We all love the band here at Bangor, especially at pep rallies and football games, but how does a band as large as ours stay in sync? Senior role model Cora Banks was awarded the important position of drum major this year.

Banks showed an interest in joining the Slater band in fourth grade, beginning with the clarinet. Throughout the years, she has managed to learn how to play the tenor sax for marching band, the bass clarinet for symphonic and classic band, and the contra-alto clarinet for PMEA auditions.

“My mom kind of forced me to try band, but after a while I really started to enjoy it,” Banks said. “I realized all the opportunities and people I befriended. The more I got to play with various bands, the more I realized I loved being on stage with people who were also passionate about music.”

Thanks to her many years of experience and her great demonstration of leadership, Banks felt confident enough to try out for the position of drum major. A drum major is in charge of keeping the band together, conducting, leading in parades, and giving commands.

In order to audition for drum major, Banks and thirteen other members of the band attended three clinics with Mr. Hahn. Towards the end of the audition, she had to perform in front of the whole band.

With hard work and determination, Banks was awarded with the position. In order to learn how to conduct a band, she attended a camp at West Chester for a week, practicing up to ten hours a day.

“The hardest part was trying to keep a tempo for up to twelve minutes, my arms began to hurt and started to become sore,” Banks said.

The band holds a camp every year for two weeks, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the scorching August heat. They are constantly practicing their performances.

The grueling two weeks of band camp was in preparation for the band competitions held on weekends during the fall months; concluding with Nationals held in Allentown on November 4th.

“I used to get really nervous for auditions but now I go into them knowing that I have one minute to show them the months of practicing I have been doing. I just have to play to the best of my abilities,” Banks said. “Now, I get excited for auditions because my only goal is to improve my score.”

Banks hopes to attend Liberty College to double major in music performance and marketing analysis. She would like to participate in marching band in college and perform in the future.

“I’ll definitely miss the stands tunes and being with the Quarry Crew, we’re all great together,” Banks said. “Hopefully my future college will have an atmosphere as great as Bangor’s”.

Banks gives advice to band kids wanting to become a drum major- show leadership, be authoritative, and PRACTICE!