On April 12, Keith Matthews, director of the Legacy band, announced the new section leaders for the 2025-26 school year bands; this year there are a total of 22 new section leaders. 

Flute – * Cesar Hernandez, Ali Watson

Clarinet – *Katherine Wertenberger, Emely Grave

Bass clarinet – *Mason Ashcraft

Saxophone – *Kayla Fisher, Travis Martin

Trumpet – *Nash Newton, Jack Hughes, Donovan Covington

Mellophone– *Seth Patterson, Gavin Honeycutt

Baritone – *De’Siana Riley, Luis Aguilera

Euphonium – *Erick Orellana

Tuba –* Landen Wilson, Cameron Crowe

Battery leadership – *Claire Matthews ( snare), *Riley Miller (tenor), *Alex Lofton (bass)

Percussion ensemble captain – *Andrew Schlesier 

Front ensemble leadership – Elijah Atkinson

 *– Denotes section captain

Matthews evaluates students throughout the year to determine if they would be a good fit for section leader.

“Every student is observed as soon as they walk in the building their sophomore year looking for leadership qualities. We continue to observe their behavior, work ethic [and] musical abilities throughout the year,”  Matthews said. “As directors, we evaluate their answers and take into account our observations. New section leaders are chosen from students interested.Usually seniors with multiple years of marching band experience, but not always.”

Junior Nash Newton is the new trumpet section leader alongside juniors Jake Hughes and Donivan Covington. As the new trumpet section leader, Newton has to make sure that everyone has what they need for competitions as well as making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to. 

“I am excited. I think it’s going to be hard work, but I am excited,” Newton said. “I think it’s going to be a good season.” 

Junior Emely Grave is the new clarinet section leader alongside Junior Katherine Wertenberger. Grave has been doing band for five years and as she steps into this new role next year, she has to make sure that her section understands what is happening.

“One of our responsibilities is to make sure that our section is able to keep up with everything that we’re learning, whether that’s music or that’s outside [of class] and also just discipline,” Grave said.

Junior Erick Orellana has been in the band for five years and is the new section leader for the euphoniums. As Orellana enters this leadership position, he is excited that he will be able to help others and be someone who is able to direct others. 

“I’ve always wanted to be in that leadership role, not just in [band], but also other things; it feels good to be part of that leadership,” Orellane said. “Since I’m gonna be a senior, I’m definitely gonna be held to a higher standard than other section leaders and, obviously, to making sure everyone could put good music and everyone could march.”