By Taylor Batterton – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Band recently performed with Foran for the annual Thanksgiving Day Game. Senior Christopher Rickard is Law’s Drum Major and led the band in their upbeat Thanksgiving show. Advocate Staff Reporter Taylor Batterton interviewed Rickard about the combined performance.

Taylor Batterton: How was the experience working with Foran’s band at the annual Thanksgiving Day Game?

Christopher Rickard: Foran’s band is always a pleasure to work with, and I compliment them for their different but nonetheless impressive group. At the Thanksgiving Day Game, the National Anthem is the only time we really worked together, and it was quickly put on out in the field, but even then we still were able to successfully combine the bands to play. Beyond that quick set up, we don’t rehearse nor work together to put on a show as their marching style differs from ours.

TB: What were some of the challenges the band faced leading up to this performance?

CR: I think the main challenges we had were in marching. “As It Was” was initially difficult to put on properly since it moves really quick, and since some moves were difficult to execute in time, we slowly would get thrown off. Staying in time with percussion took many repetitions, but we eventually got it to where we could comfortably perform it at a game. 

TB: How do you feel the overall performance went?

CR: I think the Thanksgiving performance was great. The band was able to perform well musically and I didn’t notice any major gaps in their playing. All I saw was that we played a lot of songs somewhat fast, at least to me, but we were able to roll with it and make everything sound smooth.

TB:What is one of your greatest challenges being Drum Major?

CR: Going from being a brass player where I can mess around more and just play the songs with a focus on tone which has been my main experience to having to jump into a strictly rhythmic and time-keeping position where I need to be a leading figure for the band has been a challenge, and I always have a lot of doubts on how I am doing. Nonetheless, I have signed up to play an important role for the band, so I can’t back out or refuse to adapt now.

TB: Do you enjoy being the Drum Major more than playing in the band itself?

CR: While I have found some fulfillment in being Drum Major, I honestly miss playing in the band. It’s more laid back and I am really not a percussion and rhythm person. I do what I have to to finish the job and understand its importance, but I believe there may be other people who can do the role equally to or better than me, and I think it may be more appropriate for me to just keep playing in the band and take things easier. Either way, being Drum Major has been quite an experience for me and I am grateful for the opportunity to be in the position and have learned a lot from it.