High School Marching Band is a huge commitment of time and effort. From the long and hot practices during preseason camp, to equally long but cold band competitions that go late into the night in the fall, band is a way of life for its members.

This has been especially true for Tyrone senior drum major Emily Detwiler.

“Band has become my home away from home, and I love the members so much,” said Detwiler, “They have taught me lessons that classrooms do not offer. The band is a place where I am free to express myself and let go of outside life for a while.”

Tyrone Band Director David Hock appreciates Detwiler’s many contributions to the band and has high hopes for her future.

“Emily has always been a hard worker in band and been naturally talented so she has grown a lot as a musician since I started teaching at Tyrone, which was her sixth grade year. She will be missed, but I wish her well in her career pursuits and know that she will do well. I hope she continues to keep music a part of her life in some form or another,” says Hock.

In band, Detwiler has been to Districts twice and Regionals once. This season she was also named the Outstanding Performer of the Week at the Johnstown Competition this year.  

“I am proud of all of [the awards], but the one that I am most proud of would be the Outstanding Performer of the Week Award. It was rewarding to be recognized for all of the practice that I have put into band.”

Throughout her high school career, Detwiler has also won several awards outside of music, including perfect attendance her tenth and eleventh grade years, the Elks Student of the Month Award, and the Highest Academic Average Award in Calculus.

Despite having such high marks in the band Detwiler isn’t planning to pursue music professionally.

“After graduation, I am planning to go to Penn State Altoona and major in biomedical engineering,” said Detwiler.

As Detwiler goes to college for her biomedical engineering degree she will be leaving many of her close friends behind.

“I’m excited for her to leave because she is going to go out and live her life and continue to grow as a person, and I understand that we all have to go our separate ways eventually,” said fellow band member Paige Webster, “I’m happy that she was able to know what path to go down as not a lot of people can do that, and on keeping in touch with her I plan to keep in touch with her for as long as I can, she has been a good friend to me and I really appreciate that.”

Fellow band member Cliff Roberts will miss her next year because Detwiler is always there to help her friends.

“I am going to miss her because she is one of my close friends and she has always been there for her friends when they were having a bad day, “says Clifford Roberts.

Band member Laci Daniel will miss Detwiler’s leadership.

“Next year when she is not in school or marching band, I feel like it’s going to be a major change from what it used to be. I will miss her and all of the joy that she brings,” said Laci Daniel.

As for Detwiler, she will miss the people of Tyrone High School the most.

“The teachers and my friends have made high school so memorable for me,” said Detwiler.