New drum major helps band
dynamics
By Jenny Jones
Summer
Reporter
When Stephanie Swierczek first tried on the drum
major's tall, bear-skinned hat, her initial reaction was to laugh.
"I think it will look a lot more regal when I'm
wearing the whole uniform and not just a T-shirt and jeans," said Swierczek,
a junior in the School of Liberal Arts.
Swierczek will be the third female to hold the
position of drum major at Purdue.
"I'm both thrilled and honored to have been chosen
for this job," Swierczek said.
Although she is excited about her accomplishment,
Swierczek said her parents are even more thrilled than she is.
"They've already bought their season tickets and
will be driving all the way from Aurora, Ill. every game day," said
Swierczek.
This is not Swierczek's first time as a bandleader
however; she also served as drum major at her hometown high school.
While occupying the position of Purdue's drum major,
Swierczek's main responsibilities will include getting the "All American"
Marching Band ready for shows and leading the band on game days.
To prepare for the position, Swierczek is working
with returning drum major Shaun Jones to learn the basics of the job.
"We're meeting throughout the summer," Swierczek
said.
Throughout her two-year involvement with the band,
Swierczek said she has always wanted to be an influence on the band,
whether she was drum major or in some other leadership position.
"It's all about pride," Swierczek said.
It was pride such as this, that Swierczek said
pushed her through the lengthy audition process every drum major wannabe
must endure.
The audition consisted of a written section containing
questions such as, "What qualities do you feel you possess that would
make you a good drum major?," an interview by the directors of
the Purdue Bands and an audition.
"We want people to say, ‘Isn't that drum major
dynamic?,’ and (Swierczek's) going to be dynamic and exciting,"
said David Leppla, director and associate professor of bands.
During her audition, Swierczek demonstrated the
Drum Major Strut, showed how to conduct the band, showed leader maneuvers
and performed a minute long mace routine.
Swierczek said she has always wanted to help the
band realize its full potential.
"It's an incredible opportunity and I'm not going
to let a second of it pass me by," she said.
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