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Caitlin Schlueter '15

  • Senior marketing and management double major from Aviston, Ill.

  • 2014 Homecoming Queen
  • Presidential Scholar, on President’s and Dean’s Lists
  • Resident Assistant for 3 years
  • Advanced Leaders Group
  • Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies
  • Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society
  • Kappa Sigma Tau Sorority
  • Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities


Photo of Caitlin Schlueter '15Caitlin Schlueter '15 enjoys the discipline and teamwork required to play percussion in the Band. “The drumline is known for being hard working and always going above and beyond,” she says. “In the drumline, you need to be disciplined and always look the same as a group. You have to look professional.”

Caitlin played the bass drum and the snares before taking up tenors. “Percussion music is harder to memorize because you don’t have a tune, you have a rhythm. The tenors each have a different pitch, that’s why I enjoy them.”

Marching in formation with a five-drum set strapped on is a workout, Caitlin admits. “It’s pretty heavy. You have to get used to it. Each drum uses different muscles. You have to get used to holding each different drum.”

Her musical career began back in fourth grade with the clarinet, which she put aside after freshman year of high school. “I decided I wanted to try something new,” she said. “My high school had an indoor drumline and I always wanted to be a part of that. We used to do big competitions, like the one at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

“Adjusting to a college band is different than a high school competitive band. It’s more for entertainment purposes and not for competition. In high school you have all season to perfect one show. The Band performs a new show for each football game. We have to memorize all of the music for each show.”

Band members practice for six hours a week and rehearse for an hour or more before home football games at Leemon Field.

How would she describe the Marching Bearcat Band to a visitor? “We are traditional. We hold strong to a lot of traditions, that’s what we’re known for, things like the Bearcat Strut. We’re an energized group that really wants to wow the audience.

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“The band is a group of drastically different individuals. I’ve met a lot of really awesome people. We all share the same passion for music. I’m not a music major or minor, I do it because I enjoy it.”

 

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