Loud chatter as everyone walks down the track prepping for halftime. Someone laughs near the trumpets as a drumstick clatters to the pavement. The low rumble of drums playing in the air while Mr. Walker’s voice cuts through the chatter: “Alright everyone, Lets go!” He points to the drum majors to whistle off the command. Everyone stands at attention Horns down, walking onto the field as the Drumline plays their cadence .The crowd buzzed under the bright stadium lights, as the marching band finished getting set. Senior drum major Nathan Pera lifts his hands. The band falls silent , then bursts into sound on his cue. Nathan Pera is A Senior and Head drum major for the marching band. He says, “This year in marching band has been different, being drum major instead of actually being on the field with the band. It has given me an outside perspective of what goes on behind the scenes beyond learning the music and drill.” He’s spent the season helping different sections, understanding logistics, and leading the band through their busiest and most challenging year yet. Nathan’s been in the marching band since freshman year, and he’s watched the program evolve completely. “My freshman and sophomore year, the marching band, led by Mr. Miller and Mr. Vaschur, was more for the experience of being in a marching band,” he explains. “We had minimal drill, simple music, and nothing was too strict.” But when Mr. Miller retired and Mr. Walker and Ms. Wilkes stepped in, the band began to transform. “They started to incorporate more challenging drill and music and got the ball rolling toward a more strict high school marching band,” Nathan says. “This year, they took a large step forward by choosing even more challenging music, having more drill, more performance opportunities, and being more particular about everything we do.” He says that change has helped him and everyone else grow as musicians and teammates. “I personally like how the band has evolved since my first year and I hope to see that it will continue to grow in the future.” “This season in its entirety was a very memorable season for me,” Nathan says. “Each game was more fun than the last. I met and grew close to many people. All the opportunities we had like the 4th of July parades, playing at the Fan Expo, performing on CBS, and of course Cedar Point—everything we’ve had the privilege to do helped make this season my best.” Nathan remembers senior night, saying, “That game was the most fun game I’ve had throughout all four seasons. Getting to stand on that podium, march down that field, and experience all of that for one last time with these people that I love was a moment that I’ll never forget and will forever cherish.” Nathan has come a long way from Freshman year to Senior year. From marcher to leader, from learning drill to directing it.