“Freshman year I thought the band was the lamest thing ever,” senior Claire Manson said. “Then something switched.”
This super shy underclassman considered quitting band her freshman year. However, director Johathon Green reminded her that “can’t isn’t a word in her vocabulary.”
All of a sudden, Manson’s outlook on band dramatically changed.
“Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing,” Manson said as she recalled her thoughts from freshman year. “I’m going to try and make the best of this.”
By the end of her sophomore year, she was ready to face a new challenge—applying for drum major.
“The funny thing is that I almost didn’t turn in my drum major application because I thought I wouldn’t get it as a sophomore,” Manson said.
One of the driving factors for Manson’s becoming a drum major was to promote a positive approach to leading the marching band.
“I thought that if somebody in a leadership position could show that we can have fun and get stuff done at the same time, it could make our entire band better,” Manson said.
She also acknowledged that gaining Green’s trust, along with the rest of the band, was a crucial step in the process.
“When they all put their trust in me, it makes me want to show up for them because I don’t want to let them down,” Manson said.
Yet, Manson’s dream for the band did not come without roadblocks.
“Last year, I was nervous because I was thinking that I didn’t know if I could do this, and I had never done anything like this before,” Manson said.
Manson knows that while technical skills are important, mental skills are just as important. “We would also work on my confidence and future aspirations,” Manson said.
Green’s outlook on hardship is that “struggles show a person’s uniqueness and ability to grow.” Green added that helping students find their purpose outside the band room is his favorite part of teaching.
“My technical title is a music teacher, but I believe that my other most important job is to help students realize their role in the world outside of school,” Green said.
After seeing Manson grow throughout her high school career, Green concluded that she is capable of whatever she puts her mind to.
Taking her skills to the next level in college is something that piqued her interest.
“A goal of mine is to eventually be a drum major at a college level just like Mr. Green,” Manson said.
While Manson’s marching band journey is far from over, the leap from a shy freshman to a confident conductor is something that she won’t take for granted.
“When things start to get hard, I just remember it’s all worth it.”
