The band is lined up, the crowd is roaring, a baton goes into the air, all legs rise in alignment, and out comes the drum major. As he strides, the crowd roars and waits for him to blow his whistle and mark the field with his traditional backbend.
That person is Donavan Baker, a senior electronic engineering major, with a minor in computer science. He was hand chosen to lead the “baddest” band, the Southern University “Human Jukebox.”
To be a drum major you “Must be musically strong, have rhythm, a good personality and be good looking,” said Dr. Isaac “Doc” Greggs, band director. Academics are also a factor. According to Greggs, “Baker gets his academics straight.”
There are no tryouts to become drum major; you are hand picked because of your marching style, while in the band.
Baker exemplifies the characteristics of being a good musician and had essential leadership qualities “He was the only choice,” said Greggs.
“I thought they were playing around at first. After he told me (that I was chosen to be drum major), I began to take it seriously,” said Baker, a Baton Rouge native.
When chosen, Baker began to practice everyday except Sunday. ” I had to learn whistle commands, to march differently and do back bends,” said Baker.
To train for his new position Baker ran stadium laps, lifted weights and marched steadily up and down the field.
He didn’t struggle alone. He had the constant support of his best friend and practicing partner, band member Stephen George, a senior business management major from Baton Rouge. “I was extremely pleased as his best friend, for him to take on a leadership role as drum major, because he is a very positive guy with a lot of leadership qualities,” said George.
Baker also received praise from Xavier “Dallas” Gerald, the previous drum major. ” I love him, and I would not have had it any other way, than putting Donovan Baker as the drum major,” said Dallas.
Baker developed a love for music in the sixth grade, when he learned to play the trumpet.
“My brother played the trumpet, and my sister played the flute. I guess I just fell in their footsteps,” said Baker.
Baker continued playing the trumpet as a member of the Glen Oaks High School band during his four years there.
Upon graduation from high school, Baker tried out for the SU marching band and received a partial scholarship to play the trumpet.
There are many pressures while in the limelight for the drum major. “There is way more pressure at halftime. If you don’t live up to expectations, they will talk about you,” said Baker.
Band members practice the same routine for a week to prepare for games, however preparation for the drum major is different.
“I tried to plan my routine before and it looked stupid. Now I do it right before I get on the field, because if you study too long, you study wrong,” said Baker.
Being the drum major you have to be a leader. “I watch what I do all the time,” said Baker. According to Baker, the SU Jukebox is a family. “You have to teach the freshman that school is more important and you must handle your priorities,” said Baker.
Religion is also a major part of Baker’s life. On the 25th of September 2002, Baker turned his life around at the High Time Evangelistic Center in Baker. Baker believes through his highly visible position he will influence others to be Christians.
Baker keeps a prayerful mind on and off the field. Every game since he has become drum major, he and his best friend Stephen have said a prayer together before they take the field.
His success lead to him earning a spot on the cover of the Black College Quarterly Magazine in the summer 2003 issue. Baker and other college drum majors were featured in the article “Let the Battle of the Bands Begin.”
“Donovan is a leader that has a keen act for getting the job done. He has strong musicianship and epitomizes the highest student excellence,” said Lawrence Jackson, associate director of band. “Under his direction the band will continue to perform at a high standard of excellence.”
