What year are you?
I am a sophomore.
Where are you from?
I am originally from Lincoln, NE (went to Lincoln Southeast High School – go Knights!).
Major?
I am a music education major, with an emphasis in voice.
What does the role of Drum Major entail?
It has absolutely NOTHING to do with playing drums, ironically enough. It is a title for a position of leadership and authority within a marching band. Basically we are student leaders – our job involves many things, including leadership, teaching, conducting, performing, etc. We are student leaders for the band, perform/conduct during our pre-game show, and conduct the halftime shows. We also are in charge of what the band does in the stands – we pick the music played in the stands and time when to play it.
When did you decide to try out? Why?
I decided to try out for this position last year. I was a drum major of my high school marching band during my senior year and loved every minute of it. I knew I wanted to be a drum major here someday, but wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon (it is rare for sophomores to get the position – usually seniors, 5th, or even 6th years). I thought I would try out, to get a feel for what the audition process was like, so I would be better prepared in future years.
What is involved during the try-out process?
The process involves an application, interview, and audition.
What made you decide to become a Husker?
Since I grew up in Lincoln, I have always been around husker nation, and my family brought my siblings and I to watch the band since we were little. Both of my parents and my older brothers went to this school and were in this band (fun fact: my father, and one of my brothers were also a drum major of this band – it has never happened before that 3 people from the same family have done this, so that’s pretty awesome), so I guess you could say that I have always felt like I belong here.
What does your actual major, Music Education, involve?
For Music Education, we take classes in music theory, ear training, music history, skills classes (to learn how to play every instrument), methods classes (to learn how to teach music in a variety of settings), along with various music ensembles. We also do multiple practicums throughout our time here, and the last semester is reserved for student teaching.
What instruments have you played and/or currently playing?
I play clarinet, saxophone, learning piano, learning percussion, but mostly, I sing. Last year in the CMB (Cornhusker Marching Band) I played clarinet, but since I am a drum major this year, I don’t play an instrument – I am up on a ladder in front of the band, conducting.
What is it like being a part of the Husker marching band?
Being a part of the marching band is time consuming, I will admit, and it takes dedication and commitment, but it is absolutely beyond worth it. We get to be a part of creating the environment that is Husker Nation, simply by doing what we love, which is a opportunity that you can’t find anywhere else. The amount of life long relationships, including marriages (my parents included), that start in this band is unfathomable. From my experience as a drum major, the best thing has got to be the lessons I have learned.
What else are you involved in on campus?
It is hard to be involved in a lot being a drum major of the CMB, and a Music Ed major (which, I believe, is one of the busiest majors that UNL has to offer, along with Architecture and stuff like that…), but lately I have been trying to get more involved with Navigators, one of the college worship groups on campus.
How do you and the band members handle the 100-degree football games?
The hot games are definitely tough – you really have to prepare your body throughout the week, and make sure that you stay dehydrated. I think before one of the earlier games this season, I drank 3 bottles of water, and 2 gatorades, before the game even started, and then drank 3 or 4 more bottles of water throughout the game. It wouldn’t be so bad, except our uniforms are wool, and are very heavy. We just have to be careful and take care of ourselves.
What do you plan on doing after graduation?
After graduation, I want to teach music. I am not sure what age group I want to teach, or whether I would teach band or choir – all I know is that I want to teach.
Which activity/instrument would you like to perform/play for the rest of your life?
As far as the activity to perform for the rest of my life, (I am ignoring singing as an option, because it is already what I do) I would have to say dance. I have been dancing since I was 5 years old. I have always loved it – it is my release from stress, my chance to get away from the world.
Describe yourself in three words.
Christian, determined, caring.