DIAMOND RANCH HIGH SCHOOL

Post Graduation Plans?

To become a music major!

Favorite Band memory?

Marching in the tournament of roses honor band at the rose parade

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

Over time I’ve become more charismatic and love to help others learn and grow by teaching them all of my own knowledge passed by previous generations, I’ve also been great at encouraging others positively and making it a fun experience.

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Always be patient, accommodate for others and be mindful of what you do / say, because the people you teach will remember you and take that knowledge with them, so always be the best you can be for them while enjoying what you do as well.

RIM OF THE WORLD HIGH SCHOOL

Post Graduation Plans?

Majoring in nursing, minoring in music.

Favorite Band memory?

Getting to meet some of my Drum Major friends at the Pomona Christmas Parade for the first time! :)

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

The biggest takeaway from my experience as a musical leader was learning to be patient and not letting the simplest things bother you. Such as acknowledging that not everyone in band has the same levels of passion as I do and that it takes time to improve individually and as a whole ensemble. Also, realize that you do not have to be a perfectionist or the best. Instead, have fun because of the love of music.

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Understand that you will certainly make mistakes as a Leader, and that it is okay to mess up because we are all human. It is also a learning experience for future situations.

SANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOL (Garden Grove)

Post Graduation Plans?

majoring in music education at CSULB

Favorite Band memory?

Spaghetti dinner—an event we host where people eat spaghetti and listen to us play! This year was special though, for many factors :D There were so many people who had came that we had to set up more tables and chairs, trying to fit them in. Presenting our first one in 3 years to have such an amazing turnout, filled with fantastic chamber groups, and blessed with the opportunity to conduct our band to Grainger’s Horkstow Grange—this night was very special to me :>

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

Sounds cliché but it’s okay to make mistakes along the way as long as you take it as a learning opportunity!!

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Don’t forget to live in the moment

MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL

Post Graduation Plans?

Attending Washington University in St. Louis

Favorite Band memory?

Huddling together as a Corps before our final competition

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

It takes a lot to lead. There is a clear attraction to being a leader, particularly with holding any sort of power. That desire or liking of power is not wrong, but the abuse of that power is. In all things, any proper leader will not lead based on their power to command and force others into action, but based on their character, for which others will willingly follow.

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Remember all the things you promised to do/be as a leader when you applied. Adhere to those words steadfastly. Remember that all your actions have lasting impacts on others, your marching group, and your reputation. Learn to know when your own abilities are not sufficient, and learn to be comfortable with allowing another person help you. As you lead, remember to ask yourself if you would follow yourself; if you would not, then you must change.

SANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOL (Garden Grove)

Post Graduation Plans?

I plan on going to Cal State Fullerton and to have fun exploring new environments and workspaces.

Favorite Band memory?

My favorite band memory is when my friends messed around after the 2018 Arcadia Band Review. My favorite memory from competing in SAML was the whole day at champs at Downey Highschool.

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

My biggest take away from being a musical leader is that in order to see the progress you envision you must be the one to take initiative.

What is your advice for future Leaders?

My advice for future leaders is to make sure you form mutual respect between you and those you are leading, that is how you can be effective during your time as a leader.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL

Post Graduation Plans?

My plans are going to rcc for 2 years and after that will plan on joining the national guards then transfer to navy

Favorite Band memory?

Every memory is my favorite

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

Bonding and socializing

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Give everyone the best first impressions of you , then progress from there

SANTIAGO HIGH SCHOOL (Corona)

Post Graduation Plans?

Currently, I am attending community college and trying to find what I want to do!

Favorite Band memory?

My favorite memory is bitter-sweet. I was chosen to be the parade Drum Major for the Mt. Carmel competition in 2021. I was coming off with great results from the previous parade, practiced my routine precisely, and had a great sleep before the competition- I was very prepared and confident. That was until I got a penalty for being out-of-step. It could've been the overwhelming emotions knowing that my family couldn't see my performance making me lonely as they were across the country or the pressure to succeed in order to increase my chances of spinning at Arcadia. Since my Freshman year, it was my dream to represent the Band at Arcadia. I would practice for hours on end during the summer, perfecting any part of my spinning that I felt was flawed. I wanted to be an unstoppable force on the street and have my name cemented in Drum Major history. But when I skipped in San Diego, I thought everything I dreamt of would become a nightmare. In my salute, from the scanning eyes of judges, my mind was racing about the future. It was as if the world had ended; the street could crumble right there and then and I could just fall into that sinkhole without fear, believing that everything in my life had just failed. But I kept going. I kept going because this was the role I signed up for. I was influencing 200+ people and I knew that giving up would not help us gain confidence for future competitions. I chose to fight through the pain, so that the Band could remain strong and prevail against odds. I held my head up high and finished the parade. When we were changing out, the Colorguard came up to me and commended my performance. Whether or not they knew, I began to cry in happiness. The support they gave me that day reminded me of why I wanted to become Drum Major- I wanted to be able to support others, like how my Drum Major, Olivia, did for me, in order for them to achieve the greatest effort they could. I remembered the love I received and adversity I faced that helped me become the student leader I was that day. I finally realized that my impact didn't lay on the asphalt or trophies of our competitions, it was based on if I could positively influence those around me. From there I would begin to build a better and stronger foundation of my endeavors in Band, especially in support of Julian and Araceli, my other Drum Majors. This is my favorite memory because it has taught me to be persistent in the face of adversity, support those you love the most, become selfless in times of importance, and cherish things for what they are before they pass.

Describe the biggest take away from your experience as a musical leader.

From my experience, the biggest take away would be my ability to take initiative in necessary situations. Although I've always been that type of person to be the first to go after something independently, my execution and timing wasn't great. I would do futile tasks, thinking that I was being useful, when I really wasn't. Being a musical leader and the training that the BOSS offered has helped me hone this skill that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I can assess the correct timing of when I am needed and execute properly. I am always still learning and hope to add more essential additions to improve. I learned that being shy and not opening up will decrease the chances of one receiving opportunities. I can do things myself, but also remain accountable.

What is your advice for future Leaders?

Future leaders, utilize effective communication. This skill is useful as it is very universal and I credit it for the excellence my Drum Majors and I were able to demonstrate. There would be times where we made mistakes that affected us and whenever that happened, we always talked about it as soon as possible or afterwards. This helped us grow from our mistakes in order to do better in the future. However, there might be situations where communicating might be inappropriate, so it is best to find the correct timing. Drum Major appears as such an individualist sport; it is literally one person in front of the entire band sometimes, but it doesn't have to feel this way. There are so many people that are afraid of this aspect of sole execution and lonely leadership, but you most likely have others you will work with. Communicate with these people! You need them in order to accomplish huge goals that require more than one person. Get to know them and build relationships with them. Although there will be times where you have to work alone, most of the time, you will have at least someone there to help. Balancing dependence and independence is tough, but along the way, finding the motivation to improve will help you find that balance. The experiences you will have with the people you communicate with will be a whole life lesson, but it will also be memories of joy you will cherish for the rest of your life. Communication helps with growing healthier and stronger relationships with those you care about. I had fun being in Band because I found people that I communicated with and we shared unforgettable moments. I hope that you can experience and enjoy and cherish these amazing moments too, because I know you will.