Director of the Big Red Marching Machine and Assistant Director of Bands, Gavin Smith are pleased to introduce the 2016-2017 drum majors: Connor Bowman, Alex Finley, Ariel Furgat, and Sarah Rasmussen.
Returning for his fourth year as a member of the Big Red Marching Machine, Bowman is a music education major, who has been both a mellophonist and a drum major with the band. Active in the horn studio, Bowman feels that being a drum major is an opportunity to give back to the ensemble as much as the ensemble has given him during his tenure at ISU.
Music education major, Finley has been the sousaphone section leader for the past two years in the band. As section leader, Finley worked to ensure that each member of his section was well prepared and ready to perform at their best. He is looking forward to the opportunity to apply his experience as a section leader to leading the entire band. Alex is member of Professor of Music Andy Rummel’s tuba studio.
Furgat is a music therapy major who has been active in the band for the past two years as a mellophonist. With previous experience as her high school drum major, section leader in multiple ensembles, and participation in The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, Furgat embraces the vision of the Big Read Marching Machine and looks forward to applying her previous leadership experience to her role as drum major.
A double major in cellular and molecular biology, Rasmussen has performed for one year as a baritone player in the band. Rasmussen is also active in the flute studio and flute section of ISU Bands. Her many musical and non-musical experiences have helped her develop her leadership skills which she will apply to her role as a drum major.
Smith said the Big Red Marching Machine is quickly taking shape for the fall season, and the band looks forward to performing at the football games and other upcoming events.
Congratulations to the 2016-2017 drum majors on their selection.
