On Tuesday November 26th, the Buffalo Bills official drumline group — Downbeat Percussion — came to our District and treated our Middle and Elementary school students to an INCREDIBLE show! 

Downbeat Percussion/Buffalo Bills Stampede Drumline is the official drumline for the Buffalo Bills, and our students showed up in their Bills gear ready to rock the auditorium!!!

The group performed for students on the MS Auditorium stage before bringing dozens of students up on stage for dance competitions and drumming challenges. They also performed outside of the ES in the bus loop in a second show later in the day, and met with percussion students for a private clinic event to share their knowledge and insight.

Mrs. Meghan France, Music Teacher at Williamson Middle School, organized the event. She's been in conversation with the creators of Downbeat Percussion for years, she said, hoping to bring them to our school — and this year, everything finally aligned perfectly to make it happen!

"I've stayed close with some of the members since we marched together in high school and again with the Empire Statesmen Drum and Bugle Corps," Mrs. France said. "The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive—they were inspired and motivated by the expertise and energy of the performers."

The entire experience was so effective for students, both those who are budding percussionists and those who might not be, Mrs. France said. 

"Our percussion students, spanning grades 4 through 12, had the rare opportunity to participate in one-on-one clinics with the Downbeat members. They gained invaluable foundational techniques that are critical for their growth as musicians," Mrs. France said. "But watching the stage show from the audience was truly moving. Seeing the Williamson students so captivated by the drumline performance reminded me of the magic of music and its profound emotional impact. It was a beautiful moment to witness them falling in love with music in real time, and it reignited my own passion for the art."

Thanks to Downbeat Percussion for putting on a great performance and giving our students a chance to come up on stage and take part in the whole experience, and thank you to Music Teacher Meghan France, the Music Department, Arts & Ed, the Tech department, and all the folks who made the assembly a great time for all. Unforgettable... GO BILLS!