Student of the Week: Balaji conducting band to success

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Angelina Liu

Coppell junior Ananya Balaji directs the band at the Coppell vs. Flower Mound Marcus football game at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 7. Balaji has been in band for six years and was named a drum major for the 2022-2023 school year.

With her arms swinging to and fro, she holds a steady tempo as the melodic tunes pass through each instrument to form the music that floats through the stands. 

Coppell High School junior Ananya Balaji can be spotted standing tall on the pedestal, directing her fellow band members. Now in her sixth year of band, having started her musical journey in sixth grade, Balaji has taken on the role as the new drum major for the 2022-23 school year. 

What has driven you to continue your band career?

I really like the environment in band. You’re all working towards the same goal. It’s really amazing. It is so much time and effort, but it has always paid off.

Why did you apply to become a drum major?

I wanted to feel the band from a different perspective because I’ve been marching for two years. I wanted to give it a shot. It really appealed to me that you could represent something as big as our band organization.

Who inspired you to become a drum major?

Last year our head drum major was Wes Booker, and he really inspired me because even though there were hard rehearsals where we didn’t get as much done because of complications, he always had a smile on his face and he was always happy. Even if something went wrong, he told the band “it’s OK, we have to move on.” The one person that really helped me through the audition process to become a drum major was [senior drum major] Troy Angulo. He helped me understand how to read music from the director’s point of view and how to conduct it. He taught me the leadership aspects of it, like how to look at it from a different perspective because everyone has a side.

What are some of the biggest challenges as a drum major?

Having to stay after rehearsal for such a long time because everyone gets out earlier. We have to make sure that everything runs properly and it’s really stressful because whatever happens to the band, it all depends on you because you have to be in time. If you’re not in time, the whole band isn’t going to be on time. 

You also have to work really well with other drum majors. It’s the four of us working together for the band. If you’re not working well with them, it’s a big issue. It’s cooperation, teamwork, and it’s stressful at times because something is always going to go wrong. You can’t have everything perfect for competitions, rehearsals, and it’s a lot of pressure on you. But even if it’s a lot of pressure, you have to take it lightly and understand that if you pressurize yourself and stress yourself out, you’re just going to do worse. 

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned as a drum major?

It’s really about perspective. No matter what happens, you just have to accept that you did your best. Even if it’s a high pressure situation, you can’t let the pressure get to you. You just have to stay relaxed the whole time, and do what you’re doing.

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