Artist of the Week

Big+Blue+Marching+band+Drum+Majors+%28left+to+right%29+Tess+Garvin%2C+senior%3B+Maggie+Fontanini%2C+junior%3B+and+Chris+Carter%2C+senior%2C+in+uniform+at+Bishop+Stadium.+

Photo by Hailey Eilert

Big Blue Marching band Drum Majors (left to right) Tess Garvin, senior; Maggie Fontanini, junior; and Chris Carter, senior, in uniform at Bishop Stadium.

Makenna Wollenberg, Staff Photographer

Chris Carter Senior

What made you want to be a Drum Major?

“They asked that in the interview. My answer was that to me growing up I knew of drum majors and kind of what they did but it wasn’t until I got to high school where I actually learned that drum majors are more than people. They are a person who is there for the rest of the band as someone they can count on, as someone they can have as their friend. They do so much more than just conduct. They put so much energy into a band and I realized that I wanted to be that person because I love this band and I wanted to help it out as much as I could.”

Aside from the band directors who would be someone who inspired you to do music?

“My brother. He is five years ahead of me in school and so he got the alto saxophone before I did. I also remember him getting good at it and I wanted to be like him and be good at something. I picked up it up in fifth grade. I sort of fell in love with it just seeing it and playing it. I played it as often as I could along with where ever I could. It is a fun thing to do and gives you something to work at.”

What other things related to music are you apart of?

“I play the alto first chair in jazz band this year. I play at my church often whenever they want me. So I do that musically. There is a jazz band in town called the Thundering Cats and I play with them when they are missing their normal alto saxophone two player Mr.[Nate] McClendon gives me a call and has me play with that group of professionals and that’s really cool.”

What is your main goal this year as a drum major?

“Something that Dr. [Alex] Wimmer said at the leadership camp over the summer is to leave a legacy where you are at and I want the band environment to be welcoming but also fruitful and have the band program to continue to succeed even after I left. I know it will. There are things a leader should do with the culture of the band and have people accomplish goals. So I would like to set a president for hard work and dedication.”

 

Tess Garvin Senior

What made you want to be a drum major?

I have always looked up to the drum majors before and I had always seen something really cool. I am thinking about being a music ed major and so having some directing experience is cool.

What inspired you to start music?

My mom was a music ed major and so I really always looked up to her and thought that music was something really cool. Elementary school music was really fun. So she basically got me started.

Aside from your mom who inspires you in music?

Probably the directors for both choir and band.

What is your favorite part about being a drum major?

It is really cool to see the progress that has been made and watch it all come together.

 

Maggie Fontanini Junior

What made you want to be a drum major?

I wanted to be a drum major because I’m a huge band nerd. I’m super inclined to lead people so I figured it would be a great way to do that.

What made you want to start music?

I started music because I always listened to jazz music and band music when I was little. So I joined in the fifth grade.

What is your main goal for this year as a drum major?

My main goal was to get a division one rating at festival and we did. That was my goal and I met it.

Do you participate in any other music related things?

I am in the jazz band with Mr. [Nate] McClendon. I am second chair alto saxophone.