The Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers creates a bold, thunderous percussion sound that makes people want to move. Our signature voice comes from both how we play and what we play: larger-than-standard 15" snare and tenor drums, oversized 28" bass drums, and powerful 14" cymbals. That sound is driven by disciplined technique, deep groove, and a shared passion for performance. The result is a commanding, syncopated pulse—felt as much as it is heard—that defines the Last Regiment experience.

We welcome drummers of all experience levels, ages 13 and older—from beginners to seasoned performers. The Last Regiment operates in a corps-style environment that emphasizes discipline, focus, and steady improvement. The learning curve can be steep, particularly for beginners, and success requires consistent attendance, personal practice, and a strong commitment. Many beginners find the challenge deeply rewarding. If you're excited by the idea of pushing yourself and growing as a musician, we encourage you to join us!

You don't need your own drum or equipment to start. If you have sticks, mallets, or gloves you prefer to use, feel free to bring them. Comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a willingness to learn are strongly recommended. When you arrive, ask for Greg, Jody, or Lyle and we'll get you settled.

It depends on you—your experience, how fast you learn, how much you practice, and the rhythm in your soul. Typically, it takes a few months of practice. For some, it's shorter. Some people take longer. There is no timeline requirement. Some people pick it up quickly, and some require more practice and dedication. You won't know until you try, and whatever outcome you find is okay.

Here's the path from new drummer to gigging member:

1. Show up and learn. Come practice with us. Learn the beats, and understand your drum's parts. More importantly, learn how your drum fits in with the rest of the instruments.

2. "Playing in Fours." Once you understand your parts, we'll give you the opportunity for a mock-tryout that we call "playing in fours"—it's exactly like a tryout, but without all the pressure! We'll create a group with you on your drum and one person representing each of the other sections. Greg will call a series of cadences, and we'll all get to listen to you and the other three drummers doing your stuff!

3. Official Tryout. Once you've proven you can hold your own in "playing in fours," you may officially try out for the band—to earn that coveted jacket with your name on it, and the opportunity to perform with us at paid gigs. If you nail it, you're in! If not... keep practicing, and try again!

Once you master the drumbeats and marching techniques, you can try out for the band, gaining your uniform and a place in the line to start performing at shows. We play an average of 4 shows per month and expect members to make at least 2/3 of the shows.

You do get to express a preference! However, our band leader may request that newcomers be assigned to sections based on how badly we need help in that section, and based on your past experience. If you desperately want to play bass drum, but we already have six active bass players and only one cymbal player, we'll probably ask that you start on cymbals. If you have past experience playing snare drum, especially if you've used the traditional grip, you'll probably go to snare. (Those folks are harder to come by!)

Not unless you want to be stuck there! We like to have people cross-train into other instruments after they've gotten comfortable and reliable with their first instrument. As long as switching to a new section won't harm the one you're leaving, we usually let people move around and learn the new parts. But ultimately, it's the band leader's call as to who goes where, and when.