By Minh Truong
In an orchestra or a band, it might be the flashy saxophones or the attention-grabbing guitars that get all the attention, but make no mistake: the drums are the real leader of the piece. That is how Bella Hallam, a grade twelve senior, rightfully sees herself: the person who sets the tempo – the rhythm that the other instruments need to play along to.
In her final year at Collingwood, Bella is a part of three different school bands, and has been playing the drums since she was in grade six. Given the choice between the drums and the flute, she chose the drums because it was different, a choice that has served her well for six years.
While it is not a career choice for her, it’s a demanding hobby and elective, that can be “really crazy”. In that aspect, it is a good thing for Bella that while drumming can be crazy, it is also a great way to relieve stress and anger. She might love playing the drums, but sometimes it is not always just a love of the beats. Essentially, drumming is her musical answer to kickboxing; it’s fun, stress-relieving, and once you get the hang of it, you can get a lot out of it.
One of her favourite drumming moments was playing ‘Absoludicrous’, a snazzy jazz number, in assembly. She counts it as a time when the band played it well and she had quite a few fun solos to really show off her skills. When it comes to other drummers she admires, Bella considers Ringo Starr to be one of her favourite drummers. She prefers to play along to funk and rap songs.
Outside of playing the drums, Bella, like most other Collingwood seniors, is speeding along to the finish line of graduation in June. Although drumming is not her primary focus post-high school, she does hope to have an opportunity to play in university. Bella plans on working in the film industry (you might just see her onstage at the Oscars in fifteen years!). So, whether it’s in band, school, or outside of both entirely, don’t forget – Bella is the leader, and she is going to make sure you remember it.
In an orchestra or a band, it might be the flashy saxophones or the attention-grabbing guitars that get all the attention, but make no mistake: the drums are the real leader of the piece. That is how Bella Hallam, a grade twelve senior, rightfully sees herself: the person who sets the tempo – the rhythm that the other instruments need to play along to.
In her final year at Collingwood, Bella is a part of three different school bands, and has been playing the drums since she was in grade six. Given the choice between the drums and the flute, she chose the drums because it was different, a choice that has served her well for six years.
While it is not a career choice for her, it’s a demanding hobby and elective, that can be “really crazy”. In that aspect, it is a good thing for Bella that while drumming can be crazy, it is also a great way to relieve stress and anger. She might love playing the drums, but sometimes it is not always just a love of the beats. Essentially, drumming is her musical answer to kickboxing; it’s fun, stress-relieving, and once you get the hang of it, you can get a lot out of it.
One of her favourite drumming moments was playing ‘Absoludicrous’, a snazzy jazz number, in assembly. She counts it as a time when the band played it well and she had quite a few fun solos to really show off her skills. When it comes to other drummers she admires, Bella considers Ringo Starr to be one of her favourite drummers. She prefers to play along to funk and rap songs.
Outside of playing the drums, Bella, like most other Collingwood seniors, is speeding along to the finish line of graduation in June. Although drumming is not her primary focus post-high school, she does hope to have an opportunity to play in university. Bella plans on working in the film industry (you might just see her onstage at the Oscars in fifteen years!). So, whether it’s in band, school, or outside of both entirely, don’t forget – Bella is the leader, and she is going to make sure you remember it.