Seniors Savannah Skelton and Emily Spurgers have both been a part of the Rider band since their freshmen year. As drum majors this year, they have the unique privilege of overseeing the Pride of the Raiders’ final season.
The Rider Chronicle sat down with Skelton and Spurgers to discuss the ways they’ve grown and their favorite memories from the past four years.
Q: What has been your favorite part of being a drum major overall?
Skelton: My favorite part has just been being able to watch everyone grow in the band and seeing all the hard work we’ve put in.
Spurgers: My favorite part of being a drum major is being able to have a part to play in everyone’s band experience, not just a small section. It’s amazing seeing the band grow as a whole.
Q: What’s been the most challenging part of this role for you?
Skelton: Everyone kind of puts everything on your back. It’s all up to you to lead everything, so if you mess up then everyone messes up. So it’s stress to be perfect.
Spurgers: The hardest part of being a drum major is definitely the level of responsibility. I love being able to help people, but there’s definitely a lot of pressure to drop everything the moment someone needs something from you, which is quite a lot.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of the last year of Rider band?
Skelton: It means a lot. I’m glad I get to close it out and be a part of the great legacy this band has put up.
Spurgers: To be a part of the last year of Rider band is one of the most incredible honors I’ve experienced in my life. We have spent this year finishing off as the 63rd band by carrying on the strong legacy that was left for us and I couldn’t be prouder.
Q: In what ways have you grown since your freshman year in band?
Skelton: I’ve grown a lot. My freshman year I wanted to quit, but I’ve just grown in being able to meet people and be more welcoming to people. The people in it made me stay. It’s a great environment to be in and I have a family there.
Spurgers: I think most seniors will agree with me in that we have changed tremendously since freshman year. I think band especially has helped me to grow as a person and in my leadership and decision making abilities.
Q: Do you have a favorite band memory?
Skelton: I’d probably go with the night one of the buses broke down so we had to put everyone onto one bus and there were people in the aisles. It was a lot of loudness at three in the morning.
Spurgers: One of my favorite band memories is dressing up for summer band this year as Barbie and Ken with Savannah.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
Skelton: I’m going to go to OSU and try out for marching band and hopefully get in and major in nursing.
Spurgers: After graduation I am planning to go to the University of North Texas for a bachelor’s of science in chemistry and then to their pharmacy school to get my PharmD degree.
