12 Things You Need to Know About OU's First Female Drum Major

To Julie, the band's role in the university community is to encourage and unify all Sooners—not just the football team. Making special appearances and playing on the sidelines of several events, the band symbolizes steadfast support, and now she gets to encourage that effort as the Pride of Oklahoma's Drum Major.

The audition process requires interviews, conducting stand tunes, learning the strut, and more. Band leadership narrows down the pool of applicants before the band gets the final say in a vote. "The process is great because I know I have the support of my peers," Julie said.

Despite her family's past at OU, Julie didn't know she wanted to be a Sooner until she visited campus. When she met her soon-to-be band director, she knew she was Sooner bound. Julie is currently a sophomore music education major and served as a trumpet Squad Leader during the 2016 season.

The stadium is the mecca for energy, excitement, and competition on game day. It's where tons of Sooner memories are made. Plus it has killer views. "If you go all the way to the top you can see all the way to OKC. It is so beautiful up there," she said.

He's the snare player on the left during the National Anthem. How did Julie feel about her dad playing next to Luke Bryan on stage? "I was screaming in the living room," she said.

Women have tried out for the role before. It was less common, but Julie said the band in no way discouraged it. Julie just happened to be the first woman chosen, and she's pumped for the opportunity.

"I knew that if I was qualified, if I was the best option, I would get it for who I am. Not what I am," she said. Music is a male dominated career-especially in the position of band director. She said she believes her peers picked her, not because they wanted a female drum major, but because they thought she would do the job well.

Think about it. When you're cheering on the team in the student section and things aren't going your way, you can peace out. If the weather is bad, you can grumble all the way home. But not the band. They stay and play through heat, rain, snow, and blowouts. And the drum major is there to be an example and encourage them to the very last play.

No, battling gender norms wasn't the hardest part for Julie. It was learning the traditional Pride of Oklahoma Drum Major strut. "It's the most awkward thing in the world." Her advice- rep it as many times as possible.

"At the very end of the game, after the Pride has done the post game concert, we sing the chant. The stadium is almost completely empty, and there is just this overwhelming feeling of tradition and family. It reminds you that there really is only one Oklahoma, and that we are all one family," she said.

She's excited that she can pursue her passion as a career. And even though band directing is a male dominated role in the professional world as well, she's ready to take it on. Just look how regal.

"Being the first female drum major is cool because it means there will be a second, a third, and a fourth," she said. Now that younger women have the chance to see Julie as drum major, they will hopefully be more apt to see themselves in that role as well. Thanks for leading the charge, Julie. We'll see you on game day!