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Imagine you are stepping onto the field at Spartan Stadium. The forty-yard line is the only thing separating your black sneakers and the clean-cut grass from meeting. It’s halftime. You carefully set down your instrument on the field and quickly get into position for the dubstep dancing sequence you are performing in front of thousands of fans. This is only a short glimpse from the eyes of MSU student Dena Letot. As a junior zoology major, Dena still finds time to balance good grades and her love of being a cymbalist for the Spartan Marching Band. Her Campus MSU sat down with Dena to find out what it’s like to be a member of the SMB Drumline and wear the infamous green and white jacket with pride.
HC: How has being a part of the SMB changed your overall experience at MSU?
Letot: I feel like being in the band I am an even bigger Spartan fan then I was before. Which is saying something. I feel as if I am contributing something special to the university such as truly making a name for myself here. People actually come up to me and ask me if I’m in the band when I wear my band jacket and I am proud to say I am.
HC: With football and basketball seasons being busy times for the SMB, how do you balance band practice and school?
Letot: It is hard to balance band and school. It wasn’t easy by any means, especially since I thought it was a good idea to carry such a heavy course load. I had some late nights and I had to study in between class to keep on top of things. Before school started, I had to schedule my classes so I could work them around band practice since the drumline has early practices on certain days.
HC: What was the best moment you’ve had so far as an SMB member?
Letot: The best moment I’ve had was during freshmen dress when the new members kick-stepped over the bridge on Farm Lane. As soon as you crossed you were inducted into the band. I became a member that Sunday night. That was just the beginning though of a season with amazing moments such as the Bowl Trip, the drumline performing at the Palace and traveling to U of M for the football game.
HC: What was it like to step onto the field for the first time as an SMB member?
Letot: My first time on the stadium field was at night during the Notre Dame game. To be honest, I can’t really remember the moment since my adrenaline was pumping so fast through me. In the tunnel right before the band came out, I felt so strong that I was pretty sure I could rip a phone book in half.
HC: How would someone get involved in the SMB?
Letot: To try out is hard. You need to have dedication, conviction and the will power to push through the rough times, which surprisingly happens a lot. Make sure when you do try out that you practice. Don’t run through the music once or twice but have it memorized inside and out. There are help sessions to attend for the drumline to get ready for auditions.
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Photo credit: Alyssa Honeycutt