Finding confidence, embracing leadership, and discovering the light within.
When you watch the Westbrook High School Marching Band perform, there's one student standing above the rest. From her podium, junior Christ-Vie Mavungu helps guide the band through every note, movement, and moment of their show. But being Drum Major is about much more than conducting. It's about leadership, confidence, teamwork, and learning a few things about yourself along the way.
We asked Christ-Vie to share a little about her musical journey, what this year's show means to her, and what she's learned from leading the band. Her answers are full of thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and a little humor!
Tell us a little about yourself. What grade are you in, what instruments do you play, and what music groups are you involved in?
Hello! My name is Christ-Vie Mavungu, and I'm the Drum Major for the Westbrook High School Marching Band. I'm currently in my junior year of high school, and so far it's been really fun! I play bass clarinet, bari sax, ukulele, and regular clarinet. I also play a little bit of percussion, just a tiny, tiny, itty-bitty bit! I'm involved in quite a few music groups at Westbrook, including Chamber Singers, Jazz Band, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Jazz Choir. Music is a big part of my life, and I love being involved in so many different groups.
How long have you been part of marching band, and what made you want to become Drum Major?
I started marching band in eighth grade, and at first, it was scary, daunting, and confusing! But I learned a lot throughout my first season, and I think I've become a much better marcher since then. What made me want to become Drum Major was a strong desire to be someone bigger than I had ever dreamed of being. I wanted to show the world that I could be more than just a regular band kid. I could be a strong, passionate leader. I wanted to prove myself and challenge myself to become something more.
What does being Drum Major mean to you beyond conducting the band?
Over time, I've learned that being Drum Major is less about conducting or being a metronome and more about setting an example for the band. It's about being a leader that other students can look up to, helping everyone stay focused, and being a bridge between the staff and the marchers. There's a lot of responsibility that comes with the role, and it takes more than just knowing how to conduct. You have to understand the people you're leading, listen to them, and help keep everyone working toward the same goal.
This year's show is What Do You See? What does the show mean to you personally, and what do you hope the audience takes away from it?
I think the theme of this year's show, What Do You See?, is amazing! For me, I interpret it as looking at yourself and recognizing that how you see yourself is more important than how other people see you. When you look within yourself, you should see what YOU see, rather than focusing on all the different viewpoints and opinions that others might have about you. How you see yourself should matter more, and I think that's something we should all remember. I also like to think of this show as a sequel to The Light Within. What do you see? You should see the light within! I think that's really cool, and I love the connection between the two shows. I hope the audience has picked up on that message. It's right there in front of them, especially with all the mirrors!
What has been the most rewarding part of leading the band this season?
The best part of leading a band, or really leading in general, is seeing the improvement and engagement of everyone you're leading. It's really cool to compare the show from the beginning of band camp to where we are now. There have been so many improvements and changes that have made the show better, and you can also see how much the individual marchers have improved throughout the season. Watching everyone grow, become more confident, and get better at what they're doing is really rewarding. It's especially cool to see all of that happening when I'm standing up on the podium.
What has been the biggest challenge — or biggest surprise — about being Drum Major?
The biggest challenge has definitely been getting everyone involved and focused. As a Drum Major, it's hard to manage a large group of young teenagers because there are so many different personalities! Everyone is different, and sometimes getting everyone on the same page takes a lot of work. But I think my crew, the Leadership Council, has been doing a good job helping manage those challenges and keeping things moving in the right direction. I've learned that leadership takes a lot of patience, communication, and teamwork. You can't do everything on your own, and having other student leaders working alongside you makes a big difference.
When you're standing on the podium and look out at the entire band, what goes through your mind?
The first thing that used to come to mind was, "Oh my gosh, I'm so scared! What if I mess up?" I'm naturally a very quiet person, so becoming Drum Major was a big change for me. It was hard to change my mindset from worrying about whether I would mess up to thinking, "Okay, I hope THEY don't mess up!" It's actually really interesting and fun to be able to call people out and tell them to be quiet when they need to be. There's also this feeling of tremendous power in the palm of your hands, literally! I can almost do whatever I want, except make them run laps. It's really fun! Although I do think they need to run laps sometimes!
What advice would you give to a younger student who might want to become Drum Major someday?
For anyone who wants to become Drum Major in the future, I would say that you have to practice really, really hard
and put your whole heart into performing, not just for the audience, but for the band as well. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, make mistakes, and learn from them. You have to practice being a fool before you become a pro! Even as Drum Major, you're still going to make mistakes. You might say the wrong thing or do something incorrectly, but as long as you keep going and maintain your composure, you'll be okay. I'm really thankful to the staff members who gave me the opportunity to take on this role, and I've made sure to put my heart, soul, and mind into doing my best. That includes listening to the students, hearing their concerns, and keeping the promises I made when I became Drum Major. I love listening to advice, and I think that's one of the most important things any leader can do. Listening and taking advice is the best way you can grow, not just as a Drum Major, but in general.
Leading with Heart
From a nervous eighth grader finding her place in marching band to a junior leading the entire ensemble, Christ-Vie's journey is a wonderful reminder of how much students can grow through music. Her experience shows that leadership isn't about being perfect or having all the answers. It's about showing up, working hard, listening to others, and finding the confidence to take on something that once seemed impossible.
We're proud to have Christ-Vie leading the Westbrook High School Marching Band this season, and we're grateful for the heart, humor, and dedication she brings to the podium!
