Monday, May 9, the Westwood Band announced the drum majors for the 2016 marching season. This was a highly anticipated announcement, with more than 15 rising juniors and seniors trying out.

“We all have very high hopes for this upcoming fall after an incredibly successful 2015 marching season,”  Drum Major Jack Scelsi ‘17 said. “We have a very capable student leadership team in place, and we can hardly wait to begin work on next year’s show.”

The students had to go through a more than two month drum major audition process, attending several meetings throughout this time period. The final piece of the process was an audition on Friday, May 6, which involved conducting several pieces in front of the band directors.

“I think the best part of the audition was singing and conducting the national anthem,” James Yan ‘18 said. “Since I was so nervous, I decided to sing as loud as possible.”

For the first time in Westwood Band history, the band will have five drum majors next school year. In the past years, there have been four, but due to the demands of next season’s show,  titled “Shall We Dance?”, the band directors saw fit to add an additional drum major.

“Right now it all feels very surreal, but I’m super excited to work with the rest of the drum major team and see what is in store for the band this upcoming marching season,” incoming Drum Major Cameron Adams ‘17 said.

James Yan ‘18, Daniel Shin ‘18, and Cameron Adams ‘17 are the three new drum majors for next season. Returning from last season are Maggie Lupo ‘17 and Scelsi.

“I am so excited to work with such capable people and such a strong team,”  Lupo said.

The Westwood Band looks forward to freshman band camp on Saturday, May 14. This will be the first opportunity for the new leadership team to all work together, as well as the first opportunity for the incoming freshman to meet the other members of their sections.

“I am very proud of all fifteen candidates and I am confident we made the right choice,” Band Director Brittany Dacy said. “I can’t wait for next year.”