One early morning as the sun rises during practice, freshman Geetha Thammana finally climbs all the way to the top of the podium to conduct Coppell High School JV Marching Band’s show, ”Picture This.” The band erupts in cheers. This was the first time she overcame her fear.

“She was nervous at first and only went halfway up,” CHS9 Band director Kate McCutcheon said. “But the day she stood at the very top, that was the moment her peers showed they were there to see her succeed, not fail.”

Just two months ago, she was not sure if she even wanted to stay in the band. Now, she is one of two drum majors leading the JV Marching Band, the third consecutive freshmen to be drum major.

Assistant band director Brandon Slovak said the goal is to balance representation from upperclassmen and freshmen. 

“This year in the JV Band, there is little more representation from the freshman class since there are fewer upperclassmen,” Slovak said. 

Thammana’s band journey began at Williams Middle Magnet School in Florida where she played French horn. Then she moved and continued her band journey at Coppell Middle School East. 

But, she struggled to fit in the band program in Coppell.

“I didn’t have that many friends in band, and honestly, I felt more myself outside of the band,” Thammana said, “I even thought about quitting.”

McCutcheon convinced her to stay, and later Thammana auditioned for drum major.

“I decided to try out because I’m the type of person who doesn’t trust other people easily,” Thammana said. “I’d rather take control of the situation than blindly trust someone else.”

The audition process for JV included an interview and a conducting tryout. Though she did not expect to be chosen, she earned the role with junior JV drum major Brian Ye. 

McCutcheon chose Thammana because she saw potential in her ability to lead the band.

“I saw a lot in her that she hadn’t realized about herself,” McCutcheon said. “She had self-doubt, but I wanted to give her the space and opportunity to rise to the occasion.”

The transition into leadership was not easy.

McCutcheon said at the beginning, Thammana struggled to gain the confidence to present herself in front of the band.

“The biggest thing she has overcome is just learning to talk to the ensemble,” McCutcheon said. “At first she was nervous, but the more time she’s had on the podium, the more she’s realized she can capture everyone’s attention.”

Senior Olivia Matthew, last year’s JV drum major, serves as Thammana’s mentor. 

“She was really unsure about a lot of things at first but it’s been a couple of weeks and I’ve seen her become more confident,” Mathew said. “It has been really awesome watching her grow both through my guidance, the directors’ guidance, as well as her own hardwork.”

Thammana said the beginning was overwhelming. 

“Honestly, I almost cried one day because I couldn’t figure out how to set up for practice,” Thammana said. “But last year’s drum major Olivia Matthew helped me, and I’ve been getting better.”

The other drum major Brian Ye agrees she has come a long way.

”She is not scared anymore. She might have been scared at first but when she got used to it,” Ye said. “She always tries to fix her problems.”

Even as a freshman, Thammana has earned respect through her willingness to go above and beyond.

“She’s always asking, ‘What else can I do?” McCutcheon said. “She balances her friendships with her responsibilities, and she sets a really good tone as a role model.”

Her role goes far beyond conducting. Thammana and Ye arrive early each day to set up equipment, prepare the field and stay late to clean up.

“People say it’s just waving your hands around,” Thammana said. “But they don’t see us running around before and after rehearsal. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”

For Thammana, stepping into the spotlight has been as surprising as it is rewarding.

“At first, I didn’t realize it was such a big deal to be a freshman drum major,” Thammana said. “But now, I feel really honored.”

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