Momo Hoshi Hoping To Set High Standard
Momo Hoshi, a 16-year-old junior at Del Norte High School, is the first Drum Major ever for the Del Norte Nighthawk Marching Band. Daughter of Takeo and Tamaki Hoshi, she plays oboe and sousaphone – and also participates on the school tennis team. She gives 92127 Magazine readers some insight into her responsibilities as Drum Major and observations about the music program:
92127 Magazine: What are your responsibilities as Drum Major?
Hoshi: My main job as Drum Major is to conduct the band during field shows. However, this is only the surface of the Drum Major’s jobs. I also have to constantly lead and organize the band. This includes everything from big roles — such as giving out instructions to the band, making sure they get things done efficiently, and enforcing discipline — to smaller roles, such as leading stretches in class and helping individual members improve their marching technique.
92127 Magazine: What is the most rewarding part about being a Drum Major?
Hoshi: One of the aspects that I find most rewarding about being a Drum Major is the bonds that I make with everybody in the band. Before, when I was playing oboe or sousaphone as part of the band, I only really got to know people in my instrumental section. Now that I am a Drum Major, I have opportunities to talk to and communicate with everybody in the band and Color Guard, both inside and outside of class. Also, I think this experience is extremely valuable to me as a person. It teaches me how to be a good leader: how to be confident, but not arrogant; strict, but not angry, etc. I think that these experiences now will help me in many aspects of my life in the future, especially when it comes to communication and relations with the people around me.
92127 Magazine: What is the most challenging part about being a Drum Major?
Hoshi: For me, the most challenging part about being a Drum Major at Del Norte High School is the fact that I am the first ever Drum Major at the school. This means that I have no role model or precedent already set for me. Instead of following in the footsteps of past Drum Majors, I have to pave my own road. I also feel the pressure to set a phenomenal example, to set the standard high for future Del Norte Drum Majors. Another challenge I feel is the whole idea of leadership. Although I have always been involved in leadership programs, such as WEB (Welcome Every Body, a middle school group to welcome 6th graders to the school) and PLUS (Peer Leaders Uniting Students, an organization that I am currently involved in at the high school), being a Drum Major was a whole new concept.
‘Instead of following in the footsteps of past Drum Majors, I have to pave my own road. I also feel the pressure to set a phenomenal example, to set the standard high for future Del Norte Drum Majors.’ - MOMO HOSHI, Del Norte Nighhawk Marching Band Drum Major
Hoshi: I started music in 5th Grade band with the clarinet. I started learning oboe in 6th Grade, and I still absolutely love to play the oboe to this day. I have been taking oboe lessons with Electra Reed since 9th Grade. For the Fall 2010 Marching Season — Del Norte High School’s first time ever having a marching band — I played the sousaphone. I had actually wanted to play sousaphone ever since I was in middle school and saw high school students carrying those large instruments. Although it was tough for me as a woodwind player to learn how to play a brass instrument, it was a great experience for me and it expanded my musical horizons.
92127 Magazine: Why is music education in public schools important?
Hoshi: I think music education in public schools is incredibly important because being a part of the music program truly enriches your life. I have heard about studies that show that students that study music in one way or another are more likely to be successful in other aspects of school. That is one of my reasons for thinking music education is vital. Another reason is that being part of programs such as the marching band or Color Guard can help you become a better person, too. These programs really require great dedication, self-discipline, good communication skills, thoughtful time-management, responsibility, organization, and great moral conduct.
92127 Magazine: What are your plans after high school?
Hoshi: I am planning to go to college, but I have not decided what subjects I would like to take. All I know is that I want to be involved with music at all times in one way or another, and that I want to be connected to many people.
