By Vivian Dyer.
After getting all division one ratings at their marching band contest last Monday, the two drum majors are excitedly preparing the band for the upcoming area competition this Saturday October 28.
“Drum major has a lot of different jobs,” senior Sydndey Spell said. “I think the main one that most people see is we conduct the band during the show and for Gold Rush and just any time that we’re playing in public.”
There are many opportunities that allow drum majors to bond with the many different sections amongst the band.
“Being a drum major is really cool because you get to get to know everyone in the band and you get to meet everyone and say hi to everyone and everyone knows you,” Junior drum major Lianna Pfrimmer said. “It’s just a really cool experience to know everyone in the band.”
Though the band began preparing for the season in August, drum major tryouts occurred much earlier in the spring.
“There’s an audition process at the end of April this year,” Spell said. “It’s the same audition process as all of leadership, but there’s an added part for drum major of conducting.”
With the fun that comes with being a drum major, there’s always downsides
“I miss being with the people in my section that play the same instrument as I do,” Pfrimmer said. “I get to be around everyone but I don’t get the special time with my own section.”
After their competition on Monday night, the entire band is extremely thrilled for their upcoming competition in Lubbock, according to Spell.
“It was very exciting,” Spell said. “We haven’t done that well in five years and so it’s very exciting.”
Being this enthusiastic about their success makes Spell happy about joining.
“I wanted to become a drum major because my sophomore year two of my very good friends were some of the drum majors and they encouraged me to do it, and said that I would do a good job at it,” Spell said.
Pfrimmer believes that conducting the band pays off after such a prosperous season.
“Just competing is so fun,” Pfrimmer said. “I like to see my band do well and enjoy being on the field and competing.”