Something is going on with the national champion drumline at Upper Darby High.
I'm just not sure what.
We initially got word that changes were in the works, with some people actually suggesting that the group was being disbanded.
But when our reporter Kevin Tustin took that information to the school district, they put a different spin on it.
District spokesperson Dana Spino denied that rumor, and instead said the program actually was being expanded, becoming part of a new percussion ensemble program that will allow more kids to take part in the award-winning group.
Anything that sounds like a "cut" causes waves in Upper Darby, where a few years ago parents were in full revolt when the district mulled the elimination of much of the music program because of budget cuts.
Drumline actually is funded by the Upper Darby Band and Orchestra Parents organization.
So all is well, right?
Maybe not.
Late last night I received an email from a reader who noticed the story we posted online yesterday afternoon.
He suggested we take another look at the story, insisting the group - at least in its present form - is being eliminated. He suggested the new group is more of a percussion ensemble, but it is not competitive drumline that won a world championship just three years ago. He also mentioned that this year the drumline went to the national championships held every year in Dayton and took first-place honors, beating out 43 other bands.
He believes there isn't a single member of the drumline who is in favor of this new organization.
So which is it?
We'll try to find out today.
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