By: Annabella Biancheri
Emma Martin is a junior at Westborough High School and she is passionate about band.
Martin has been playing the flute since second grade and once band was offered at school in the fifth grade, she was excited to join.
Martin says that growing up she was the stereotypical young girl who loved pink and princesses so her mom entered a raffle for free flute lessons and she won. Her teacher was Joanna Hiem. Martin felt encouraged to continue playing flute and still takes flute lessons once a week.
Besides flute she has been asked to play piccolo for some pieces. Martin reflects, “I played piccolo in MICCA and districts and I thought that would be it but I ended up playing a little last year.” And although Martin likes the piccolo, she’d rather play flute. “Piccolo is hard because it has a different ambrose and has a very high range and their are often a lot of rests in the parts, I don’t intend to continue since I like flute better,” comments Martin.
Martin continued to play flute but when high school came around there were so many new opportunities to further her playing such as full orchestra, marching band, and select ensembles. She decided to join the marching band but wasn’t sure what to expect. She immediately felt welcomed. “Marching band has introduced me to a great group of people including reintroducing me to my best friend.”
Martin likes marching band because they get to play fun and current songs that they don’t play in symphonic band. She also loves the family atmosphere that allows everyone to be comfortable talking to people from different section. She also gets the opportunity to speak with kids from other grades she wouldn’t otherwise talk to.
Another way the group bonds is with movie nights held at the drum majors houses. After football games the marching band sometimes hosts movie nights were the band can get together and watch movies and relax. She says, “I like movie nights because I get to socialize with my friends and we get to know each other beyond the band room.”
Martin was lucky enough to become the section leader in the Westborough Ranger marching band. She takes her job very seriously and tries to be the best she can be. “Being a section leader is more than getting people to do what you tell them to do, it’s about being a positive role model.”
“I’m like a nerdy band kid, and I wanted to be more involved,” Martin laughs. “I also felt inspired to do more, by my section leaders freshmen and sophomore year.” Becoming a section leader is more than just saying sure I’ll do it. It is a long process that the band director Mr. Doyle goes through to insure he gets a group of dedicated and hardworking students helping out in the success of the band program.
Each student interested in a leadership role must submit an application along with a brief essay on why they are interested in the position and how they are a good leader and applicant for the position. Then they have an interview and after all the interviews Mr. Doyle will post a sheet with all the leadership team members. What makes Martin a good leader she believes is that “I’m confident and respect every member of my section, and I try to build my section up.”
This year the leadership team has decided to have monthly meetings to help improve the band in this upcoming year. Martin says she has learned a lot, “Mr. Doyle has taught us great leadership techniques.” One example is that “The band is your mirror,” this means that in your own actions you have to do the things you want the band to do and those who look up to you will follow.
“Music is important to me and band is where I belong, band is important to me. Band makes me happy on the darkest days,” comments Martin.
