Johnson is a Drum Major at CMU

2015 Sep 24

Matthew Johnson has taken up a leadership role for the Sound of Central Marching Band this year as a drum major. Johnson is a sophomore pre-education major from Pacific.

The drum majors are responsible for directing the band through all field and parade performances. The drum majors work closely with the director of bands to ensure the perfect execution of all performances and band activities. It is considered an honor to be in this role.

The band will play during halftime of the remaining Central home football games, including Saturday, Oct. 3 for Family Day; Saturday, Oct. 24, for CMU Homecoming; Saturday, Nov. 7, Youth Day; and Saturday, Nov. 14, Senior Day.

In addition to the football performances, the band will lead dozens of bands around the square and perform the final field production of the Swinney Conservatory of Music's annual Band Day on Saturday, Oct. 10.

This year, 64 students comprise the Central Marching Eagles Band. Roy "Skip" Vandelicht, associate professor of music and director of bands, will guide the playing and performing of the band. He joined Central fulltime in 2008 after a 31-year teaching career in the Fayette School District where he also conducted the Fayette bands.

Vandelicht, a 1977 graduate of Central Methodist University, earned a bachelor of music education. He went on to complete a master's degree, also in music education, from the University of Missouri - Columbia. He assisted with Central's band for a number of years before he retired from public school and became the director of bands at Central.

In 2013, Vandelicht was named a member of the Missouri Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame for having made a lasting impact on youth in the state through band music.

For a complete list of band members please visit the CMU website.