Hawkline

Welcome to the Hawkline! Laurier's first official marching band.

The Laurier Hawkline is the first phase of Marching Arts at Laurier. This exciting new initiative welcomes all Laurier Waterloo campus students, regardless of their major or musical background. Since September 2024, you've seen the Hawkline proudly making its mark, both visually and audibly, as it energizes the crowds at sporting events, adds zest to Homecoming celebrations, and infuses fun into every corner of campus.

Did you play a brass instrument in high school, but not have had the opportunity to play it since? Were you in a drumline? Have you always wanted to learn an instrument in a fun environment? To learn more about how you can get involved, fill out our survey to Add To Laurier's Marching Arts Legacy!

Full band rehearsals are Sundays from 2:30-4:30 with occasional sectionals on Wednesday nights. If you are interested in joining our ranks, fill out the survey below.

Fill Out the 2026/27 Recruitment Survey

Meet the Drumline

The Laurier Hawkline is a beginner drumline with a professional attitude. Only in its third year, the Laurier Hawkline has become a staple across campus for promoting Laurier spirit with challenging and up-beat grooves.

The Hawkline is open to all Waterloo campus students. All though drumming experience is welcome, you do not need experience to join our drumline. We have positions available for those who have been drumming for years, and positions for those who have never picked up sticks. Come have fun making music with us at Laurier!

Meet the Hornline

Did you play a brass instrument in high school but have since lost the opportunities to play? Then the Hornline is for you! This group, in its first year, is accompanying the drumline at sporting events, playing fun and familiar tunes. Together they make the Hawkline.

The Hornline is open to all Waterloo campus students. We are looking for all marching brass players such as trumpet, mellophone, trombone and Sousaphone. To join you must have the equivalent of a high school band level experience and own your own instrument. Continue your passion for music in post-secondary by joining the Hawkline!

Meet Hilary Whiskin

Hilary Whiskin has been involved in Marching Band for over 15 years. Her journey started at the age of 12 in the Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB). As a member of the BTTB, Hilary quickly rose through the ranks from cymbals, to base drum, to snare drum and eventually section leader.

At Laurier Hilary studied Music (Composition) and Communications. Becoming a Golden Hawk was one of the most important decisions of Hilary’s life because it was the starting point of her career in music. As a Laurier student Hilary felt that the school was missing one thing; a drumline! She took it upon herself to start the WLU Junk Line. The Junk Line was a group of students who played on garbage cans at a variety of sporting events and campus events.

After graduation, Hilary took the concept of the Junk Line and created a percussion education business called CRASH Rhythm. CRASH has since performed and instructed all ages at events such as the Sound Of Music Festival in Burlington, the TD Jazz Festival in Toronto, the 2015 PanAm games street party and many more parades, festivals, corporate events, schools and summer camps. Now Hilary is the drumline instructor with the Burlington Teen Tour Band, the Burlington Junior Redcoats, has a private studio of over 40 students and performs across the GTA with CRASH Rhythm.