On any Friday night at Deerfield, you see them tossing their batons, leading the band with seamless cues. But who are the students behind those crisp uniforms?
Greyson Shea and Alexa Rodriguez, Deerfield’s two senior drum majors, are at the heart of the Warrior Marching Band (WMB) this year. From the stands, their job might seem simple—a toss, a jog, and then conducting for the rest of the game. But behind those Friday night lights is a world of unseen work and dedication.
This is the first year Shea and Rodriguez have stepped into the role, taking over from graduates Cecilia Brubaker and Chloe Lewis. Their leadership also coincides with a big change: the Warriors have a new director, Eden Schultz.
Adjusting to new leadership brought its own challenges, but Shea notes, “The change was a slight challenge at first, but she’s been very relaxed with us. I suspect I’m getting away with more with her than I would with Ms. Holt.”
Ms. Holt, though still teaching band at school, stepped down as WMB director this year. The transition brought some nerves, as the program lost a beloved leader. But Schultz quickly stepped up, continuing the club’s close-knit community.
When WMB glides onto Adam’s Field with detailed precision, it looks effortless. But behind the scenes, countless hours of practice make that possible. Drum majors play a critical part in making sure every member knows what note to play, when to play it, and where to stand.
“During band camp, we spent our time working with different sections to teach them the basics of marching, and during rehearsals, we conduct and maintain tempo so that we play together,” Rodriguez said. “Drum majors also play an important role in communication, like making sure any information the director has given us reaches every member of the band.”
Their leadership goes well beyond the music. Shea and Rodriguez pour their hearts into unifying the band, balancing rigorous coursework and responsibilities to bring music and a show to every football game.
Their impact isn’t just musical—it’s social, too. Like all Deerfield clubs, the band values a welcoming environment, but there’s something special about WMB. Rodriguez explains, “We organize events outside of marching band, like having a tradition to get food together after a football game, or an ‘I survived band camp’ hangout, where people can get to know each other better outside of band. We also have fun traditions during games, like a chant at the third down of the third quarter, or ‘halftime bingo.’” These traditions help the band bond beyond rehearsals.
Despite the drum majors’ hard work, many students miss halftime performances by leaving early—missing both the Warrior Dance Team and Marching Band. This doesn’t go unnoticed by the performers, who wish more students would stay to support their efforts.
Rodriguez urges, “Y’all should really start sticking around for a few minutes during halftime to watch our performances!”
Nevertheless, these drum majors show the true spirit of a Warrior, and they do it together. The job couldn’t get done without their trust in each other. Shea sums it up: “Even though there’s a lot of pressure on drum majors to perform well, it’s a dream come true to be where I am, leading the band alongside one of my favorite people. There’s not a person on Earth I’d rather be co-drum majors with.”
