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 “Clang, clang, clang ” smashed the cymbals.
Derrick Matthews smiled as he deliberately banged the cymbals together as he proudly marched down Rosiland Avenue in downtown Orlando at the Citrus Bowl Parade on Dec. 29, 2007. Thousands of excited parade-goers watched as Derrick and his band mates, dressed in their green, white and black Southeast Raleigh High School band uniforms entertained them.
“I was nervous at first marching down the street," said Derrick. "But that wore off and then I was smiling and waving at people. It was a fun trip."
That’s my son,” said Starla Nichols, Derrick’s mom. “I was very proud of him.”
Music has always been a love for the 17 year-old Special Olympics Wake County athlete and when Derrick entered high school he was able to pursue his dream of playing an instrument. Derrick plays the cymbals in the marching band but has also learned to play the xylophone, taiko drums, vibes and will soon try the bass drum.
“Being a member of the band and of Special Olympics has given Derrick so much confidence,” said Nichols. “He is really maturing and has become very outgoing. Both Special Olympics and the band have given him some amazing experiences.”
The marching band has trips planned for the next two years. Derrick will be performing on a Carnival cruise ship next year and during his senior year the band is scheduled to play in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland.
Derrick practices for the band 3-4 nights a week after school, preparing for band competitions and band concerts. But when he’s not practicing for school, he’s practicing with Triangle Taiko. Derrick plays the Japanese drums. In January, 2008, Derrick and four other Special Olympics Wake County athletes opened up for the touring Fugaku Taiko group, a renowned traveling Japanese drumming group, at the Fletcher Opera House in Raleigh.
Derrick is always on the go. If he’s not doing something musical then you can find Derrick doing something athletic. He has been participating in Special Olympics for nine years and competes in basketball, ice skating, roller skating and softball. His mom is his ice skating coach and the two are in their final preparation days before the 2008 SONC Winter Games- Ice Skating competition in Charlotte, Feb. 8-9. Every Monday night, for the last couple of months, Derrick has been improving his speed on the ice and hopes to bring home gold from the state-level event. This will be his first-time competing in a seven-lap event.
Good Luck Derrick and Congratulations on your musical achievements!
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