Falcon Focus: I am a drum major

Drum major: marching band conductor, guilt giver, baton wielder, recipient of bad jokes; may work up to 30 hours a week with no salary.

In other words, senior Michael Shang’s ideal job.

Shang’s position is the culmination of eight years in Saratoga’s music program. During the marching season, which encompassed most of August, September, October, and November, Shang was one of four drum majors who led the band through its competitive field show season and Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade performance in New York. 

“I always wanted to be a drum major throughout high school because I love band and I want to have the biggest impact on it as I can,” Shang said. 

This year’s marching band’s drum majors were seniors Kevin Chen, Justin Hang, Bennett Lopez, and Shang. The four students did not divide their work officially, but each committed to an enormous amount of time.

Despite his busy schedule, Shang said he didn’t regret anything.

“I wouldn’t call anything a sacrifice; [band] is just where I like to be,” Shang said. “Maybe a few of my grades have dropped because of it, but it’s worth it.”

Shang’s leadership was already apparent in his junior year when he served as trumpet section leader. He applied for drum major last spring.  

Shang had to write an essay, complete a conducting audition where he led the band for five minutes, and find students willing to recommend him for the position.

Shang had applied for drum major once before in middle school, but the band director chose another student instead.

“They didn’t want me because apparently [I was] not good enough,” he said as he looked down at his hands. “So I always wanted to be drum major in high school.” 

He learned in June he had been selected for drum major, and spent the summer preparing for the upcoming season by attending a drum major camp where he learned to conduct, lead, and spin the baton. He also ran and worked out out to avoid “looking like a wimp.”

Shang was referring to the marching band tradition of drum majors regularly going shirtless during rehearsal, which exposes their toned physiques or lack thereof.  

In addition, the band often playfully teases drum majors. During the annual silly awards ceremony, students voted Shang and sophomore Alice Huang or freshman Alice He as cutest couple. Shang received a shirt that read “I’m with her” with arrows pointing both left and right despite the fact Shang is not dating either girl. 

However, the position was most difficult because of the high level of student leadership it required.

“If you get mad, then everyone else is unhappy,” he said. “No matter what the situation is, always [have] a positive attitude.”

He said he often relies on this principle during rehearsal, especially when students do not listen to his or the band directors’ instructions.

For example, at the beginning of the year, the band’s student leadership planned to gather every two weeks, but in reality only met about twice during the entire season.

“People get tired and they don’t want to put as much effort into it,” Shang said. “You just have to go with it and spend more time trying to get people back on track.”

Because of his outlook, Shang worked well with others, fellow drum major senior Kevin Chen said.

“He is very good at talking to people [because] he can relieve tension easily,” Chen said. “He likes to take initiative in whatever we do.”

Once during rehearsal, Shang asked the group to jog a mile, double the distance they typically run, to prepare for the Macy’s Parade.  Band director Jonathan Pwu stopped him before he could begin, saying it would be too difficult for some students. 

Easygoing as ever, Shang ended an interview by saying, “Join band!”