Emily Benton – More Than Just Drum Major

Emily Benton may be small, but is confident, strong and a natural born leader. Benton started off with the piano at the age of 6. Now she is a Drum Major and plays 11 different instruments.

“Being Drum Major is very important because it is a go between the teacher and students, they help set up the field, help teach marching and music and also conducts and leads on the field.” Band teacher Michael Solomon said. “Benton is a Drum Major because she is well respected by her peers and she’s also very decisive and sticks with her decisions knowing she’s doing what’s best for the group.”

“Emily Benton is very independent, she is very able to work by herself, to get done what needs to be done and do so without complying” said Solomon, the band teacher.

With being very independent it means that she has many responsibilities. With Benton’s responsibilities it can either make her the good cop whom everybody loves or the bad cop which everybody hates, Benton said.

“I definitely think leadership was put into me naturally, I’ve always kind of been the oldest child and because I’m the oldest child in my family I kind of consider myself a leader,” Benton said .

Now that Benton is a leader is she works hard not just for herself but for others. Regular band members are just concerned about themselves but when you are a leader you are not just concerned about yourself but about other band members.

Benton’s band teacher, Michael Solomon ”How well does Benton work under pressure?” He calmly answered with,” As a Drum Major you have to work under pressure all the time. All the times when she leading the group or conducting on the field there is a pretty high chance that if you mess up everybody mess up, but she does very well with it.

“The band is like a second family for me.” said Benton

The people inside the band room are definitely friends. They spend most of their time together in and out of the band room. They look out for each other and protect them like they love them, Katie Austin, band student said.

“Emily Benton wouldn’t do what she does if she wasn’t passionate about it”, said Solomon

She is clearly dedicated to what is does. She loves with all her heart. She loves making music, beautiful music that you won’t be able to forget, said Solomon

Emily Benton basically, stands up there, conducts the band, and keeps us in line when where acting stupid,” said Alexis Wade.