Friday night lights will shine on co-drum majors

As the Burroughs High School football team heads into the locker room at halftime tonight, the BHS Marching Band will make its appearance under the direction of  one of its two drum majors.
This year seniors Bekah Dickey and Julia Rindt will share responsibility for leading the marching band.  They will alternate performance duties — each has a spot within the band while the other leads — and support one another in reaching their goals.
“Our roles as the drum majors are to lead the band, not only in a performance environment but to lead them through learning more about their instruments and their role,” said Rindt. Dickey adds that they are focused on “improving as an ensemble” and assisting the musicians and band director Brian Cosner.
Each is well-prepared for the role, as both have been involved in music since they were young.
Rindt, the daughter of piano teacher Patrick Rindt, started out playing the piano and singing in the children’s choir.
“As of now I have been in dozens of performances, including symphonic/classical, jazz, and musical theater,” said Rindt. “I have played other instruments, and I have decided to focus my musical efforts on the electric and stand-up bass, bassoon, and my voice.”
Dickey’s background in music started with singing in her church congregation. She later started taking piano lessons and in sixth grade she joined Band, beginning with the clarinet. Now she is expanding her range.
“I have been focusing on my proficiency in more instruments, including French horn, alto sax, voice, and piano,” said Dickey.
Ahead of tonight’s performance, the pair discussed the band’s field show, which is called ‘Aerodynamics.’
“We are trying some new things this marching season in the hopes of growing our program,” said Dickey. “One of these changes includes having fewer marchers on the field. We will be able to have backdrops and a tech crew. We also hope that by making this change, we will be stronger musically for parades and playing in the stands.”
With a new vision to implement, motivating and leading their peers will play a big role, and they are looking forward to the challenge.
“I think a happy and healthy environment is essential to the growth and prosperity of any group, so I make this a priority in my leadership,” said Rindt. “When me and my co-drum major are together, I think we do this very well, and I’m extremely pleased with how the year is going so far.”