North Hills Drum Major Delivers Team Tempo

When Evan Perez isn't leading the on a Friday night or helping out his underclass band-mates, he's likely doing something else team-oriented.

A senior, the 17 year-old Perez has been involved with the band for five years. He plays french horn and also is involved in the wind ensemble and orchestra. He plays baseball and golf, admitting that during the school year, he doesn't have much free time.

If he had to pick just one thing to do, without question Perez would pick marching band.

“I wouldn't spend my time anywhere else. The people that I'm with on the field are my best friends. We do really great work together.”

As the band's drum major, he is in a leadership position, guiding 130 other people to a solid performance. He is in charge of making sure that the underclassmen are all on the same page, executing what they've learned and ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goal.

But Perez just doesn't see it that way. He referenced this year's theme, “building together,” and said that he's just one part of a team, one of 21 seniors who form the persona and ultimately the success of the band.

“The most important role of the band's success is the role of the senior. It's not as much pressure as some may think because every senior has each other's back. I can trust every one of my seniors,” he said.

North Hills band director Leonard Lavelle said that Perez' insatiable drive to make the band better is what makes him a leader.

“All of our seniors bring unique talents to the band and lead together, but as the drum major, Evan is the voice of the marching band on the field," Lavelle said.  "He always wonders and wants more, and he is willing to stick himself out there to help the group get there.”

Perez also plays the marching horn, the piano, guitar and bass. His parents, both chemists, have played instruments in the past — his father the guitar and his mother the clarinet.

He plans to follow in his parents' footsteps in another way. After high school, Perez would like to attend the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon or Duquesne University to major in chemistry or pharmacy.

North Hills , where bands from the region gather to perform for the public as a fundraiser for the Instrumental Parents Association. Unlike football games where people just watch the band perform during halftime, the crowd gathers strictly to see the bands at their finest. It was there that, at the end of performing their Chicago show, Perez said he was overwhelmed with confidence and a feeling of doing the absolute best that he could have done.

“It was exhilarating,” Perez said. “Just getting the feeling after you're done that you've accomplished something … there's no other feeling like it.”

Even with all of that responsibility and success, Perez remains modest.

Without his fellow seniors, he said he wouldn't be where he is today. Perez said he believes the experiences he's had with the band has prepared him for college and his career, such as leading a team of researchers or other leadership opportunities.

“I had to connect with every single personality type to get a message through. Outside of high school, it's going to allow me to connect with people and build relationships with anybody that I might come across with,” he said.

“I'd describe it all as rewarding. The friendships I've made are priceless. I'll remember them all.”