Meet the Marchers: Linnea Polen

Name: Linnea Polen

Grade: 12

Instrument/Role: Alto Saxophone, Squad Leader 

Years in Band: 5

Why did you choose marching band? I chose to join marching band because my brother did it. I used to come to the football games all the time just to watch the bands. I knew it was something I wanted to try. I tried in 8th grade, I loved it and it stuck around. 

How do you prepare for marching band? Obviously, having my instrument, and my bag of goodies. It has my music, my pencil, my drawstring, my water. I listen to hype-up music on the drive there to get in the right mindset.

Favorite song to play and march in the current show: “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” (I get to dance with Mady) or “I’ll Be There”

Favorite show of all time: Jam Show

Favorite song of all time: “Lean on Me”

Favorite memory: I don’t think I can pinpoint just one. I think dancing at band camp is among my favorite memories. I love to interact with all the different kids there, too. I love band festival days, from setting up in the morning and then going out with friends. This year Sally and I went to Chick-fil-A and then we went to the band festival. It was just so fun.

Favorite part of band: I get to meet so many people with such unique personalities. I love being around people and just being in band. You’re around the best people there.

Favorite paper plate award: The Movie Buddy Award – I got it my freshman year from my squad leader, Josie Brackman. We used to go to the movies together all the time. 

What’s your favorite part about being a squad leader? I love seeing the growth of people in my squad. Not that they struggle at the beginning of the season, but watching them go from needing reminders about certain things and then it just becomes habit. It’s really cool to see them gain confidence and be excited about what they’re doing.

What do you do in order to be a successful squad leader? I get to know the people in my squad, outside of band as well. Not everyone responds to feedback the same way and not everyone interacts with people in the same way. It’s important to find a groove and make the best possible scenario where everyone feels comfortable and ready.

What do you like most about your squad? This year, my favorite thing about my squad is that they’re all very different in their own way, but they’re all so positive all the time. They make me laugh, and we all make each other laugh. They’re a really fun group of people to be around. 

What is it like soloing for the marching band? Do you enjoy it? I do enjoy it now. It was definitely stressful at first, but being able to play it, especially with Mady, makes it a lot more comfortable because I’m up there with one of my best friends. We get to dance during it, too, which is very fun.

How do you prepare for your solo? Me and Mady do the sax handshake when we pass each other on our way to the solo. We do it every time.

Are you nervous or excited whenever you perform it? I’m a lot more excited now because I feel like I know it a lot better and I’m not worried about messing it up. I can just have fun with it. 

What kind of music do you listen to? I’m all over the place. I’m in theater, so I listen to a lot of musicals. My favorite is Next to Normal. I also listen to a lot of Laufey.

If you could make your own show, what would it be like? It would be a bunch of showstoppers. It’d have “Seasons of Love” from Rent, songs from Les Mis, Chorusline, Mamma Mia. I’d add “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge, and “Santa Fe” from Newsies. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray, too!

Do you plan to continue marching in college? No, I don’t. As much as it would be fun, I don’t see myself doing it because it won’t be the same as it was here. I will be returning for band events here, though, because my little brothers are joining next year.

What will you miss the most about the North Hills Marching Band? Definitely seeing these people all the time. Even now, not being able to see the eighth graders as much as I did during the summer is hard. I miss their presence. It’s such a good group of people, and I’ve formed such close bonds with them. So many people, even people that I don’t know that well, will say hi to me in the hallway or be like “Hey, what’s up? How are you doing?” Just those interactions on a daily basis have a positive impact on how I carry out my day and it changed my mindset. Being able to interact with so many people that are happy to see me makes me excited. I’ll definitely miss that. 

Anything else you’d like to share? Shoutout to squad 9! Wyatt, Kayla, and Macie, because they’re the best. Every time we do anything, they just make it a very fun experience. I’d also like to shout out my littles, Sarah, Zoe and Katt! They’ve made this year super special and one that I’ll always remember. This year has been very fulfilling for me. I will miss it, but I feel like I’ve definitely given it my all for the past five years, and I’m excited to see what everybody else continues to do whenever I come back to watch the band. 

Thank you so much, Linnea! 

If you’d like to be interviewed, email me at [email protected]!