the Student Code of Conduct, there is no longer a policy prohibiting amplified devices — however, intervention can occur if the sound causes a significant disturbance to the learning environment and a faculty member complains.
“We don’t discourage anyone from joining drumline, even if they don’t have experience,” Morales said.
There are currently eleven members on drumline, but the band continues to encourage students to join if they want to. Students can join drumline by showing up at their practices, or approach one of the members if they see one.
Although no dates and times have been confirmed, the drumline’s official performance debut will be during Fiesta.
“All we know right now is that they’re enthusiastic and that they’re ready to go — they want to be a part of everything if they can,” Bobb-Meilinger said. “My part is just to support them and try to get their voice out there and get them spaces to be seen and also promote that idea of school spirit.”
