Drumline: Humble Yourself or Life Will
In the year 2002, the film Drumline aired and gave marching bands everywhere a voice. People often attend football games for football, however, Drumline demonstrated just how essential a marching band is to its school or in this case a HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). In the beginning of the movie viewers immediately learn that high school senior, Devon Miles, has a cocky demeanor. This truth is evident during his high school graduation where he remixes the band director’s original selection because he felt his way was more favorable. The protagonist then decided he was ready to take Atlanta A&T University, more specifically their drumline, by storm.
When Devon starts his journey at the HBCU as a freshman, he is quickly humbled. Devon believes he can do a better job at the solo performance over his section leader Sean Taylor but folds when the pressure of millions of fans are on him. Although evidence proves Devon is the better player, he wasn’t ready just yet to take on such a sizable audience like Sean had been doing for years. This moment began the humbling process with Devon and helped him step into his section leader’s shoes for a second. Some of us don’t enjoy allowing others to lead or enjoy sharing the limelight with others. We somehow think this will dim our light or we simply don’t have faith in other’s talents like we do our own.
Moreover, it was revealed to his bandmates that he could not read music. Devon lied on his application and this one lie discredited both him and his amazing talent. Everyone on the line knew how to read music even if they didn’t play half as good as Devon. Without these basic fundamentals such as reading music, he couldn’t really thrive the way he would’ve had he not lied. In life, there are times when dishonesty can and will catch up to you and you are then forced to deal with the repercussions.
At the climax of the film, Devon got kicked off the drumline. His sole reason for attending college let alone reason for breathing was so that he could get the opportunity to play. Devon was humbled when not only his bandmates and section leader turned their backs on him but so did his band director, Dr. Lee. Devon arrived at his downfall expeditiously and even found himself begging to get back on the line. In a moment when he was pretty much ostracized, it was safe to assume that he was going to quit and move back home. He didn’t and instead he persevered, even when that meant starting from the bottom when he was once at the top. No one wanted anything to do with him, not even his upperclassman dancer girlfriend. Yet, another humbling experience.
Life truly humbled Devon after all hope was lost of him ever playing on the drumline again. He ended up collaborating with his former section leader, trying to help the guys he once played alongside. In this scene, his pride was put aside, and his enemy became his friend. We saw Devon put his passion into the new musical catalog, shared his personal ideas and resources. He basically became a music teacher to his peers in preparation of the final classic performance. At a time when he knew he wouldn’t be performing with the group; he still chose to help and give one hundred percent of himself so they could win. In this moment, it wasn’t about him anymore, it was about something greater than him and he had to humble himself to realize and accept that fact. Not everyone is able to see through the fog of their ego and pride and worry about the bigger picture versus their own personal agendas.
In the final moments of the film, Devon had to watch his bandmates perform from the stands instead of being on the field with them. Dr. Lee and Sean had a change of heart and extended some grace to Devon, allowing him to play at the last minute. They acknowledged the humility and growth that developed in Devon during his off season. In the end, Devon wasn’t the same arrogant, unteachable boy that he was in the beginning. One of life’s humbling experiences led to an evolution in his character, both as a man and as an exceptional drummer.
