First Female Drum Major at USC Joining 2019 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band

New beginnings are coming to the USC Trojan Marching Band as the first female drum major for the band has been named. India Anderson, a tuba player who will be a junior in 2019-2020, is thrilled for the opportunity.

In an interview with KABC-TV Los Angeles, Anderson said that it’s “something I really wanted, I really love being a part of this band, and doing all that I can for it.” She added that no woman has ever “stabbed the field before,” so she thinks the moment will be really great.

Outgoing Drum Major Chris Rick said that Anderson is “certainly the right pick,” adding “we do the process based on who deserves the job, and she went out there and proved in the final audition round that the band felt that she was most fit to be there and do the position.”

USC Band Director Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, who is entering his 50th and final year as band director, said he was proud of the band’s decision. In 1971, Bartner brought women into the band for the first time since World War II.

“I’m happy that gender was not an issue in the selection of the candidate,” Bartner told USC’s Annenberg Media. “I give the band a lot of credit. It was the students’ decision and their selection was based on a majority vote.”

Anderson was also asked as to why it took so long to have a woman lead the band. She said that it was just statistics because not many women have tried out for the drum major position, so it was about time.

In addition to her upcoming duties as drum major for the 2019-2020 academic year, Anderson is also focused on a very busy upcoming summer as she has been selected to be a part of the 2019 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band. She will also be preparing herself and the band for the first home game next fall as USC hosts Fresno State on August 31.

Stay tuned to DAPS MAGIC throughout the summer for photos and videos of the 2019 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band.

This post was written by Roger (@rgrrabbit1). Thank you for your contribution!


Comments

One response to “First Female Drum Major at USC Joining 2019 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band”

  1. Suzanna Avatar
    Suzanna

    Excited for Ms. Anderson, but seriously USC?! It’s taken till 2019??

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