Local students marching to the beat of their own drums

An impeccable cadence you might not expect coming from some pint-size drum liners, but to these nine and ten-year-olds it's just another band practice.

"It's just crazy every time I taught them something new I was kind of shocked, but I didn't let them know that. Like when I taught them how to do 'M-E-S' and then they did it after a week of doing the same thing over and over again I kind of looked back be like, they ain't supposed to be doing that, but I didn't tell them that we just kept moving."

Maple Elementary music teacher Ray Washington is sharing his passion for drum line and marching with his students.

It's something he didn't think was possible.

"When you show them a clarinet or trombone that's not that interesting when you compare to an iPhone, that you can do some much with, so you got to get real creative but it's definitely possible you just got to show them it's something they want to do," Washington says.

That's how he got over 50 kids to start marching to the beat of their drums.

Nine-year-old Savannah Weber says, "My favorite part is about being able to be with my friends. It's just very fun and I just love it."

But Washington is giving more than just music lessons, he's giving his students someone they can count on.

"My favorite part about it is being able to play an instrument some people don't play and also to be able to with a teacher that I really love," says Monque Grizzelle, a 10-year-old who plays the trombone.

And to be that person for these kids means more to Washington having gone to Maple Elementary himself.

"It feels good because this is where I'm from so you know for me to give back to like kids of friends who I went to school with it means more than if I was at an elementary school somewhere else."

And through his students he can relive the joy of playing-

"That build up to when you're able to perform that's the best part. I still get those feelings even though I'm not performing I still get those same feelings I used to have before I went on stage," explains Washington.

And the kids are just glad he brought music into their lives.

Savannah says, "He's an awesome teacher and he's done so much for us he's made our lives very interesting and he's basically gave up his life because he's here every day until 5 p.m."