This year the Urbana Hawks have two new Drum Majors, Kailee Unangst and Aya Fukuda. The drum major is the leader of the marching band during rehearsals and in performance. His/her job is to carry-out the instructions of the band director and other instructional staff regarding what needs to be done with the band from leading warm ups and stretches to editing some of the drills.

Hawkeye Reporter: What does being the Drum Major mean to you?

  Kailee Unangst: To me it means being a leader and it’s very different from actually being in the band, I enjoy leading and being an example to the other students.

Aya Fukuda: Being Drum Major means I get to be with my friends and also have the privilege of creating and organizing the sound that comes from our band.

   HR: What course of action did you take to get here?

  KU: I was in band freshman, sophomore, and junior year. I soon became the Flute Section Leader then I became the Woodwind co-captain.

  AF: I started out in Orchestra my freshman year then I moved on to Color guard; later on in that year I actually had a dream to become a Drum Major.

   HR: What do you plan to do with music in your later life?

  KU: I would like to minor in music and continue taking lessons on the oboe! Eventually in my life I would like to be a private music teacher.

  AF: I would at least like to minor in music.

   HR: Are there any special perks to being drum major?

  KU: A lot of times we get to see the drills before anyone else, and getting to see the formations early is awesome, we are the lucky ones because we see what the show is really about!

  AF: I like not having to march, I also get to spend a lot of quality time with my friends, and with Mr. Harrisons permission we have a little bit of creative control over how the students both play and march.