Behind the Batons

The 2014 majorette line is made up of Alyssa Crump (Captain,) Ariana Williamson (Captain,) Tara Schuster, Amber Dressel, Imani McQueen, and Kylie Mowry. Erianne Raib is the 2014 majorette advisor and she has been in this position since 2006. She is responsible for choreographing all of the routines, from sideline dances to halftime performances. Becoming a majorette is not as easy as it seems. Each of the girls listed above have been taking baton and dance classes from a young age. Most of the girls dance at Steppin’ Out Dance Center located in Niles, OH.

Before the girls even try out, there is a list a requirements they have to meet such as a two spin, horizontal one spin, high toss bow, double pirouette, high kicks, and many more. There are 3 days of clinics where the girls will learn a baton routine, dance routine, and marching pattern. Then, there is a tryout where they will perform what they learned at clinics for a panel of judges.

The next step after try outs is summer practices. The team started out in July with majorette boot camp. This is an intense day camp where they work out and learn their new routines for the upcoming season. Captain Alyssa Crump said, “Majorette boot camp is very hard and stressful, but in the end it makes the [majorette] line closer.” After boot camp, the majorettes get a week off, then band week starts. At band week, the whole band gathers together to start learning the music and marching drills for their halftime show. The majorettes use this time to finish up any routines left. Next is band camp. This year, band camp was held at Thiel College. It is five days of non-stop band practice. The band eats, practices, eats, and practices again. The majorettes have a lot of bonding time at band camp. They exchange secret dancer gifts, have cranium parties, and create themes for each day! By the end of band camp, the entire show is complete. Then, the whole band has night practices twice a week until our first band night.

All of the band’s hard work gets put to the test on band nights. The band attended Howland Band Night, Warren Harding Band Night, Hubbard Band Night, and our very own Liberty Band Night. Liberty Band Night is by far the majorette’s favorite. The girls host Lil Miss Majorette Camp the week of the Liberty Band Night. The little girls that attend the camp get to be a majorette for the Liberty Band Night. The little majorettes get to march in front of the band alongside the majorettes and perform pregame. Also, they can stay and watch the majorettes on the track. The majorettes love to have the little ones look up to them. Being a majorette myself, I know that there is nothing better than the look in a child’s eyes when they watch you perform. They are always so amazed by the majorettes.

“The majorettes are more than just a team, we are sisters.” Captain Ariana Williamson tells us. The majorettes love what they do and they love each other. It makes the sport so much more fun when everyone gets along. Although being a majorette can be difficult, all the pain and practice is all worth is when you hear the cheers of a crowd during a successful show.