2016 Member Spotlights
“Being involved in UNC Charlotte’s marching band is for sure the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Nick Francis is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in music education. After graduation, he plans to continue his education in pursuit of a master’s degree in percussion performance. This is his second year as part of the PNNMB Drumline, both years as a member of the snare line. This year, Nick accepted a Student Leadership Staff position as Drumline Equipment Manager. He is responsible for tuning the drums and ensuring everything is in good condition. In his free time, Nick likes to watch sports and play disc golf.
Nick is from Denver, NC and graduated from East Lincoln High School in 2015. He was a member of the East Lincoln “Mustang Band” for four years and the Indoor Percussion Ensemble for four years. With the marching band, he played auxiliary percussion for one season, vibraphone for one season and marimba for two seasons. With the indoor program, he marched bass drum for one season and snare drum for three seasons. He was also the Percussion Captain for one year. His favorite part about marching band has always been getting to drum with his best friends.
Here’s what Nick has to say about the PNNMB:
“Being involved in UNC Charlotte’s marching band is for sure the best thing I’ve ever done. Nothing has compared to playing on a drumline full of my best friends. Getting to cadence to, and inside the stadium is one of the coolest feelings anyone can experience. Playing behind the horn line and hearing the crowd cheer for us is just awesome. There are so many advantages to being on board with this group. I am so grateful to be part of such a fast growing and outstanding organization.”
“PNNMB is not only the best thing that has ever happened to this University, but also the most excciting part of my tenure here at UNC Charlotte!
Brianna Douglas is a senior at UNC Charlotte, majoring in physics and minoring in music. After graduation, she plans to continue her education at the graduate level, concentrating in astrophysics and astronomy. This is her second year in PNNMB, and she now serves as a member of the Student Leadership Staff in the role of clarinet section leader. She holds the duties of keeping the clarinet section (a.k.a. “CSQUAD”) musically apt, together with marching and also keeping the section a family (and up to date on their notorious dance skills!).
Brianna proudly describes herself as a military child. She was born in Fayetteville, NC and has traveled the world, living in over six different places (including overseas in Okinawa, Japan). Although Brianna attended three different high schools, she graduated from L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, VA in 2013. While there, she marched clarinet and was field commander of the Skyhawk Marching Band her senior year. Brianna claims that the best part of being in marching band is having a family that accepts you for who you are, and comes together to make music. In her free time, she likes to jam out to all types of music and hang out with friends.
Here’s what Brianna has to say about the PNNMB:
“PNNMB is not only the best thing that has happened to this University, but also the most exciting part of my tenure here at UNC Charlotte! The band really gets the fans hype, and seeing the positive feedback we get from them is amazing. PNNMB has helped me learn how to balance my school and personal life, while still including band. I look forward to game days and just coming to practice to be around great people and the best spirit squad at UNC Charlotte!”
“I’m beyond happy that there’s an outstanding organization right here at UNC Charlotte that allows me to show my passion for this activity.”
Jarod Ricks is a sophomore at UNC Charlotte, majoring in business with a concentration in management information systems and minoring in journalism. After graduation, he plans to continue his education at the graduate level where he then plans to become a business database analyst. This is his second year as part of the PNNMB Colorguard and his first year on the weapon line. When he isn’t devoted to his studies, Jarod likes to spend time with his friends and volunteer as a Niner Guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at UNC Charlotte.
Jarod is from Rockingham, NC and graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 2015. He was a member of the Richmond Senior High School “Marching Raiders” for four years where he marched clarinet for three years and colorguard one year. He was the clarinet section leader his junior year and the colorguard captain his senior year. He was also a member of Cumberland Independent Winter Guard for one season. His favorite part about marching band (colorguard specifically) is that it gives him a way to express himself in a way that no other activity allows.
Here’s what Jarod has to say about the PNNMB:
“Last year when I was looking for colleges to attend, I definitely wanted one that had a marching band. Upon seeing that UNC Charlotte was having a first-year program, I knew I had to join! It was such an honor and amazing experience to march last year in the inaugural season of the PNNMB. As a male colorguard member, I was anxious about joining a collegiate marching band, but now that I’m in it, I’ve found that my fellow members have become like a family to me. I’m beyond happy that there’s an outstanding organization right here at UNC Charlotte that allows me to show my passion for this activity!”
“I want to encourage all of the female drummers that might be interested in this marching band – you have to believe in yourself and be brave.”
Raven Pfeiffer is a freshman at UNC Charlotte, majoring in music. After graduation, she plans to continue her music career through traveling performance and music lessons. She plays snare drum in the drumline, and her favorite part of the PNNMB is being able to grow and drum with her best friends.
Raven lived in Pottstown, Pennsylvania for the first 10 years of her life, and then her family moved to Mooresville, NC where she graduated from Mooresville High School in 2016. She was a member of the Mooresville “Pride in Motion Marching Band” for four years, all four playing snare drum. She was co-captain of the drumline her senior year. Raven was also a member of Fusion Percussion (a WGI Open Class indoor line) in 2014, playing snare drum. She likes to play other instruments (drum set, guitar, bass and piano), write music, sing, watch Netflix, perform with The Phil Hamrick Band, serve at The Cove Church, and spend time with friends and family during her free time.
Here’s what Raven has to say about the PNNMB:
“I’m so proud to be a part of the PNNMB. I’ve already made so many long-lasting friends and learned so much in such little time. In the past, it was very difficult to gain respect as a female drummer. I was very nervous coming into college, but was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming the PNNMB can be. I’m grateful to be with such a talented group of people. I want to encourage all of the female drummers that might be interested in this marching band—you have to believe in yourself and be brave. It’s never going to be easy, but if you’re passionate, it will be completely worth it.”
“Joinign this marching band might have possibly been my best decision in college thus far.”
Xavier Esquilin is a freshman at UNC Charlotte, majoring in computer science with a concentration in cyber security. After college, he would like to work in a government cyber security agency or join the cyber security team of a major bank. Xavier plays sousaphone, and this is his first year as a member of the PNNMB. In his free time, he likes to go out and be active in intramural sports such as basketball and flag football.
Xavier is from Rosedale Queens, New York, but spent his last six years living in Greensboro, North Carolina. He Graduated from Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro, NC. He was a member of the Page High School “Pirate Marching Band” where he played sousaphone for four years and served as a section leader of the low brass. His favorite part of being in marching band is the family aspect that comes with it. He takes pride in being with a group of people who love their craft and want to come together to make each other better.
Here’s what Xavier has to say about the PNNMB:
“When I caught wind that UNC Charlotte was in the process of putting together a marching band, I knew I wanted to join. I have only had positive experiences, starting all with my section. This is my family and I thoroughly enjoy being with them. Being with the band is amazing because we laugh together in times of rest… but get work done when it’s time to put a show on the field. My favorite part of band besides the family aspect is the joy everyone has after we grind out a new show, having it ready for performance. Being in the PNNMB makes it easy to love Charlotte and call it my second home. It’s always nice to have a place where you know you are welcome, and when you need help there is an army to help you. Joining this marching band might have possibly been my best decision in college thus far.”
By Dr. Chesley Black, Student Leadership Program & Media Director