Four student leaders are ready to keep the beat, watch the field and guide the Pure Gold Band through a new season.
On a summer morning at Wylie High School, the new drum majors looked ready for duty.
It was Tropical Spirit Day, and seniors Luke Ammons, Asher Pitcock and Melaina Estrada, along with junior Khloe Fickes, had traded the traditional drum major look for lifeguard costumes and whistles. Behind them, the tall conducting towers rose above the new practice field like lifeguard stands overlooking a very large, very musical swimming pool.
Welcome to Bandwatch.
There may not be any slow-motion running, but the job still requires keeping a close eye on everyone, responding quickly and helping more than 200 band members move safely in the same direction.
The drum majors were preparing on a new practice field made possible through the voter-approved 2023 Wylie ISD Bond. Nearby, the band hall is being expanded to approximately twice its former size, with renovations expected to be completed this fall.
The facilities may be new, but the mission remains the same: support the band, set the example and be ready when someone needs help.
Luke Ammons
Grade: Senior
Instrument: Trumpet
Years in band: Seven
Favorite memory: The finals performance of “City Lights” during his sophomore year
Game-night favorite: “Dark Force,” played as loudly as possible
Band bag essential: His “baby metronome”
Leadership style: Kind and encouraging
What fans may not see: Drum majors arrive early to set up speakers, equipment and other performance logistics
Most-heard rehearsal phrase: “One more”
Lesson from Band Director: How to communicate, lead and grow as a person
Asher Pitcock
Grade: Senior
Instrument: Trombone
Years in band: Seven
Pregame soundtrack: AC/DC or Metallica
Preferred snack: Whatever is free
Band bag essential: Hand warmers
Most-used rehearsal phrase: “For the sake of time”
Favorite responsibility: Logistics, including speakers and equipment
Goal for the year: Learn as many of the band’s 200-plus names as possible
Best leadership advice: “Be there for everyone.”
Hidden talent: He works with a beekeeper and designed a device to help safely close and move beehives
Khloe Fickes
Grade: Junior
Instrument: Clarinet
Band beginning: She started in seventh grade after moving from another district
Favorite memories: Football games, bus rides and laughing with friends
Band bag essential: Sunglasses
Leadership energy: Enthusiastic and authentic
Best advice: Be yourself because younger students are watching
Favorite part of Wylie: The sense of community, especially within the band
Podium goal: To feel pride in what the band has accomplished and joy in the friendships they have built
Lesson from Band Director: Consistency and hard work matter
Melaina Estrada
Grade: Senior
Instrument: Flute
Years in band: Seven
Favorite band experience: Meeting students from other bands
After-game tradition: Eating out with friends
Preferred snack: Gummy clusters
Band bag essential: Aquaphor, a small but important defense against dry lips during long rehearsals in the West Texas sun and wind
Most-heard summer phrase: “It’s hot.”
Leadership approach: Be yourself, have fun and remember that every band member is equally valued
Podium challenge: Getting comfortable with the height
What she hopes to feel: Pride when she looks across the field and sees the band she helped lead
By fall, the lifeguard costumes will be replaced by uniforms, and the whistles will signal something more serious than Tropical Spirit Day.
Luke, Asher, Khloe and Melaina will climb their towers, scan the field and help guide the Pure Gold Band through every rehearsal, halftime performance and unexpected moment.
Because on Bandwatch, leadership is not about standing above everyone else. It is about watching out for the people below, helping them succeed and making sure no Bulldog gets left behind.
