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August 28, 2006
Still marching with the band
- Editor's Note: Three years ago the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences (LAS) chronicled Ted Brimeyer's first days as a freshman
member of the Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band on the
Iowa State University's web site.
As he enters his senior year, LAS revisits Brimeyer, who is now one of three
drum majors in the marching band.
Look back at Brimeyer's first days in marching band at www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/brimeyer1103.shtml
A way of life
"Life would be a lot easier without marching band," Ted Brimeyer says. "But
my life would be completely different.
"Never for a moment did I consider not staying with the band."
As a kid growing up in Ames, Brimeyer would attend Iowa State Cyclone home
football games at Jack Trice Stadium. But it wasn't just football that attracted
him to the sport.
"I think I said this three years ago," he said. "I had been
to several home games and thought the marching band was a cool thing. It
definitely made an impression on me."
There were many reasons why Brimeyer decided to stay at home in Ames to
go to college. But the only other school he considered was a small private
college that didn't have a marching band.
And after spending four years in the band at Ames High School, he knew he
wanted to continue.
"I knew I wanted to be a vocal music major, but being in the marching
band was one of the reasons why I came to Iowa State," Brimeyer said.
During his first two years in the ensemble he was a member of the mellophone
section. The last two years he has put aside his instrument and has taken
on the responsibilities as one of the group's three drum majors.
Regardless of his role with the band, Brimeyer says marching band is a huge
commitment.
"A lot of work. A ton of time. Lots of conflicts. I don't think there's
been a year when I haven't had a class conflict. All of those are especially
true about marching band," he said. "But the scope of things you're
responsible for changes when you become a drum major.
"As a member of the band everyone has a comfort zone in their section
and you become really close to them. But you have to leave that family behind
in a certain way when you become a drum major."
Tomorrow: Life as a drum major.
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