Marching band and drum majoring runs in the family for the Petersons of Clarkston.
Mike Peterson was in Clarkston High School Marching Band from 1983-1985 and led it as one of three drum majors.
Now, his daughter Madeline Peterson is on the marching band as drum major, too.
‘It’s very surreal,? said Mike, who played trumpet as a high schooler and is now choral director for Clarkston High School and Clarkston Junior High. ‘It’s a lot of fun watching her, seeing someone else do what I did way back when.?
‘It’s cool to see her conduct,? said Kate Peterson, Michael’s wife and Madeline’s mother.
‘I thought it would be fun to be drum major, something new,? Madeline said.
Her audition included conducting a piece of music and writing an essay. She wrote about her leadership at church and her ability to relate with fellow band members.
‘When she said she would audition, I was surprised,? Kate said. ‘She was quiet at the time. Marching band has been good for her.?
‘It got me out of my comfort zone,? Madeline said.
Mike wanted to a music director most of his life, and as a sixth grader was given opportunities to direct warm ups and scales.
‘I started early,? he said.
He tried out for drum major at Clarkston High at the suggestion of his band director.
‘He saw a potential for leadership,? he said.
‘I didn’t think I was going to do marching band, but my parents were in it and they talked about how fun it was,? said Madeline, who wants to be an elementary teacher.
‘It’s a great way to meet friends,? Kate said.
‘Yes it was,? said Madeline, senior, who joined the band as a sophomore playing clarinet.
Mike and Kate met at Central Michigan University, where he was a drum major along with Mike Lewis, Clarkston High School marching band director.
‘It’s really neat to see this come full circle, to see them working together,? Kate said.
One of the band’s shows during Mike’s time featured music from ‘West Side Story.? This year, the band is performing orchestral work from ‘Romeo and Juliet,? composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
‘It’s a big parallel,? Mike said.
‘It’s challenging music. I love that,? Kate said.
‘The music is a lot darker,? said Madeline, whose goal this year is to make state finals at Ford Field.
The band’s corps style hasn’t changed over the years, but it has become more competitive, Mike said.
‘They compete every weekend until November,? he said. ‘They’re a better caliber of musicians.?
‘It’s hard to believe these are high school students,? Kate said. ‘They’re very talented.?
Madeline is one of three drum majors, along with seniors Matthew Covert and Stephanie Sowers.