Q: What inspired you to be drum major?
A: "If you were to ask me last year if I thought I was going to be drum major, I’d say absolutely not. But after observing the direction in which the band was going, especially with what challenges this year threw at us, I knew I wanted to be able to have a position in which I would be able to show the underclassmen what being in Northern’s band was all about. I know I don’t have the best musical abilities, but I also knew how important this season would be for the future of the band, and being the drum major gives me the chance to show everyone why we do what we do."
Q:How have the changes this year affected your experience in marching band?
A: "This year has been something no one could have imagined, but with that being said, I think with all the changes and adaptations we had to make, we did very well with them. This year made me realize how important the little things are, like bus rides, cold nights in the stands, and hanging out with friends in the band room before a game or competition. These are all experiences that I had expected to have this year but didn’t, but it gave me a better appreciation for those memories of the past."
Q:Is there anything in particular you were looking forward to as drum major that you can’t do due to restrictions/changes?
A: "I was looking forward to marching across the field with our trophy at a competition with my senior friends on either side of me as we marched ourselves back to our band. That is something that I have always been proud of when I was in the stands and looked forward to my senior year. With no competitions to go to, there was no opportunity for that. Also, I was excited to conduct in the town square during the farmer’s fair."
Q:Do you miss playing in the marching band?
A: "Yes."
Q:What’s your favorite thing about being drum major? Favorite thing about marching band?
A: "My favorite part about being drum major is having the opportunity to get to know everyone, rather than in the past where I tended to stick to my section. I have to chance to move around more and get to really know the other sections and members of the band. My favorite thing about marching band is the collective unity that we have compared to any other sport or activity."
Q:Favorite memory from this year? Other years?
A: "My favorite memory from this is year is when I made a sarcastic comment to Mr. Sheffer and Mr. McCartney picked up on my joke. For me and my friends, sarcasm is something that is frequent in our conversations, but it was the first time a director had heard it and Mr. McCartney made a big deal out of it. One of my favorite memories from the past occurred my eighth grade year. Our band was in the stands waiting for awards to be announced when a member of another band tried to get the line of bands to do the wave. Northern, being who we are, stood still and refused to participate unlike all the others. When the kid realized we were not going to do it, he yelled, “YOU IDIOTS!” and from then on, that was a great moment that we all laughed about and cheered for the rest of the season."
Q:What was your experience as an underclassman in marching band like?
A: "As an underclassman, I always looked up to the upperclassmen and tried to either follow or learn from them. Others also always assumed I was older than what I was, and for that, I think I was treated a little more differently and was able to make friends easier."
Q:Do you plan on continuing to do marching band (or any music/band) in college?
A: "Unfortunately, no."
Q:What advice do you have for underclassmen in the band?
A: "Remember why you are there. Yes, sometimes practice can get boring or repetitive, but if you stay engaged and always try your hardest, the hard work will pay off, and you will be filled with great joy and pride with the end result."
Q: What advice would you have for someone who wants to be drum major?
A: "Be confident, this year especially, I didn’t always know what I was doing, but if you confidently make mistakes and work to fix them, no one will mind, and they will appreciate you and have more respect for you."
Q: Mr. Sheffer asks the members of the band every year to think of why they choose to do marching band. What is your reason?
A: "I had briefly mentioned it before, but the unity that marching band has is something that no other sport or activity has. Unlike other sports, there are no individuals, the band moves and plays as one. Yes, maybe there are a few solos where individuals can shine, but there is something more than individual work. In marching band, as Mr. McCartney always says, we are a family and I would totally agree. Even with this year being what it is, I feel that everyone is always there to pick each other up and face the challenges together."
Q: What other activities do you do in/out of school?
A: "Track and field, History Club, Direct Call, Civil War Reenacting, and giving tours at the Dill’s Tavern"
Q:What college do you plan to go to and what do you plan to study?
A: "I plan to go to Shippensburg to major in History, as well as earn a teaching certificate. I plan to enlist in the Army National Guard and join the University’s ROTC program. I also plan to throw shot put and discus on Ship’s track and field team."
Q: What’s your ideal career?
A: "A middle or high school history teacher."
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say?
A: "One thing that I wanted to add was an appreciation for our directors and parents. In the past, the directors put in so much time and work to make the season run smoothly, and the parents create the props, clean the uniforms, and keep us organized, but this year especially I want to thank Mr. Sheffer and Mr. McCartney for all the time and work they have put in. I know that us students can be annoying and seem unappreciative, but that is far from the truth. Although we may complain every minute of every day, we couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for everything they have done for us."
Makayla Decker, 2020 Drum Major and Her Parents
Photo By Curt Werner.
Comentarios