At Salem Community High School, the marching band isn’t just about halftime shows or holiday concerts. For students like Jordyn Carter, Elara Brubaker, and Zoey Heiple, the band has become a stage for friendship, self-expression, and lessons that extend far beyond music.

Jordyn, a junior, is stepping into her first year as drum major after years of playing the flute. It’s a role that combines leadership and performance. “You stand on the podium, conduct the band, and keep time,” she explained. “At first, it’s very numerical. But once you get comfortable, you add dramatic flair. It becomes both functional and ceremonial.” The job requires poise and precision, but also showmanship—a balance that Jordyn has embraced.

Precision is a common theme among these musicians. Jordyn, who also dances, connects her pursuit of perfection in both arenas. “I want it to be perfect when I’m dancing, and I do the same thing in band. If I don’t get it right, I practice until I do.” Her perspective is echoed by Elara, a trumpet player, who admits she struggles with the same instinct in her artwork. “If I’m drawing something, it has to be perfect,” she said with a laugh.

For Zoey, percussion is the heartbeat of her high school experience. She began on clarinet but shifted to piano and marimba in the front ensemble, a change that allowed her to carry her piano skills into marching season. “Front ensemble isn’t always the metronome like the drumline, but in some shows we have to keep things together. It’s about listening, adjusting, and making sure the group stays in time.”

But ask any of them, and they’ll tell you the real gift of music isn’t just technical growth—it’s the sense of belonging. “Band is like a big family,” Jordyn said. “When you come in nervous and don’t know who you’ll hang out with, you find friends you never expected. I found my best friend in band. I would have never talked to her otherwise.”

Elara shares that sentiment. “The people I’ve met in band are friends I wouldn’t have known without it. It’s been so fun and so meaningful—I think everyone should try it.” Zoey agrees, pointing to competitions as the moments that stick with her most. “Those are the core memories. They stay with you forever.”

The three students are quick to point out that their director, Mr. Randolph, plays a pivotal role in that sense of inclusivity. “He makes sure everybody has a place,” Jordyn said. “You don’t feel left out.”

Beyond friendships, the band offers a lens into the future. Jordyn hopes to become an elementary teacher, while Zoey has considered fields as varied as marine science and architecture. Elara has been exploring music in new ways with her father, recording songs together. 

Though their paths are still unfolding, they each credit music with giving them opportunities to discover what makes them feel alive.

“Band is more than practice and performance,” Jordyn reflected. “It’s about finding something you enjoy, something that makes you want to show up every day. That’s the kind of feeling you’ll chase later in life, whether it’s in your career or your community.”

At Salem Community High School, the band is proof that music education matters—not just because it teaches notes and rhythms, but because it helps young people discover themselves, their friends, and their place in the world.