Drumroll Please: A Farewell to Seniors in Band
Disha Deepak
“This senior class has been really great. They really understand the core of why this activity is important, and they’ve been extremely encouraging of others expressing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. They’ve done a good job setting up the band for leadership in the future.”
Band is a community. More than that, band has been described by many students as their second family. It’s helped students grow as musicians, individuals, and leaders, all throughout their years of education. This year, there are 25 seniors in the band, all of whom have devoted countless hours of their time to being in band. Whether it be practicing for concert season, joining jazz band, playing pep music at basketball games, or participating in marching season, every band member is an essential part of the band family. This series is dedicated to honoring the seniors in band, and giving us all a little insight into who they are, their band experience, and the true essence of what it means to be a “band kid.”
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Drum Major: n. A person who leads a marching band or drum corps, often twirling a baton.
Kacey McMillan
Kacey McMillan is one of the band’s three drum majors. Having been in band for eight years, she’s a very talented flutist. While playing the flute wasn’t her first choice, she’s grateful for her years with it. Outside of band, Kacey is the president of the Sussex Leo Club, a youth volunteer organization. She used to swim for HHS, and she’s also a co-president of Book Bungalow, a club designed to bring high school students together with those at SSI, through the form of a book club. One thing she’s a little nervous about after high school is moving out and supporting herself financially, but she’s grateful for the chance to be able to start her life after college debt-free. In fact, one thing Kacey’s excited about after graduation is to begin her classes at WCTC — as a sophomore! She’s set to graduate from college in 2024 with a major in marketing, and she can’t wait to begin her life early.
Kacey stated, “Band is seriously like one big family. I’ve met some of my best friends through band, and some of those people aren’t even in the same grade that I am.” She described her experience walking into high school as a freshman, and how she was terrified. But, she was comforted by the knowledge that, through band, there were over 100 people who were there for her. When asked about her advice for future band members, Kacey said that a high school band can seem daunting, but if you stick with it, you won’t regret it. “You learn so many valuable life skills that you will take away forever. You gain confidence, grow as a leader and socially, you learn communication, and you get to figure out who you are.”
Josh Dahlgren
Josh Dahlgren is the second of the three drum majors. Like Kacey, his current instrument wasn’t his first choice. From fifth grade to freshman year, he played the clarinet. He found his true passion with the saxophone and now plays both the baritone and tenor saxophone. Outside of band, he’s involved in DECA, baseball, chess club, German club, and NHS. Josh is a little nervous about having the consequences of his actions having a direct impact on his life, but he can’t wait to be more independent, make his own decisions, and be able to branch out farther into the world. He plans to attend UW-Platteville with a major in mechanical engineering and baseball, and hopes to continue playing the saxophone throughout college. His advice for future band members? “Stick with it. After freshman year, I didn’t want to continue with band. But, I’m lucky that I did, because it’s been amazing.” Josh has been in band for eight years. He described the reason he enjoys band, saying that it doesn’t feel like a class. “It feels like a break from school. You just get to play music, and it’s fun.”
After the band performs in their last concert of the year, they have a portion of time where newer students are learning to march and preparing for the upcoming marching band season. During this time, a group of band students held a basketball game against the choir kids, and the memory has stuck with him as one of his favorite memories from high school. His favorite band-related memory was when the band competed at the state competition at UW-Whitewater in his freshman year. After a stunning performance, they placed second in the state. Josh stated, “It felt like the best run ever, and it was so cool to see it pay off.”
Drum Majors
Kacey and Josh’s favorite memory from this season was at the Greendale competition. Kacey said, “Josh, Marisa, and I were waiting to hear the results of the competition, and they announced us in 1st place, winning the ‘Best Visual’ award. We ran back to the rest of the band with the trophies and proudly held them up as everyone was cheering around us. It was the best feeling ever.”
Both drum majors have expressed being sad to leave their friends behind after graduation, describing how the reality of their graduation is slowly starting to hit them. Band has continued to have a tangible impact on their lives. In fact, one thing Josh and Kacey both agree on is their favorite thing about band. Both described their love for the band community, and how playing together as a group makes them feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Josh and Kacey both hope to continue playing after graduation.
