There are many positions that high school students can hold that are considered student leadership positions. They can be teacher assistants, football captains, cheerleader captains, or student body presidents. All this requires students to have good character and a strong mind. However, none of these can compare to the demands placed on the drum major. The drum major is the student leader of the group, and he is at the same time a model, a teacher, a friend to all, an excellent musician, a performer, a liaison between the group and the director, the "gopher » in chief of the director. », and the head of morale. The drum major leads the marching band at halftime and during rehearsals, but as the list above shows, their job is much more inclusive. I joined the West Monroe High School Rebel Band in August of 2007. Even though I had been in the band for three years. In middle school and high school, orchestra represented a whole new world full of many changes. One of the biggest changes was the addition of walking; all of a sudden it was like I was learning to play again. Other nicer changes include Friday night football games, bus rides, and the close-knit family the freshmen are a part of. I enjoyed every moment of my first year, but I observed three people very closely, Daniel Zeagler, Valerie Wade, and Angela Rutledge, the drum majors. I knew their position was the one I wanted to have one day. During my sophomore year, I decided to try to become a drum major. I wanted to hear my name called and be recognized, of course, but more than that, I wanted to test my ability to lead. I wanted the opportunity to really make a difference in the program of the group that meant so much to me. So, I practice...... middle of paper ......command. After muttering a few things under my breath, I turned off the drums, played “Present Horns” and started the song again. I recovered well, but I felt like a scorned puppy leaving the field. Since then, I have overcome the shame of the mistake. I fully accept it, but I have also realized my own fallibility, something I have always struggled with. This mistake taught me more than any other in my life the meaning of humility, and it taught me how important humility is for a good leader. A drum major is the ultimate student leadership position. Few high school students are expected to speak in front of groups of two hundred people; only the drum majors actually lead them. I learned many, many lessons during the fall of my freshman year, more than I could ever write down. I learned a little about conducting, a lot about being a leader and even more about myself..