Playing to their own beat

The 11th annual Drums Along the Waterfront will make a bang at its new location at the University at Buffalo Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, July 6.

Seven of the world's best and most talented youth drum and bugle corps will bring all the power, precision and pageantry to Amherst for this musical competition.

More than 1,000 of the finest youth athletes/musicians from around the country will march their way into UB Stadium. Each competing corps includes 135 members under the age of 22 playing brass, percussion and color guard.

This family event is akin to several Broadway musicals performed along the gridiron of a football field. Think of the hit movie "Drumline," cranked up a few notches and you have Drums Along the Waterfront.

"We are extremely excited about bringing this world-class show to the UB Stadium in Amherst," said Jack Gaylord Jr., DCI regional coordinator and event producer. "It is truly a community-wide event that has such a broad appeal to everyone who loves music, athleticism and just pure family entertainment. It's truly a piece of Americana."

Competing groups include the Santa Clara Vanguard; The Madison Scouts; Spirit of JSU from Jacksonville State University; Cascades from Seattle, Wash.; Southwind from Lexington, Ky.; and Troopers from Cheyenne, Wyo.

There will also be two special exhibitions:

+ The popular Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Corps from LeRoy, N.Y. Unlike the competing corps, Mighty St. Joe's corps members have an average age in the 60s and claim to have aged to perfection.

+ The Brigadiers from Central New York are a five-time Drum Corps Associate Champions.

As in past years, there will be a free clinic conducted by the Spirit of JSU at 4:45 p.m. July 6 and is free with a ticket to the show.

Tickets for the rain or shine Drums Along the Waterfront are $22, $18 and half price for children under 12, and are available through tickets.com at 888-223-6000, www.tickets.com and through the UB Stadium box office at Alumni Arena. For group discount tickets, call 532-2797. For more information, visit www.drumsalongthewaterfront.org.