Not many college students are willing to leave campus on the weekend for organizations unrelated to their majors.
Sophomores Tyler Fager, marketing and sales major, and Palmer Durr, film and production major, have done just this. After joining the drumline Rhythm X, Fager and Durr had to quickly learn to balance classes, work, school organizations, a social life and Rhythm X all within a few months of their freshman year.
Rhythm X is a national not-for-profit indoor drumline that has musicians from all over country compete with other drumlines from the United States and around the world. At the end of the drumming season, the drumlines come together to compete in the world finals in April.
Both Fager and Durr became fans of Rhythm X while in their high school drumline.
"Rhythm X is a really highly revered program," Fager said. "And I have been a fan of Rhythm X for probably about five years, so it was kind of a crowning achievement to be in the group."
Fager and Durr decided to audition for Rhythm X last October. To prepare for the tryouts, Fager and Durr had to find time to practice around classes and work schedules. Durr said he would play through each exercise hundreds of times until it he felt it was perfect.
During the audition, Fager and Durr had to perform certain exercises given to them, as well as do a visual performance to show how well they moved with the drum on. Fager said the audition was one of his most nerve-racking experiences. Once he made the drumline, though, it was one of the most exciting experiences in his life.
Rhythm X is based out of Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Tryouts, practices and the world finals are all held there.
Since there are people traveling from Pennsylvania, Louisiana and other states, Rhythm X holds its practices on the weekend from October to April. Because the group is only able to meet from Friday night to Sunday night, time is used efficiently.
"Everyone there is there to be the best," Durr said.
On these weekends, Fager and Durr have to drive two hours to and from Kettering. They miss out on weekends at Ball State because of these trips, but Durr said it is worth it.
"The only thing I think I am missing out on Ball State experience-wise by being in Rhythm X is probably the student organizations like Connections Live [or] any student-led organization that gives you experience with your major," Durr said. "I don't have a lot of time for [them] because that requires a lot of weekend experience, but I try to balance them the best I can."
Additionally, they may also miss out on social experiences with their friends. But Fager said he does not let Rhythm X come between his friendships.
"I think I have definitely missed out on some things, but if anything Rhythm X has almost brought me and friends closer because being gone on the weekends makes us have to value our time together even more during the week," he said.
Not only do Fager and Durr balance school and Rhythm X, but they also make trips back to their high school in Fort Wayne to help with its drumline.
"It takes a lot of organization and a lot of heavy time management to balance Rhythm X, school, a work schedule, as well as an extracurricular schedule," Fager said.
Fager and Durr like to get as much practice in during the week as they can. Ideally, Fager said he likes to get at least an hour of practicing in a day. Because of schoolwork, he may not always have the time.
"The only way to balance schoolwork and Rhythm X really is to do the school work immediately and then if I have time go down to the practice room and play," Durr said.
Despite having to learn how to balance school, work, practicing and missing out on Ball State weekends, Fager and Durr agree being in Rhythm X is worth it.
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