DU HISTORY - The Early Years

In 1994, a group of percussionists brought together by the desire to play drums "just for the fun of it", formed an independent drumline called SuFuDu.

The plan was to form an elite drum squad not affiliated with any school district, but included students from high school and universities around the region. Auditions were held and 12 kids, mostly students from Roosevelt, Washington and Brandon Valley High Schools, walked into Du's first rehersal the very next week. The line was comprised of a talented group of drummers, all who had a passion for performance above and beyond the call of the brief fall marching season.

Even though SuFuDu originally stood for Sioux Falls Drumline, it has grown to include members from out of the Sioux Falls area. The drumline has earned a reputation for precise and quality persussion and has become a favorite premier performer at regional parades. In the last 15 years, members have come from as far away as Aberdeen, South Dakota and Marshall and Fulda, Minnesota. Although the unique name no longer bears a real meaning ,it represents the creativity and originality that the group stands for.

The first couple of years were hard and the founding members had to overcome many obstacles. The student run organization had to learn not only how to entertain, but many lessons along the way. They each learned about business (with outstanding loans from purchasing their drums) and how to work as a team within an organization (scheduling, travel arangements and newsletters). Mostly, they learned about hardwork, commitment and friendship.

Today, the sucess of SuFuDu is built on the foundation of it's founding members. Year after year, SuFuDu members present one of the most entertaining and "tight" drumlines in the country.