Marshalltown High School seniors Frank Iole, left, and Angel Ramirez are drum majors of the Bobcat Marching Band. The band will makes its debut for the season on September 2.
Frank Iole and Angel Ramirez know the storied history of the Bobcat Marching Band and now they are part of it as drum majors heading into the 2016 season.
The Marshalltown High School seniors assist Mr. Bret Lee and Mr. Brett Umthun with the band as they gear up for the season debut during halftime of the home football game vs. Mason City on September 2.
Ramirez said when he was a freshman in the band it was fun to see the show come together through the dedication of staff and students.
“As we are older now, we wanted to take a lead in that,” Ramirez said.
Drum majors direct the band, critique the performances and serve as student leaders of the band. Iole said being a drum major “builds leadership skills” while Ramirez said the role “helps build character.”
Both also stay busy with several other school activities at MHS. Iole is a three-time All-State Chorus member and Ramirez is a student leader in the Mentors in Violence Prevention program.
This year’s marching show theme is the Underworld and Iole feels it has a great opening.
“I feel like movement one will grasp the audience,” Iole said.
Lee said the drum majors are selected via an audition process and called both drum majors “great kids.”
Aside from home football games and contests, the band also will perform locally during the Homecoming parade on September 15 and the Oktemberfest parade on September 24.
