They're with the Band: Seneca Valley's Drum Majors Look Forward to a Successful Season

Although it was months ago, Audrey Semel and Jackie Mortimer can still recall in detail just how nervous they were individually performing before a panel of judges in the hopes of becoming s next drum majors.

“It was so nerve-racking,” Semel said.

Each girl had spent weeks before the tryouts listening to the music for the marching band’s 2011 halftime show and perfecting their conducting techniques.

It was no surprise then that they nailed the auditions.

Semel, 18, and Mortimer, 17, were selected instead of seven other students as Seneca Valley’s drum majors for the 2011-12 school year.

The rising seniors kicked off their first season as leaders earlier this week at the start of Seneca Valley’s marching band camp. It was the first time either girl had climbed the ladders set front of the musicians to conduct, a feat they called exhilarating and a little scary.

“It’s higher than it looks,” Semel said.

For the trombone-playing Semel, leading the band is a family affair. Her sister, Ann Semel, was Seneca Valley’s drum major two years earlier. Semel said watching her big sister perform inspired her to try out for the same position.

“It was cool watching her up there and think that I could be up there, too, if I worked hard at it,” she said.

Mortimer also was eager to take on a pivotal role in the band. The clarinet player said she likely will major in music education when she goes to college next year. Leading the band was a natural next step.

“I want to go into music, so I thought it was a really good experience to see what conducting is like,” she said.

The girls joined the marching band as freshman, but both have played their instruments since the fourth grade. Mortimer said it’s a unique experience to conduct the band she marched in for the past few years.

“I miss marching, but it’s nice to be the one directing,” she said. “I’m excited to actually watch the show.”

As drum majors the girls play a large role in the success of the band’s halftime show. Besides using a whistle to signal the beginning of each song, the drum majors keep time for the music. As they conduct the band, they also must be sure to keep their arm movements sharp and clean.

Band director Bob Matchett has confidence in them.

“Ultimately the success of the group comes from the success of these two young ladies, and they’re going to do an awesome job,” he said.

Fellow band director Varden Armstrong said Semel and Mortimer are role models to the 200-plus other members of the marching band. Besides their conducting abilities, Armstrong said the girls were chosen as drum majors because of their leadership qualities.

“It’s really important for us to have people of character in our band,” he said. “It starts from the top down.”

Semel and Mortimer are up for the challenge. Both seniors said they are excited to conduct the band in front of a crowd during the first football game of the season Sept. 2.

“It’s going to be intense,” Semel said. “The adrenaline will be pumping.”