Northwest drum majors preparing for fall marching season

Please Note: Please check cutline for correct order of names in photo.

Senatobia, MS (08/22/2018) — By LaJuan Tallo, Assistant Director of Communications/PublicRelations

Brynden Foster of Senatobia and Summer Watson of Hernando have been named drum majors of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Ranger Band for 2018-2019, according to Jared Brownlee, marching band director.

Foster served as Northwest's drum major last year as a freshman and is now a sophomore studying music and theatre at Northwest. He is the son of Bert Foster of Senatobia and Kristie Foster of Senatobia. Foster is a 2017 graduate of Senatobia High School where he was drum major for three years, from his sophomore through senior years. Foster is a French horn player, who attributes his interest in the instrument to James Ungurait, the son of John Ungurait, Northwest's director of bands. "James really inspired me to pursue French horn," Foster said.

Foster's theatre career actually began at Northwest in 2008 when he was cast in a Northwest production of "Medea." Since then, he has appeared in dozens of productions in his high school and in area theatres. In addition to band and theatre, Foster was a member of the Northwest Singers and the Entertainers last year. He is the recipient of the Thomas W. O'Briant Endowed Scholarship.

Last year, Foster was seen on the Northwest stage in "The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and had a lead role in Northwest's production of "A Delicate Ship." He appeared in "Next to Normal" at the Panola Playhouse last October. This past summer, Foster participated in a two-month program at the Carey Dinner Theatre at William Carey University. He performed in two productions, "I Love a Piano," an Irving Berlin music review, and "Schoolhouse Rock: Live."

Reflecting on his first year as drum major at Northwest, Foster stated it was a big transition from Senatobia High School. He said college band was a little more relaxed, which was hard for him at first. "But it turned out great and the band was wonderful last year. This year's band is very talented and it is going to be a really good year," Foster said.

Watson, a sophomore clarinet player, is a 2017 graduate of Hernando High School. She was a part of the Hernando band program for seven years, serving as drum major her senior year of high school. Watson participated in honor bands throughout her high school career and sat as first chair clarinet in high school.

While she did not participate in marching band last year, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Singers and Entertainers during her freshman year. "I didn't think I wanted to be in marching band any more, but the band was so great last year, I really missed it. Brynden is a close friend of mine and we work well together. I am really excited about it," Watson said.

"I love being in the Fine Arts Division here. I just love what we do," she said.

Watson is the recipient of the Sledge Family Endowed Scholarship. She is taking general college classes at Northwest. She plans to attend either the University of Mississippi or Delta State University. She is the daughter of Nannette Watson and has a sister, Autumn.

Watson is looking forward to marching season. "I love the show and I know the band is going to be great. I am really excited about this marching season," Watson said.

"We are fortunate to have two outstanding drum majors this year. Brynden and Summer will represent the band and Northwest very well. The Ranger Band had 116 members in 2017 and this year boasts 160. This year's show promises to be big, bold and entertaining from start to finish," Brownlee said.

This fall the Ranger Marching Band's show features rock and roll classics such as Alice Cooper's "School's Out," "More Than a Feeling," by Boston, Bon Jovi's "Bad Medicine" and AC/DC's "Back in Black,"and Ozzy Osborne's "Crazy Train." There will also be a surprise at the end according to Brownlee.

Northwest's first home game is Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. when the Rangers take on the East Central Warriors.

For more information about the Ranger Band program, contact Brownlee at 662-562-3336 or e-mail jbrownlee@northwestms.edu

Pictured: Summer Watson of Hernando ( left) Brynden Foster of Senatobia (right) have been named drum majors for the 2018 Northwest Mississippi Community College Ranger Band. This year's halftime show,features rock and roll classics such as Alice Cooper's "School's Out," "More Than a Feeling," by Boston, Bon Jovi's "Bad Medicine" and AC/DC's "Back in Black," and Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." Northwest's first home game is Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. when the Rangers take on the East Central Warriors.(Photo by LaJuan Tallo)