January 7, 2021
By: Bill Conger
Senior James Tramel was the leader of the band this marching season, but the 17-year-old student didn’t get to perform drum major duties in the typical halftime marching show. He did direct the band in the stands at home football games and in the Christmas parades.
Tramel, the son of C.J. Tramel and Deana Jones, started playing music in 6th grade and has played a variety of instruments including trumpet and drum set for jazz band. Being the band’s field commander is a different role.
“It’s really cool because it’s a lot of responsibility, but at the same time you get to see all the students grow. Instead of being just a part of one section, you’re a part of the whole band. You get to see the flutes grow, the trumpets grow, the percussion grown, [and] you get to be a part of the guard.”
“James Tramel was a positive influence and was an encouragement to me personally,” Don Whitt says. “James would give me directions on how they did different traditions in the marching band this year. I watched him grow as a leader. His leadership style is not that of being dynamic. He is soft spoken; however, the young ladies and gentlemen in the band can trust him as a leader.”
James has loved his time in the band.
“It’s a way to express yourself,” James said. “At the same time you create a lot of memories and friendships that you make through it. It’s a great way to start your career. No matter what you do music is just a great thing overall.”
Tramel’s future plans are to attend Indiana Bible College to study music education and performance along with recording industry management.