Newark, NJ –- September 16, 2016 — Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Department of Neighborhood and Recreation Services Director Patrick Council announced today that the City of Newark will hold registration for its 2016 Drum & Drill Team Program for youth on Friday, September 16, at 5:30 p.m., in the Boylan Street Recreation Center, located at 916 South Orange Avenue, in the City’s West Ward.

The program will teach youth aged 6-18 in drum and drill techniques, and is a collaboration with the Unique Drill and Drum Corporation. The program is co-ed, and open to Newark residents. Participants will learn drumming, dancing, and drill techniques in the program. It will also reinforce musical training for Newark youth, improving their ability to qualify for high school music programs.

“Drum and drill teams have become a modern American tradition, and teach their team members many valuable life lessons about teamwork and discipline. This program will enable our youth to learn new skills, make new friends, and represent our City with pride and energy. I urge all Newark youth to participate in this program,” Mayor Baraka said. “This program will also be a feeder program for our high schools’ music classes.”

Five teams will be organized in the following age categories:

·         Peewees: Ages 6-8

·         Juniors: Ages 9-12

·         Intermediates: Ages 13-16

·         Open: Ages 17 and up

·         Drummers: Ages 8 and up

Youth seeking to participate in the program must complete a registration form and answer a questionnaire about their physical condition. They must be able to carry drums and march in parades.

The Unique Drill and Drum Corporation is a Newark-based organization that provides to urban communities in the Essex County area, recognizing the importance of non-traditional recreation programs. Created in 1999 by five Newark residents, the organization began teaching drum, dance, and drill skills to 50 local youth. Continuing to this day, it also provides a community service component, which feeds the homeless, providing food baskets to families at holidays, and bookbags to children as part of back-to-school events. The corporation also assists its participants with homework.

The corporation has competed in statewide drill, dance, and drum events for the past 17 years, winning five championships.

“This is the first time we have partnered with the City of Newark to bring this program to City youth, and we are very excited to do so,” said Head Advisor Latarsha Williams-Johnson. “This program keeps kids off the streets and away from drugs and violence, and gives them opportunities to learn new skills and explore their talent. They also learn the value of discipline and teamwork with their own peers. Some go through this program all the way through high school, and it enables them try even harder, to get high school diplomas and college degrees.

“When I see the kids out there, I feel wonderful. I have kids in college who were in this program themselves. I saw the changes in them. I have had parents come up and thank me for what it has done for their kids,” she said.

Youth must present proof of Newark residency when registering for the program. For more information, contact Donnell M. Redding at the Boylan Street Center at (973) 733-8947, Ms. Williams-Johnson at (201) 898-9467, or Drill Sergeant/Trainer Jamel Thomas at (201) 640-5199.