Loosing your plume in the middle of the show is not uncommon. As a matter of fact we probably all have lost one during a performance at some point. However, Ben Ybarra from Veterans Memorial Early College just redefined what it means to deal with your plume in the middle of the performance.

While roaming the back sideline during their prelim performance at the Bands of America Conroe Regional, I just happen to notice that a bass drummer didn't have his plume on top of his shako. However, in his right hand, he had control of his bass mallet AND HIS PLUME. So I kept watching this performer push through his show and executing some pretty sick splits. 

Then during slow part of the show, Ben had the opportunity on the back side line too get the plume settled into his shako and continue the show.

I caught up with Ben and the rest of the battery outside the stadium and asked him what happened? Ben said that they start the show without their carriers on and therefore leave their plumes off to start. Then after they picked up their carriers and drums, they have to insert their plumes into their shakos. But on the move, Ben could not quite get it in place before he had to start playing. The plume wouldn't fit into his mallet rack and it wasn't staying secure resting on the carrier hooks. So after exhausting every option he just held the plume while playing.


Ben Ybarra, Bass 3, having repositioned his plume