Delbridge smiles with hands wide after a performance at Kelly Reeves Stadium for the Bands of America Austin Finals. “I can’t imagine my life without band,” Delbrdige said. “In 2020 it was the only thing that kept me going—playing my instrument and going into rehearsals. I really don’t want to lose that part of life. It’s kind of sad to leave [that passion] here, but I’d like to find it somewhere else even after I graduate high school.” Photo courtesy of Lauren Delbridge

Stepping up on the podium as all eyes are on her, she takes a deep breath and begins to conduct with her hands. Keeping a straight face as all her focus is on the beats of the music, she overlooks the crowd of band members that she’s grown so close to over the past few years. 

Head drum major and senior Lauren Delbridge took on the stress of leading the now five-peat state champion band this year. Since first joining the band in sixth grade, Delbridge always had a passion for music and a desire to lead. Putting in the hard work for seven years straight, Delbridge has learned some lessons along the way while also becoming part of a family that will last a lifetime.

“[My friend] was talking to me about the head drum major [position] at the time and I was really interested so I watched them during our middle school night and I was really fascinated by the stuff that they did,” Delbridge said. “As I got into high school [band], especially freshman year with COVID, I was lost, and the only people that would go up to me and make me feel welcomed [were] the drum majors, and in my eyes, they were the coolest people in the world. So right when I was a freshman, I was like ‘that is what I want to do’ and then I just kept working for it.”

Delbridge, who plays the french horn, made the top band in seventh and eighth grade as well as honor band freshman year. Sophomore year, Delbridge decided she wanted to be section leader, and strove for that title. However, a different position allowed for Delbridge to learn what it meant to lead and how to be friends with her peers while commanding them. 

“In my sophomore year I was section leader, and having that title, I really wanted to live up to it,” Delbridge said. “I was trying really, really hard to be what I thought a section leader should be. But once I made drum major, I realized that it’s more about just being the best leader I can be, instead of the generic, stereotypical, hard-core drum major. I wanted to relate to people more than command them. I knew that in order to earn their respect, that I needed to stay down to earth and be authentic.”

In addition to being head drum major, Delbridge was also this year’s homecoming queen. After being nominated, Delbridge was overwhelmed with support from all programs, not just the band. Not only was she this year’s queen, but she was also on the homecoming court last year as well. 

“This is my second year [on the homecoming court],” Delbridge said. “Junior court was awesome, you just walk out there and stand and smile. This year it was a lot more stressful because we didn’t know the winner until the game, but it was really cool to be nominated with another drum major. When they announced my name, it was very surreal. Every time I walked the field, both last year and this year, I found myself kind of emotional. It is amazing to just get the opportunity to be there. People from other programs and activities [other than band] were coming up to me and being like ‘We so voted for you guys!’”

Delbridge always knew she wanted to be a part of a band. She said that the position of drum major has opened up a lot of doors for her, and that she is so grateful for getting the opportunity to connect with people. Watching her dad partake in a band inspired her to do the same, following in his footsteps. The musical love that Delbridge has today was fostered by her father, and she said she owes it all to him for finding her people whom she’s grown to love.

“I grew up with music my whole life because my dad was a drummer,” Delbridge said. “I grew up listening to not only rock music but the kind of music that his band would play. Then I got into piano in elementary school but I found that when I got into band in sixth grade, it was really cool to see [everyone] have a common interest. The longer I went on in [band], the more I found my people. Not just the ones that also play the french horn, but just anyone [in the program]. It’s a family.”

Band consumes most of Delbridge’s time, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. With practices consuming every weekday and football games on Fridays, there is very little free time for most people in band, but especially drum majors. During her off periods, you can find her in the band hall either rehearsing, doing homework, or getting in a pre-rehearsal nap. According to Delbridge, a nap before rehearsal re-energizes her and keeps her going throughout the rest of the day.

“I can’t imagine my life without band,” Delbrdige said. “In 2020 it was the only thing that kept me going—playing my instrument and going into rehearsals. I really don’t want to lose that part of life. It’s kind of sad to leave [that passion] here, but I’d like to find it somewhere else even after I graduate high school.”