Izzy Gerharter

The PLHS marching band is nearing the end of its 2023 season and it would never be the same without its three drum majors. They are an essential aspect to the band’s success, and obtaining this role is a great privilege.
In order to be a successful drum major, one must have experience with music. Everyone has to start somewhere and some people start much earlier than others.
“I played piano from kindergarten to sixth grade,” senior drum major Cassidy Welsh said. “And then I did percussion from sixth through twelfth, so for a long time.”
Becoming a drum major isn’t an easy task. It takes tons of preparation and dedication to audition for the position and not just anyone can make it.
“My whole sophomore year I started making sure I was on time more to class and really just being an example and someone to follow before I was even part of leadership,” junior drum major Addison Doyle said.
The role may be hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s not something you will enjoy. Getting something accomplished can be the most gratifying feeling.
“My favorite part of being a drum major is definitely the leadership aspect,” senior drum major Hudson Carrico said. “Being able to take a group of people and help them succeed at a specific task is super rewarding and super satisfying.”
Having this responsibility on your shoulders isn’t always as exciting as it seems, and there are always its downsides. Even the most hardworking people have bad days.
“Sometimes I feel like our band puts in a lot of hard work in one rehearsal and the next day it’s absolutely gone,” Welsh said. “I know I can conduct to my best ability and sometimes it’s just not enough.”
Being a drum major isn’t something someone can perfect in one day. It can take multiple years to meet even your own standards and there’s always room for improvement.
“I hope to improve my leadership skills and how I address the band and the way I get them to want to listen to me and not have to listen to me,” Doyle said.
Though there are setbacks, the drum majors always seem to find a way to put this behind them and keep a smile on their face for the rest of the band.
“There are times where it can get super exhausting,” Carrico said. “But at the end of the day… you can’t let the bad things bring you down because if you just live on those things you can’t ever move on.”