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All throughout summer, while some students went on vacations or slept in, the Rose marching band rose early in the morning to attend marching band camp and perfect their craft. For seniors Makayla Columbus and Abigail Hernandez, being the co-drum majors is the passion that had them leading the band each morning.
This year, the marching band includes over 60 students, the largest group in Columbus’ and Hernandez’s time at Rose. Band director Matthew Howard assists the co-drum majors in supervising the band, but the majority of the leadership falls into their hands.
“We are the peacekeepers; we help keep the balance, and we help section leaders be able to lead
Photo by William Litchfield
their sections,” Columbus said. “We also set an example… we reinforce the hand that our staff puts down while also making sure that the band is on time, not just physically but musically.”
Some key responsibilities of the drum majors include conducting, keeping the tempo and ensuring the band stays focused and on task. When the marching band performs on Friday night games or during band competitions, a lot of pressure falls on the drum majors to ensure their success. After weeks of rehearsals, providing a good performance reflects well on the drum majors’ leadership.
“Sometimes I do feel really responsible for [mistakes], whether it’s small stuff or really big stuff,” Hernandez said. “I definitely try to improve what I do and then help out with everyone else in the band so they can do better as well.”
Columbus and Hernandez put in years of hard work and dedication that led to their selection as drum majors. The audition process included two days in which the applicants participated in team-building activities, leadership exercises and learned more about what goes into leading a large ensemble.
One unique challenge for Hernndez and Columbus to navigate is being the first-ever women of color drum majors in Marching Rampants history. Along with the normal responsibilities of the drum majors, they also work to earn respect in a typically male-dominated position. Hernandez and Columbus hope to be role models for newer students in marching band and encourage diverse students to step out of their comfort zones and try new leadership positions.
“In this day and age, being a woman drum major, especially the first time in quite a while, it’s difficult on its own, [and] sometimes I have hard times with respect, but in all, it makes it really worth it when I get to prove people wrong,” Columbus said.
Columbus has always had a passion for music, starting with her family's musical involvement. She grew up dancing, doing performing arts and learning various musical instruments.
“I’m musically competent on both sides of my family; they all are musicians, and I’m surrounded by it, so it wasn’t really anything new for me to kind of come up into music where it was such a big part of my life,” Columbus said.
Unlike Columbus, Hernandez’s passion for music arrived during her time at E. B. Aycock Middle School. This was where she first picked up a trumpet, sparking her passion to continue band and grow musically. She attributes much of this motivation to her middle school band director, Jenifer Hutson.
“My middle school band director was really supportive; she helped me become the player I am, and I feel like she really inspired me,” said Hernandez.
Rose’s band program has allowed Columbus and Hernandez to take the next steps toward their future career aspirations. During East Carolina University’s (ECU) Band Day football game, the Rose marching band had the opportunity to perform with the Marching Pirates during halftime. After performing in front of the entirety of Dowdy-Ficklen stadium, Columbus discovered that her dreams might be closer to home than imagined.
“I would enjoy being a part of the ECU Marching Pirates; I think that it was really fun… [playing] with the ECU Marching Pirates for their halftime show [and] just a really fun experience overall.”
While Hernandez does not plan to major in music, she hopes to continue participating in college and community bands, going out for whatever keeps her playing instruments and musically involved.
Columbus and Hernandez feel the Rose band programs have prepared them for their future, and they cannot wait to take the next step in their lives. For now, though, they will continue to savor their last year with their fellow marching band members.
“I feel like this is one of the places in high school where I really feel comfortable; like this is my group, my place,” Hernandez said. “A lot of my friends are in band, and we just have a really tight relationship with everybody; we know everybody, and I think it’s really nice to have that.”