Q: How did it feel when you were chosen to be drum major?
Sophie Segelke: “When I was chosen to be drum major, I was immediately excited about what I was going to do. I’ve always looked up to the drum majors in the past and I was super excited to step into that role.”
Emmersyn Bonebrake: “When I found out I was going to be a drum major, obviously, I was very excited, but I also felt very nostalgic. I feel like we as a band always get so excited about what’s to come that we forget how far we’ve come. I remember thinking to myself as I read the email, “How did I go from not knowing how to even hold a flute to being trusted to lead the 150-person band for a 10-minute show?”
Evie Stanfield: “I was really excited for the opportunity to do something different for the band, and get to do it with my friends. I was against it at first because I didn’t think I could handle the pressure, but I love conducting and the responsibility that comes with it.”
Sophia Rogers: “I felt so happy when I got chosen to be a drum major. I’ve been wanting to be one since my freshman year because it just seems like such a fun experience, and I was right. I love almost everyone in marching band, and the fact that I get to lead them is just so much fun. Band is basically a second home for me.”
Q: What are you most excited for this season?
Sophie: “This season, I’m excited to be in a different role. I feel really connected with the whole band as well as the directors and I’m excited to keep growing those bonds and continue to cheer everyone on from a different perspective.”
Emmersyn: “I’m excited for all of the memories we are going to get to make together, and knowing that we are all experiencing this together for the first time. It’s so cool to share that excitement with the people who understand me better than anyone else.”
Evie: “I was really excited for the opportunity to do something different for the band, and get to do it with my friends. I was against it at first because I didn’t think I could handle the pressure, but I love conducting and the responsibility that comes with it.”
Sophia: “The thing I am most excited for this year is the football games. The band gets really hyped during the games and I get to conduct two pantherette tunes, which means it’s just me conducting for the whole band which is such a cool experience. Plus, us drum majors do a bunch of fun things during our Fight Song and Time Out Samba”
Q: What has been your favorite memory in marching band?
Sophie: “My favorite memory from marching band is always football, I love doing pregame and being on the field with 150 of my best friends.”
Emmersyn: “My favorite memory from marching band was our preshow routine from ‘A Little Off the Top’ last year. We began this show in little duos, and the idea was that one person was cutting the other’s hair (plume).”
Evie: “My favorite band memory is the cadences we do during and after football games. Freshman year I didn’t know what people were doing or why they were randomly waving their arms around or dancing, but I learned pretty quickly and it’s a really bonding experience.”
Sophia: “My favorite memory of marching band has to be every football game. Like I said, the band just gets really hyped about the games and it’s just such a fun experience. After the games are also super fun. The percussion plays a bunch of cadences and we all just cheer and have fun. It’s just so much fun that I really don’t know how else to explain it.”