Lamphere’s marching band has had a great start to their season this year. With their “Press Start” theme, they expresses the music going through different video games were they fail and lose the game, but then during the end of the performance, they remember if you lose the game. You can always try again and beat the game. Here are interviews from our drum majors.

Our junior drum major, Rodney Cushingberry had a lot of good perspectives on this band season and their preparation on their halftime performance. First and foremost, Rodney has a huge impact within this program as one of the leaders for the LHS band. Rodney expressed that his fellow partner Jordan has been a huge inspiration on him watching him lead in a respectful way, helping shape him into the drum major he is now. Being a leader in his sport has also impacted him outside of Lamphere. By having to work and lead a wide age group of kids from 8th grade to 12th. Learning how to take other teammates’ emotions into consideration and pushing other members to the best of their abilities. Which allows him to bring those communication skills and emotional intelligence into the real world.

Senior drum major, Jordan Aaron has made many positive statements about the younger generation of the ensemble and how they are carrying this season. Which inspires the whole band to work harder if their youngest members are putting in so much dedication and hard work. Jordan also spoke upon his opinion about his leader role and feelings about it. Jordan expressed that he always wanted to be a drum major since his freshman year. He had an amazing drum major his freshman year that truly inspired him to be a leader and fill that role. When Jordan was chosen for the role he expressed that he had this “surreal feeling”. Jordan has been an awesome drum major for the band and is very respected by his teammates.

The band has put a lot of hard work and effort behind the scenes this year, that the students don’t get to see and respect. They have certain ways to prepare before going on the field to perform like stretching, and breathing exercises to soothe nerves, Rodney mentioned that he eats a fruit mentos before every performance as good luck, and there other ways they prepare as well to keep the vibes up. The band puts a lot of effort and time into these performances. Before the school year they have three different camps to practice and get ready for these performances. They have their pre camp, then camp, then after camp. A lot of people don’t give the band enough credit for the time and physical and mental effort they put into the halftime performance. Rodney Cushingberry said, “We put in as much work as any other sport.” Which is more than true, they practice just as much and hard, just as dedicated, and have just as much passion. So the next time you’re at a home football game, sit down and listen to the art they produce and intake the beautiful music that they worked so hard for.