THE LAST TUNE: SENIOR SECTION LEADERS

CLEAR CREEK AMANA'S SENIOR SECTION LEADERS; PHOTO BY KAILEE CARVER

Every year, junior members of the CCAHS band progress and become senior members. These new seniors now have more experience with band than anyone else. This experience makes them great leaders. In marching band, each section will have 2-3 section leaders to make all of the members feel welcomed, help them learn, and give any advice or help that members might need. Most of these section leaders are seniors, but being a senior doesn’t automatically make you a leader. Before the marching band season starts, anyone who wants to be a section leader fills out an application and answers 3 questions with detailed and thoughtful responses. They explain why they want to be a section leader, what their past experiences in leadership were like, and how they will balance their other commitments with the busy marching band schedule. All of the applications are then reviewed by Chris Copeland and Sam bills, and the section leaders are chosen. This process makes sure that the people with the most responsibilities are the best possible leaders. It also ensures that the leaders truly enjoy marching band and want the best for their section members. The process definitely works, because all of the leaders this year are great and lead their members well. The seniors, especially, were loved by their sections. Those seniors are great members because they have the most knowledge and experience, they continue traditions, and know everything about how to have the most fun during marching band. Some of these senior section leaders have shared their experiences that have made them great leaders.

Riley Coleman has been the section leader of the drum section for 2 years now. Before she was chosen to be a leader, she didn’t think she was leadership material. She didn’t see herself as a good fit until her instructor, Noah, chose her to be a leader. Noah saw the potential in her that she couldn’t see. He made a great choice by choosing Coleman as leader, because she did a great job. The drum section is very important to the band, which means their rehearsals were intense. Coleman helped each member through these rehearsals. During downtime, she included each member in group conversations. The drum section was seen several times playing games together before and after comps. You could really tell they were a great and inclusive section. Everyone there got along well because Coleman made sure to make everyone feel included. She also arranged some section-bonding activities so that her members could get closer and not only hang out during rehearsals and performances. She really helped her freshman member get along with everyone this year. Her leadership helped form new friendships and positive memories of this year’s marching band season.

Kayla Lashke was the unofficial third section leader of the mellophones this year. Although she was not officially a section leader, she led the way for many people in the band. On the first day of band camp, all of the freshmen and section leaders introduced themselves. Freshman camp was a day for everyone to learn the fundamentals of marching and get used to how hot the football field can get during the day. During this day, section leaders were in charge of teaching the freshmen and making sure they felt welcomed. Even though Lashke had no responsibility for any of this, she chose to attend freshman camp. From that single day, the three new mellophones knew that Kayla was a great leader. She worked with the other leaders to make sure each freshman was comfortable with marching and provided helpful advice without making new marchers feel like they were doing everything wrong. Throughout the whole week of band camp, she was very inclusive and considerate. She ensured that each mellophone was familiar and comfortable with the others. She often stopped to make sure her freshmen were doing okay because she understood that band camp could be very hot, exhausting, and overwhelming at times. When it was time to work on the show music, she was very helpful with any questions and would compliment the members when they were doing well. Looking back on the season, the freshman mellophone members remember Lashke making everyone feel a lot less nervous about their first year and making learning a lot more fun for everyone. 

This year was Olivia Fuller’s first year as the color guard section leader. Even though it was only her first year, Fuller was a great leader for all of her members. Color guard is one of the most difficult sections to be in. Members of the guard start training and learning choreography way before band members do. Their rehearsals are very intense and exhausting, both physically and mentally. Being in color guard for four years now, Fuller already knew all of this and was prepared, but the new member wasn’t. The section only had one freshman this year. She was a little nervous to be the new member and meet the band, but Fuller understood this and did her best to make sure that the freshman felt welcomed and had the best experience possible. At each rehearsal, nobody went ignored and there wasn’t a single day where Fuller didn’t greet everyone with a good morning. When rehearsals got tough, Fuller advocated for the members. She made sure everyone got enough breaks and drank plenty of water. The section got so many more breaks this year because of Fuller’s advocating for them. Every member is very grateful for Fuller and her hard work this year.