Greenwood Community High School’s Marching Woodmen have named their fall drum majors.
Drum majors have to audition and apply for the position. Those chosen will spend the season leading defending state champions.
Reid Werner, a current junior, shares what the process is like. He will be a senior during the marching band season and plays trumpet.
● What is the job of a drum major?
The job of a drum major is to be a leader of the band. Whether that is through conducting or through teaching a kid something new, the job is to be a leader.
● What is the application process like?
The application process is like a test of all skills that are necessary to be a drum major. The candidates must be able to perform the basics of conducting, they must be able to teach the basics of marching to students who have never marched before, and they must be able to perform a marching routine to show that they have exceeded the necessary skills of marching.
● Why did you want to become a drum major?
I wanted to become a drum major because I have a passion for conducting and helping other students. I also felt like I was ready to take a step forward in my leadership role for the tradition of excellence in the Greenwood Marching Woodmen.
● What are you most looking forward to this season?
I am most looking forward to how successful we will be in the upcoming season. The ultimate goal, however, is to always become better as a group from day to day so that our final performance of the year is our best performance of the year.
● What do you hope to learn becoming a drum major?
I hope to learn how to improve my own leadership skills in becoming a drum major.
● What other school bands are you in?
Apart from marching band, I am a member of the wind ensemble and the pep band for basketball games.
● What is your favorite band to participate in?
My favorite band to participate in would be marching band. Sure, sometimes it can be difficult to get through long days of rehearsal, but I love spending time with the people that I love, along with being a part of a long lasting tradition that is the Greenwood Marching Woodmen.
● What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
My personal goal for the upcoming season is to be the best leader that I can possibly be and, through that leadership, push others to become, as a whole, the best band that we can possibly be.
