Allain ‘A Perfect Example Of The Kind Of Student We Want’

Jason Allain has gained some notoriety for a video clip of him playing drums upside down, but his impact on the Smith-Cotton Tiger Pride Marching Band and its members is no trick.

Allain, a junior, is a leader not only for the band’s percussion section, but for the S-C instrumental music program in general. It is a role he embraces.

“One of my favorite things (is) probably the influence I have on others, because I'm not quiet, but I'm also not always talking,” he said. “I'm not always trying to goof around and stuff.”

While he is glad people enjoyed seeing him play upside down, what really matters to Allain is that it created more interest in percussion and connected him with other student musicians. One of the band’s freshmen thanked Allain in a text message for being helpful and supportive; more than the notoriety, that kind of impact drives Allain.

This past summer, Allain seized an opportunity to advance his skills at the Ohio State Marching Band Clinic in Columbus, Ohio.

“I have grandparents that live in Ohio and ever since I was little, every time I'd go to Ohio, we'd always watch footage from the Ohio State marching band,” he said.

His time at the clinic helped Allain improve his technique and dexterity, and gave him the opportunity to interact with other high-caliber high school musicians.

“It was cool,” he said, “They were really into it and … you could tell it was their whole life.”

Smith-Cotton Director of Bands Andrew Fischer said Allain is “a perfect example of the kind of student we want to have in our band.”

“Jason brings leadership and talent to our band,” Fischer said. “He knows how to get people to do what they're supposed to be doing and get them where they need to be on time.”

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Fischer added that band helps build a complete student.

“It's not just your musical skills, but we're also developing your responsibility, your precision, your dependability, your timeliness, your leadership,” he said. “There's so much that goes into it and Jason is someone that really represents what we do on a total level, not just his musicality, which is also outstanding.”

Allain has been drumming since fourth grade, and believes his ability is just in his nature.

“When I drum, I don't think it's me drumming,” he said. “When people ask me, ‘Hey, how do you do that?’ I don't know how to respond to that. It's just what I know. I just know how to do it. I want to give the glory to God. I know people say that to be humble, but genuinely, I don't understand the way I drum. I'm just thankful for what I do, and I try to get better at it.”

In the photo: Smith-Cotton High School junior Jason Allain performs with the Tiger Pride Marching Band at halftime of the S-C football game against Warrensburg on Aug. 29 at Tiger Stadium.