One key element of the end of the school year is kickstarting preparations for the activities and groups that will take place next year, with many of these groups beginning practices and meetings over the summer to prepare for the following school year. Along with this comes the opening of the new marching band season, which revolves around the assignment of new roles to students who will take on important leadership positions. The band’s drum majors, which play key roles in leading the band and instructing new members, are especially important, and band director Chad Mielens shares insight into how these positions are filled.
“Drum major candidates go through an audition process that includes conducting, giving vocal commands, teaching marching skills, and interviewing with the directors and outgoing drum majors,” Mielens said.
Due to the qualifications and experience necessary for drum majors to effectively take on these leadership roles, seniors are usually the ones appointed. However, for next year’s marching band, current sophomore Ava Zeratsky is one of the two drum majors that have been chosen, a unique occurrence that showcases her talent and expertise.
Such an influential role requires having an important skill set, such as intense determination and strong leadership skills. According to Mielens, these qualities and more were what led him to select Zeratsky for the position.
“Ava will be one of our two drum majors for the 2025-26 school year along with Mason Gay. Ava stood out because she is an outstanding musician, hard worker, and kind person. She is dependable and sets an excellent example for her peers. We have had 11th graders occasionally, but drum majors are typically seniors. Ava worked very hard to earn this position,” Mielens said.
Zeratsky began her career in band in 6th grade, stating that she wished to join as soon as she could. Interested in both jazz band and marching band, she has had a few different roles over the course of taking the class.
“I’ve always played trumpet, but this year I was principal chair in both wind ensemble and green jazz,” Zeratsky said.
As with any role involving a large amount of responsibility and pressure, anxiety about performing well is sure to follow. Zeratsky mentions that, though she is excited to take on this position, she is not entirely without worries.
“I just don’t want to mess up on game days because if I mess up my conducting or something then the whole band will be off and that would be bad,” Zeratsky said.
Zeratsky’s selection as a junior drum major for the 2025-2026 marching band season highlights her talent and dedication to music. As the band prepares for the new season, the new drum majors will take on their new responsibilities, but despite the inevitable pressure that comes along with such a major position, Zeratsky’s strong work ethic and dependability, as highlighted by Mielens, suggest she is well-prepared to guide the band to success.
“[I am most looking forward to] just being able to be involved with the band as a whole and not just one section of it,” Zeratsky said.
