Hannah Beals and Destiny Martin are directing and giving commands to the Sparkman High School Marching Band.

Both seniors, they’re serving as drum majors and assisting head drum major Hannah Stanfield.

In fifth grade, Martin started playing clarinet in a private school in Mississippi. “I decided to learn to play an instrument because I heard the band play at an assembly one day. I was so blown away by how great they sounded.”

“I wanted to be a part of that great sound one day,” Martin said.

Her decision to audition for drum major was based on her love of conducting, helping people, meeting new people and “making sure everyone has an enjoyable experience in the band.”

As a junior, Martin completed her second year in the Sparkman Medical Academy, “which has been a great experience,” she said. She also participates in Spanish Club.

Her parents are Raymond and Subrina Martin. Destiny Martin plans to attend the University of Alabama. “I don’t plan on being a music major in college, but I will continue to stay in the band program and join the UA Million Dollar Band,” she said.

Hannah Beals

Beals has played bassoon since sixth grade at Monrovia Elementary School and, since that time, has studied with Hunter Thomas, principal bassoonist of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Her older brother was in band, which swayed her decision to join. “I decided to play the bassoon because it was big, loud and obnoxious,” Beals said. For marching season, she plays alto saxophone.

“My perspective of an amazing drum major is a servant. I want to serve others by helping and teaching,” Beals said. Stepping on the field at halftime, she feels a sense of accomplishment for her classmates’ hard work.

At Sparkman, Beals is involved with the photography and Spanish clubs. She is principal bassoonist with Huntsville Youth Symphony. Currently, she is studying music at the University of the South – Sewanee.

Hannah’s parents’ are David and Carla Beals.

For college, she’s considering the University of Alabama at Birmingham or Sanford University. She wants to study medicine to work with pediatric cancer patients.