As Drum Major of the Pride of Portage Marching Band, Meaira Bennett certainly knows about hard work and dedication in an organization she loves.
Bennett, a senior at Portage High School, has spent the last four years being part of the school’s marching band.
“It is extremely hard to find a place where you can bring so many different people and different personalities together and create such beautiful bonds and succeed in one common goal and learn so much about the others around you,” Bennett said.
In the highly coveted and honored position of Drum Major, Bennett gets to conduct the band from atop a large stand while everyone plays on the field. She also assists with teaching music and marching techniques, as well as making sure all the band members have all their equipment before they perform.
“[As] Drum Major, you are taken out of your respective section and you are able to watch everyone else and be responsible for them, while at the same time being a part of the group with so much importance still being in your hands,” said Bennett.
Bennett explained that this year’s show, The Fire Within, is about oppression. The first piece is an introductory piece, the second is about giving up, and the third and final piece is about regaining strength and fighting back.
To prepare for this show, the band began rehearsing back in August, with a two-week band camp Monday through Friday. These practices run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm.
“This is when we train our new kids and we try to learn a nice chunk of the show,” Bennett said.
Once camp is over, they practice from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays then 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Saturdays either include a competition or a mini camp which also runs on the summer schedule of 8:30 am. To 5:30 p.m.
So far the hard work has paid off.
Last Saturday, the band received a gold rating with distinction in music during their semi-state competition. They placed 5th out of 12 bands in their group. They will now be traveling to Indianapolis on Oct. 25 for state finals.
“It's been a great weekend for us,” said Bennett.
That weekend even traveled into a unique experience on Monday. The band was asked to march in Monday’s Columbus Day Parade in Chicago.
Besides lots of hard work, Bennett has realized that there are other Drum Major duties that are not necessarily in the job description.
“I have found out as Drum Major that people look up to you as a role model and many have come to me for their personal problems," Bennett said. “They trust me to keep things confidential, and it's an honor that they are able to trust me the way that they do.”
When the marching band season finishes, Bennett will stay active in music by participating in jazz band, pep band, and the advanced concert band’s wind ensemble.
She is also involved in National Honor Society and theatre.
When Bennett graduates from Portage High School, she plans to attend Indiana University Northwest to become a dermatologist.