Music is one of the most vital parts of my life. Throughout my high school career I have been a member of the music department. I have participated in jazz band, concert band, guitar, and marching band at Columbia High School. I am a percussionist, and there is not a minute of my day that I do not have some sort of rudimental rhythm racing through my mind. My favorite part of being in the music department is the marching band and drumline season. Throughout the year I play all sorts of percussion instruments but my favorite thing to do is play snare. For the past two years I have been drumline captain; this leadership role has not only helped me grow as a musician, but has also helped me grow as an individual.
As drumline captain I am held accountable for everything, negative or positive, that the rest of my drumline does. Our drumline at Columbia High School consists of four bass drum players, two quad players, two cymbal players, and me on snare. I could not be in charge of a better group of kids. As captain it is my responsibility to make sure that the rest of the drumline knows their music as well as is disciplined in character and attendance throughout the marching band season. With a rowdy group of underclassmen it is not always easy, but I have found the correct methods to not only gain respect, but also build friendships.
Being drumline captain has transformed my character by building confidence in my leadership skills as well as teaching me responsibility. If one of the students on my drumline does not learn their music, if they are late or skip a practice, if they are disruptive during a rehearsal, I am held accountable. Through getting to know the other members of my drumline on a personal level I have built a relationship with each of them with mutual respect. I have learned that they will respect me if I respect them. Starting out this past year with an abundance of new freshman faces was a challenge. Many of the new students did not come into...