By Julianna Parker

Transcript Staff Writer

Half-time at the University of Oklahoma football stadium is when they shine.

Some spectators may be heading downstairs for snacks at the beginning of half time, but many stay in their seats. They know what to expect next.

The Pride of Oklahoma band members run onto the field to take up their positions. At the signal, a lone figure launches his strut across the field — back bent almost to a 90-degree angle as he marches to the music — and the crowd goes wild.

To the casual fan, this is the essence of the drum major: the signature strut. But the drum major’s job encompasses much more than that. Just ask Jason Marshall, the Norman native who grew up watching the Pride and recently was named next season’s drum major.

“I always dreamt of being a part of the Pride,” he said. “I never dreamt of being a drum major — although that was insanely cool.”

The drum major leads the entire 308-member band, conducting the performances and dictating when to perform the short spirit tunes played during football action.

Marshall is a 21-year-old instrumental education junior, the son of John and Shirley Marshall of Norman. He played the trombone in the Pride for the past three years, and was one of three section leaders for trombones last year.

He auditioned in December in front of staff and section leaders for the drum major position against 10 other Pride members. The candidates had to strut for 20 yards, march and conduct different types of music. The final three candidates auditioned at the bowl game in Glendale, Ariz., for all the Pride members, who then voted for the best.

Marshall will take over next season for senior drum major Chauvin Aaron, who said Marshall won’t be living in his shadow.

“Jason worked really hard for this position, and I think he’s gonna do a great job for preparing for the fall,” Aaron said.

Even though he doesn’t have his mace yet (that’s what they call the scepter he pumps up and down at games), he still seems to be made for the job.

“He’s always been 100 percent in it, and that’s kind of what a drum major is, and that’s what he’s been since a freshman,” said Alex Couch, a junior who’s been in Pride with Marshall for three years.

Marshall’s upbeat personality and friendliness made him an obvious pick for drum major from the beginning, Couch said.

Each person who auditioned for drum major had different strengths and weaknesses, said Laura Olson, a junior and flute section leader last year. She voted for Marshall because he was a good communicator and conductor.

“I know he definitely has the ability to teach and lead,” she said.

His strut didn’t hurt him, though.

“I liked his strut,” she said. “His strut was obviously important.”

Even though it’s not the only aspect of the job, Marshall said, the strut is still a big part of the drum major job because it gets the crowd excited.

“The most important thing is being keyed into the football games and being a real good spirit team for the (football) team,” he said.

The strut is unique to Pride drum majors. Marshall said only a few other universities have anything remotely like it. The emblem for the Pride even features a drum major mid-strut. The knowledge of the move is passed down from drum major to drum major.

“There’s no rule book about it or anything,” Marshall said. Aaron taught the drum major candidates how to do it at auditions.

“It’s very intensive in terms of just the (physical) demands of the strut,” Aaron said.

The move takes “lots of stretching,” Marshall said. The idea is to get as low to the ground as possible so that he doesn’t have to bend his back as far. He said he had to build up his torso and thigh strength to do it. He also has to wear special shoes, otherwise the tops will get torn up by dragging on the ground behind him.

Each drum major spends lots of time perfecting the strut, because most fans don’t see all the hard work that goes into the drum major position, Aaron said. They see only the strut.

“That’s the way most people remember us (drum majors),” Aaron said. “… If you were to judge me on one thing, that would be the strut.”

Julianna Parker

366-3541

jparker@normantranscript.com