Drumline Dynamics: Students Share Perspectives on Gender Challenges

In high school marching band, the drumline is often seen as the heartbeat of the ensemble—loud, confident, and full of personality, but for some students, being part of this section comes with unique challenges tied to gender dynamics.

Sophomore Raigen Stucki described the difficulty of collaborating with male peers, noting that age and maturity play a role in how the group functions.

“The hardest part about working with guys is they are extremely awkward because they’re high schoolers,” Stucki said.

Sophomore Ella Blakeley added that the culture within the section can sometimes feel dominated by ego, especially among male members.

“They are all super egotistical because ‘they are so cool and they play drums,’” Blakeley said.

Stucki also observed that many of the interpersonal issues within the group tend to stem from male members, suggesting a pattern that affects the overall dynamic.

“There is definitely more problems caused by the guys,” Stucki said.

Blakeley pointed to leadership and organizational structure as contributing factors, expressing concern about how these elements shape the environment.

“It’s a sexist workplace especially because of people that run the organization,” Blakeley said.