PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 5, 2021) – Jesus Mata will end his senior year at Prairie View A&M University on a high note as the historically black university’s first Hispanic drum major.
“At first, it was kind of overwhelming because I’m used to keeping to myself,” said the 24-year-old music performance major, who is originally from Rio Bravo, Mexico. “I’m not used to receiving too much attention. I just go to band, play my instrument, and go home.”
Mata’s instrument of choice is the trombone, something that fell into his arms in middle school after moving to Dallas.
“In sixth grade, I became interested in band, particularly the snare drums, or any kind of drum, really,” Mata said. “But the music teacher said so many people chose the drums, and they could really use someone with long arms to learn the trombone. I said, ‘OK, I’ll play.'”
Mata’s musical talent carried through to Sunset High School, where Band Director Rametria Smith saw in him something special.
“She is someone who pushed me towards really going to school,” Mata said. “I didn’t have a plan to go to college. I just thought I’d graduate high school and go straight to work. But now I have lots of goals and things I want to do in life – teaching, directing my own band, and working my way up to the college-teaching level.”
PVAMU’s Marching Storm band has a long history of prestigious performances, including halftime shows with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, at the Formula 1 track in Austin, the 2001 Presidential Inauguration, the Rose Bowl Parade, Superbowl XLV and many more.
More than 80 years old and 300 students strong, the band is known for its high-energy routines and dazzling choreography. It’s fair to say Mata is no stranger to the splits, and one of his favorite routines is to Black Cat by Janet Jackson.
But when Mata wants to chill, he goes back to where it all began. “I get on my horn because, to me, it’s a stress reliever,” he said.
It’s a common misconception that drum majors play drums. In reality, their role is to lead the marching band without any musical instrument in hand at all.
“When I first came to Prairie View, [being a] drum major wasn’t something I really wanted to do because I just wanted to play my horn,” Mata said. “But then it kind of caught my attention. As the years went by, I thought ‘well, maybe I can.'”
It’s not as simple as just wanting it. Drum majors must earn it.
PVAMU Director of Bands Timmey Zachery said drum major auditions are held over the course of three months and include conditioning, performance training and an audition in front of the entire band, followed by deliberations at the staff level and a poll based on the students’ perspective of the line audition.
As a graduating senior this year, Mata has brought a certain amount of maturity to the music and discipline to the students, Zachery said.
“He has played all applicable ensembles at Prairie View A&M University: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Brass Ensemble and Brass Choir,” Zachery said. “His dedication to the university is far-reaching, and he is respected by his peers, the faculty, and staff.”
Those words are music to Mata’s ears.
“I realize that being a drum major means you have a lot of people look up to you, so I try to be a good example,” Mata said. “I’ve learned to enjoy it, and I guess I can actually say maybe I am a little proud of myself.”
By Kim Kyle Morgan
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