Even though the marching band only has a few more shows to march this year, the band, drum majors, directors, and everyone else who lends their time to the band program, are all still working hard to make the performances they have count. The BLT, or Band Leadership Team, and the drum majors are figuring out how to work together to lead a team of over one hundred students and also make sure that individuals are doing what they need to do to make the whole band look its best. Even though the BLT works on the field, making sure their sections are marching well, the drum majors often climb down their ladders to assist with marking of lines or making sure arcs are dressed.

“I think we’ve got an amazing group this year, not only with Tobey and Joseph but with the entire BLT. We work well together, we are all open to new ideas of how we can make the band better, and we can have fun while we get work is done, which is amazing,” said Katherine Introna ‘20, one of the three City High drum majors this year. “Shout-out to DJ Tobey rapping to the metronome when we were trying to figure out how to make it work correctly.”

Tobey Epstein ‘21 and Joseph Bennet ‘20 were both selected to be drum majors this year. Last year, Introna was in a similar position to Epstein and remembers what her role as drum major was like.

“I started out with Lindy Rublaitus and Quinn Kopelman,” said Introna. “It was intimidating but rewarding. It’s hard to keep calm the first time you step on the drum major podium with everyone looking in on you, but you get used to it. Even in the most nerve-wracking times, I wouldn’t trade it for anything because I love having a leading role in helping our band be the best it can be.”

This year, Introna is the head drum leader and has more responsibilities. She is directing two songs this year, “Superman” and “Black Panther.” 

“For me, the most challenging thing is overcoming the stage fright. I’ve come a long way from junior year, but I still get in my head: ‘Is the 2/4 measure coming up?’ ‘Am I at the right measure?’ ‘Did I just miss a cue?’” said Introna. “Being head drum major is a little weird this year because pregame is a lot more dependent on me to blow the whistle for ‘Sturdy Little’ and call out marching commands.”

Due to some changes in direction this year, a few changes have been made to how the band functions. However, the role of drum major is more or less the same. 

“On the literal end, our job is more or less to be the student conductors and face of the band,”

Introna explained. “More than anything, we are just there to support the band. Yes, we have our mace salutes, etc., but when it comes to halftime we can’t take the fame because it’s the band members that work hard, memorize their dots, memorize their music, and put on a great show. We are just there as support, the eagle eyes on the ladders trying to help any way we can.”