As the newly appointed head drum major, Gonzalez leads the band in parade competitions while her partner, assistant drum major Junior Johnny Wang, takes the lead in unscored events such as community parades, such as Lights on Temple City and the Camilia Festival, and the band’s annual performance at Disneyland.
“When I lead the band in parades it’s really nerve wracking,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a mental challenge because if you mess up, it’s on you, but I’m also excited because we get to show the crowd all the hard work we put into it.”
Training under Esteban Deleon, a Pasadena City College drum major and a world championship winner with the World Drum Major Association, Gonzalez and the other drum majors practice their routines for two hours, every Tuesday after school, in addition to regular band practices. There, Deleon coaches them on their leadership skills as drum majors and their form for spinning the baton.
“I like that everyday when I come in it’s a new day—a different scenario from the week before,” Deleon said. “The combination of swings that we have; it’s all about me figuring out how they work well together or what I have to do so that they can work to the best of their abilities.”
Although those flashy routines look simple enough from afar, much technique and skill are required to achieve a perfect performance. In fact, one will be surprised at the level of practice necessary to avoid harming yourself.
“I always got hurt. You always hit yourself with the baton and get bruised so easily. It’s like a battlefield,” Gonzalez said. “After a long day of practice, I feel mentally and physically drained. It takes a lot of energy trying to make everything as clean as possible, yet it is a rewarding experience.”
Together, the drum majors also create their own routines, manage the band, set the example for their fellow band members and occasionally run rehearsals in place of Band Director Mr. Bert Ferntheil. In fact, when the band does not complete their necessary tasks, it is up to the drum majors to deal out minor punishments, such as push-ups, for acting out of line.
“We manage the band by making sure the people are doing what they are supposed to do and dealing with any issues,” Wang said. “Demi and I work very well together because we were drum majors at Oak and we have a very strong bond with each other. We know what we need and we just split up our duties.”
In separate competitions from the band, the drum majors and their apprentices participate in competitions with the WDMA as well. At these events, they are judged on six routines according to their spinning, general effect, marching and leadership. To prepare for the competitions, they hold practices twice a week at school, but most of the practice is done by themselves at home.
“Drum Major competitions for WDMA are my favorite memories,” Gonzalez said. “I get to meet new drum majors from different schools and I get to bond with the ones from my school.”