Drum Majors & Block Captains

Charlotte Baker (left side), Zainab Adebayo (right side)
2025 Drum Major is Charlotte Baker, 2025 Block Captain is Zainab Adebayo

Drum Major

The drum major is the heartbeat of the University of Minnesota Marching Band. The drum major is the primary student instructor of the University of Minnesota Marching Band and wears many hats – musician, conductor, leader, performer, and role model for the Marching Band community.

These band members took great pride in leading one of the finest marching bands in the nation. The band has had 65 drum majors, including 5-year drum majors – George Aagaard (1931–35), Jim Wetherbee (1949–53), Richard Johnson (1961–1965), Jim Mitchell (1966–1970), and Kirk Juergens (1987–1991).

1892: Jennings C. Litzenberg
1893–1894: Joel Gregory
1895: N.D. Bessessen
1896: Tom L. Jones
1896: Ben Towne
1897: Claude Cotton
1900: George B. Webster
1903: R.T. Hugo
1903: W.B. Stout
1904: C.W. Huntington
1905–1906: R.C. Cannon
1907: Ben E. Taylor
1908–1910: George Cottingham
1911–1913: Carroll F. Nelson
1914–1917: Carl G. Swendseen
1918: D.W. Kitzmiller
1920–1921: Leonard Aamodt
1923: Herbert Liese
1924–1927: Wallace A. Thexton
1928–1930: Wallace Benton
1928: Walter Johnson
1931–1935: George Aagaard
1936–1938: Winston Jewson
1939–1941: Laurence Ellefson
1939–1941: Walter Holmstrom
1939–1940: Ted Mosio
1940: William Balamut
1942: Jerry Benson
1943: John Gruye
1944–1947: John N. Smith
1944: Albert Burns
1947–1948: Cliff Schroeder
1948: Robert Thompson
1949–1953: Jim Wetherbee
1954–1957: Don Elsen
1958–1960: M. William Johnson
1961–1965: Richard Johnson
1966–1970: Jim Mitchell
1967: Bill Ekstrum
1971–1973: Bryan Warren
1974: Charles Buck
1975–1976: Jim Krikava
1977: Pat Patton
1978–1980: Grant Benjamin
1981–1982: Dan Kuch
1983–1984: Jeff Thomas
1985–1986: Ed Long
1987–1991: Kirk Juergens
1992: Aaron Fisher
1993–1994: Chad Saloka
1995: J. Drew Kunkel
1996–1997: Alec Charais
1998–2000: Andy Richter
2001: Todd Olin
2002–2003: Jon Tepe
2004: John Thompson
2005: Dick Osterberg
2006–2007: Molly Watters
2008–2010: Aaron Marks
2011–2013: Brandon Folkes
2014: Joe Walsh
2015–2016: Robert Rudin
2017–2018: Tommy Greco
2019–2020: Chamberlain Gregg
2021: Julia White
2022: Jon Ingram
2023–2024: Ari Martin
2025: Charlotte Baker

Drum Major Charlotte Baker

Charlotte Baker is from Lakeville, Minnesota and graduated from Lakeville South High School in 2023. During high school, Charlotte participated in Science Olympiad, National Honors Society, concert band, pep band, jazz band, and marching band. Her senior year, she led her high school’s marching band as one of three drum majors. Her passion for music also extends beyond her marching band career. Since starting music lessons at five years old, Charlotte has always loved making music with others, whether it was playing guitar with her dad or being a member of a B1G marching band. 

Currently in her junior year at the University of Minnesota, Charlotte is majoring in Chemical Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering. After graduating, she plans to continue her education with a masters degree in engineering and eventually pursue a career in sustainable energy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing video games, practicing guitar, and drawing. 

Before becoming the 68th Drum Major of the Pride of Minnesota, Charlotte was a member of the flute section for two years. She has also participated in Gopher Athletic Bands and has enjoyed cheering on Gopher volleyball, basketball, and hockey teams from the stands. As Drum Major, Charlotte is excited to work with Block Captain Zainab Adebayo in season 134. She hopes to strengthen various aspects of the band’s performance as well as foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members. 

Block Captain

The block captain works closely with the band's faculty, staff, and leadership team to serve the needs of all band members while continuing to serve as a regular member of the ensemble.

The band has had 16 block captains, each with their own spin on the position and contributions to the organization.

2006: Megan Ivers
2007: Elliot Redmann
2008: Chesney Engquist
2009: Nick Aspholm
2010: Brandon Folkes
2011: Quentin Knutson
2012: Raoul Shah
2013: Joe Walsh
2014: Phil Homen
2015: Amelia Forsmo
2016: Cole Jobin
2017: Connor Jensen
2018: Ryan Beczkiewicz
2019-2020: Bethany Mestelle
2021: Neil Garcia
2022-2023: Kindra Peterson
2024: Zainab Adebayo

Block Captain Zainab Adebayo

Zainab Adebayo grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota and graduated from Simley High School in 2022. In high school, Zainab participated in many extracurricular activities such as Nordic skiing, varsity track and field, marching, concert, and pep band. Additionally, she competed in several honor bands, solo and large group ensemble concerts. These musical ensembles fostered her love and ambition for music that she has today.

Currently in her senior year, Zainab is majoring in Kinesiology within the College of Education and Human Development. Once graduated, she plans to attend graduate school and become a physical therapist. In her free time, Zainab enjoys photography, solving puzzles, spending time with friends and family, and playing video games.

Returning as Block Captain, Zainab played the baritone for three years in the University of Minnesota Marching Band. She still continues to play with her section in addition to leading and serving the rest of the band. Outside of a marching band setting, she also loves going to Gopher pep band events to cheer on the basketball, hockey, and volleyball teams. As the Season 134 Block Captain, Zainab is honored to lead the band alongside Charlotte. She’s excited to strengthen bonds within the band, uphold an inclusive environment for all band members, and spread the band’s musical presence throughout our university and beyond.