By Davin Williams
For the first time in 47 years, Norfolk State University’s Spartan Legion Marching Band has named Quiara Jackson as their first female drum major.
Director of Bands, William Beathea, says Jackson exemplifies the definition of a leader and was a great candidate for the drum major position.
“When it was time to announce the band students that had been selected to carry the torch of being Mr. Spartan and Cap 'N Soul, everyone was on the edge of their seats,” Beathea said, “There have been young women that would try out for the position, but the band would stick to the tradition of having young men for the positions.”
Beathea has been on the band staff for 22 years and has been the Director of Bands for the past 8 years. He had expressed that it was time to make a change. Jackson was qualified for this position after the Drum Major Candidate (DMC) interview portion of the tryout process, which she excelled at, Beathea said.
Beathea and Stephanie Sanders, Associate Director of Bands shared that this was a monumental moment as former drum majors, Jonathan Lee and Aaron Boone, Cap n’ Soul for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Jackson shared that when she originally joined the Spartan Legion, she had no idea she would be in this position as Cap n’ Soul.
When she was officially recognized for this position at the end of the season banquet last semester, she describes being at a loss for words and feeling like she was the only person in the room when they announced her name.
“This accomplishment will open the door for young women in the community that are in band or in the Spartan Legion, to take that leap of faith and trust the process when trying out to be a drum major,” Jackson said.
Spartan News
Spartan Legion Makes History with
first woman Cap 'N Soul
"There have been young women that would try out for the position, but the band would stick to the traditions of having young men for the positions."
- William Bethea
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Courtesy of Band Staff