Like the Hollywood movie ?Drumline?, the Island will now have its own team of young drummers.

The Drumline is made up of students from all the Middle Schools and they will perform alongside local and international acts, on May 21, at the Bermuda?s National Sports Centre.

The event will feature the award-winning Howard University ?Showtime? Marching Band from Washington D.C., the Fredrick Douglas High School Marching Band of Baltimore, the Port Chester High School Marching Band from New York, and the Livingstone College Marching Band of North Carolina.

The Bermuda Middle School Drumline will also be joined by the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, The Bermuda National Gombey Troupe, The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and steel pan player Robert Symons.

The Bermuda Middle School Drumline organising committee co-chair, Dr. Melvyn Bassett, principal of Sandys Secondary Middle School, said the event was a first for Bermuda ?which we believe will capture the imagination of the whole community?.

?Our primary purposes are threefold: to create a memorable and exciting community event for residents and visitors; to foster appreciation and youth development and education in the performing arts; and to raise funds for four deserving Bermuda charities that support our youth.?

The recipient charities are the The Bermuda Sloop Foundation, the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble, the Sandys Sports Centre and the Government?s Performing Arts Scholarships.

Minister of Community Affairs and Sport Dale Butler said the event promised to excite and entertain the entire Bermuda family.

?It is my hope that Drumline Bermuda will inspire our youth to develop our own marching band,? he said.

Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, a Howard University alumnus, said he was proud to know the university band will be here in Bermuda. ?Bermudians are in for a real treat,? he said.

Dr. Bassett also appealed for corporate support to help meet the estimated $150,000 budget.

Organisations wishing to donate or sponsor the event can telephone Dr. Bassett or Patricia Chapman on 234-1346, 234-0870, or 335-6899, or 236-0829, 234-1524, or 735-4948 respectively.

Tickets for the event go on sale on April 1 at $50 and $20. They are available at People?s Pharmacy, Caesar?s Pharmacy, Robertson?s Drug Store, participating schools and online at www.boxoffice.bm.