Young musicians look to drum up funds

? Who: One of a Kind Drumline.

? Concert: 7 p.m. Friday.

? Cost: $4; $3 in advance.

? Dinner and

concert: 6 p.m. Saturday; includes a silent auction.

? Cost: $10; must buy tickets by Thursday.

? Where: Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St.

? Benefiting: The Drumline’s leadership program and post-secondary scholarships.

? Tickets: www.oneofakinddrumline.com or Edward Esparza, 360-907-1145.

See Spanish-language video of the group from Univision: www.vansd.org, then click on “Spotlight Your School.”

From the start, they’ve raised a racket — in a good way.

Started seven years ago, the One of Kind Drumline percussion ensemble from Martin Luther King. Jr. Elementary School has entertained hundreds of thousands of parade spectators in Vancouver and Portland and appeared at countless other events.

Setting a clear, infectious beat requires discipline and teamwork.

And that’s something MLK students take far beyond the music. They’ve applied their focus to schoolwork and community service, constantly prodded by Eddie Esparza, their energetic founder and leader.

Members have helped to plant thousands of native plants along Burnt Bridge Creek, painted a house for a local family in need and performed at Camp Agape, a special outdoor program near Troutdale, Ore., for families with children who are battling cancer.

To feed the momentum, the 20-member group will hold two fundraising concerts this week.

The “Appreciation Night” events salute local support received and highlight volunteer efforts. Proceeds benefit the group’s leadership program and the Edward A. Esparza Drumline music scholarship fund to support post-secondary academic goals of participants.

Debra Hale, principal at Martin Luther King, has watched Esparza’s pet project grow with admiration, she said. He’s sent dozens of young students on a high-achieving track as they move on to McLoughlin Middle School and Fort Vancouver High School, she said.

“Absolutely: While he’s doing drums and music, he’s doing character-building,” Hale said. “It’s not a fleeting opportunity; it’s one that’s lasting a lifetime.

“What Eddie works so hard on is leadership with the kids. That self-esteem carries right over into the rest of their day and their success,” she said. “They keep their grades up and get their work done and really set an example for the rest of the students. The entire school community, and now, it’s really the entire (school) district and our community, recognizes the work they put in.”