Our Drum Major

Marisa Brown

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In the Powell High School Band, there are twelve main sections. One of the most influential people in our band is Shelby Whitehead, a senior who has been in the band since middle school. Shelby is our school’s drum major, a student director from a leadership standpoint. In Shelby’s words, “It’s like bridging the gap between the directors and the students,” as she is the one that conducts the halftime show, instead of our school’s band director. While in the band, Shelby has met many of her closest friends, and performing with them has been a unique and unforgettable experience, as it probably is for many. The band consists of two seasons, marching season and concert season. As a whole, marching band is very upbeat and fun, but concert band is something that helps musicians grow. Adjusting to the number of different things that could happen is very difficult, Shelby comments, “At a game, for example, you could be playing one thing one minute and then all of a sudden a play happens, and you just have to play ‘Rocky Top’ all of a sudden with no warning.” The marching band isn’t the only place where this occurs. During a concert, Mr. Smith, the band administrator will change certain aspects of the performance abruptly, and the band just has to adjust to his decision. Being in a band takes a lot of work, dedication, and getting used to it, but the work put into it pays off.