Bingham band: Anders Evensen profile

In early January, I interviewed Anders Evensen, who was the senior drum major for the Bingham High School (Utah) marching band. Here is the article about him that will appear in the Bingham 2012 band yearbook.

Anders Evensen:

 
His ability to keep Bingham in tempo
boosted the band closer to the top

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            Anders Evensen had a knack – or a rare ability – that was discovered early in the Bingham Marching Band’s 2012 season.

            After years of playing the clarinet, Evensen thought the drum major “looked pretty cool” and, late in his sophomore year, decided to pursue that spot. Fortunately, for the first time, Bingham decided it needed two drum majors in his class, and he and Spencer Lepley were selected.
            “We went to three because of the size of the band, and they all did well,” said band director Darin Graber.
            Evensen became the senior drum major this year, but Graber said “he knew his stuff and did a great job when we needed him. He was there and prepared.”
            “The best part was learning that the band director trusts you a lot,” said Evensen. “It was really a great leadership experience for me. You don’t get something like that often … to be in charge of 130 people.
            “I got to know a bunch of people and they got to know me,” he added. “I didn’t miss playing an instrument because I was playing in the symphony orchestra and the wind symphony. I wouldn’t trade it.”
            During practice and Bingham’s performances, Evensen had a reserved seat on a ladder overlooking the field. His job was to memorize the music, develop the tempo for the show and get everyone into a rhythm. He also had to always be composed, regardless of how he felt.
            “It’s hard to fit into words,” he said. “You have to show discipline and be an example. It’s just what we do.”
            Evensen is the second youngest of five children. Both of his parents encouraged their children to get involved in music. Evensen chose the clarinet because his older sister played it. Besides music, Evensen is also involved in Bingham’s Academic Decathlon team and plays recreational league soccer.
            He said his best memory of the marching band season was how Bingham finished in the Bands of America competition. He also had recalled some of the small, but fun moments, the team had getting there.
            * - “In my junior year, somehow my ladder was broken. I had to stand on it very carefully and it was the scariest show of my life.”
            * - “There also one practice where we had sent off all the (band) equipment practice off with the trailer and we didn’t have any equipment. It was a weird practice.”
            Evensen said that, after graduation, he planned to play in Salt Lake Community band in various parades during the summer and then attend college.