What is Remo Incorporation?

Ayala High School's drum line is sponsored by many companies who provide us with drums, front ensemble instruments, sticks, and cymbals. However, there is one organization that truly stands out and it is Remo Inc. They provide Ayala with all the drum heads for the snare, tenor, and bass drum. As a cymbal player I do not know much about drumheads. So, I was curious and decided  to learn about the company that produces an equipment that is an essential part to Ayala's percussion ensemble.

Remo Incorporation was founded by Remo D Belli. In 1957 he invented the very first successful synthetic Mylar® drum heads. For over 55 years, Remo, Inc. has constantly and consistently set new grounds and achievements in their industry firsts. When it comes to Remo's expertise as a drumhead manufacturer, no one can reach the technical and musical advantages that Remo Drumheads provide.

The Remo story starts during WWII when experiments were being conducted with Mylar®, a polyester film made by DuPont®. During the war, Mylar® was used as a heat resistant film for night time observation flights. Mylar® was an unique, durable, inexpensive, weather resistant material that somehow provided a unattainable pitch, tone and consistency that interested D Belli. When he developed an interest in the material he was already a successful professional drummer. D Belli began his legacy with the Weatherking® drumheads, the first successful commercial drumhead design.

During the 60's, 70's, and the 80's Remo continued to progress and grow and became the world’s drumhead specialist in basically every category from percussionists and orchestral timpanists to drum corps, jazz, blues and rock. Remo achieved the level of innovation never before imagined in drumheads. Remo was able to set the standard higher thanks to new laminations and coatings found in other Remo's first creations such as Controlled Sound™, Pinstripe®, Smooth White™, Powerstroke®, Fiberskyn®, Suede®, Renaissance®, Nuskyn®, Skyneep® and Comfort Sound Technology™. The foundation for Remo came from understanding how drumheads should be designed and how they should sound for other applications such Drumset, Marching, Concert, Recreational, Health & Wellness and World Percussion. In 1983, Remo used Acousticon® Shells, a 100% recycled wood fiber to launch the World Percussion product line. The success that the Acousticon® Shells brought was more than a transformation in lightweight, strong, and great sounding drums. It marked a groundbreaking movement in the opportunity of a broad range of ethnic drums for the recreational and professional applications. This would help create the community of drummers today.

Remo has always been about ensuring that everyone has a chance to experience the feeling of a drum circle or street performance. All around the world, people are embracing the thrills of the different rhythms from street corners, parks, beaches, community centers, wellness centers, concerts and schools. At Remo, they see drums as tools that connect  on a deep rhythmic level. Drumming is an interactive community tool that promotes the well being and life enhancement. Remo's goal is to use their ongoing efforts to bring the joy of drumming to the professional, the enthusiast, the children, the elderly, the at risk, and those with disabilities. Remo has also been recognized for environmentally responsible manufacturing every year since 1998 by winning the WRAP Award. (California Waste Reduction Award Program). They want to sustain  jobs by continuing to manufacture in the USA and push the limits of drumhead and drum technology while reducing its impact on the environment.

The source I used to research my topic was Remo's official website. It provided information about their products, staff members, accomplishments, history, and an experience page. The experience page provides a bunch of informational links that Remo put together. Therefore that establishes their credibility because they are providing resources to answer the questions that people ask. As a cymbal player, I don't use drumheads at all. However, after learning about the how the company came to be, every time I see all the drumheads in our drumline room, I remember the legacy that Remo D Belli left behind. I was extremely interested by their webpage, but sad at the same time when I learned that Mr. Remo D Belli passed away. Remo will continue to grow and accomplish the impossible and sponsor many great percussion ensembles like Ayala High School and Pulse Percussion.

In respect for Remo, I dedicate this blog post to their founder, Remo D Belli, who passed away this year. He was 89 years old.

Remo Inc. "Remo Inc., Is the World's Largest Drumhead Company." Remo.com. Remo Inc., n.d. Web. 6 May 2016.