Ohio State University Drum Major:Scott Sommer

Scott Sommer became interested in becoming a Drum Major in his freshman year of high school. The Elyria High School Drum Major and future Ohio State University Drum Major, Cory Thompson, inspired him. “I watched Cory perform on the field and saw the reaction he got from the fans and knew that becoming a Drum Major was what I wanted to do,” said Sommer.

Sommer was selected to be Drum Major at Avon Lake High School for his junior and senior years. He began his training by taking lessons from Cory Thompson until Cory left to attend The Ohio State University. Sommer then took lessons for the next two years from former D-row member Tim Williams, another Elyria native. He attended many summer session practices in Columbus while he was still in high school. At these practices he met former Drum Major, Greg Eyer and began his training to become a Drum Major at The Ohio State University. He also attended the annual Drum Major Clinics held on campus and had the opportunity to work with current and former Drum Majors. During his senior year he worked with Matt Bally, the new Elyria High School Drum Major.


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	Scott Sommer 1998
Scott Sommer became interested in becoming a Drum Major in his freshman year of high school. The Elyria High School Drum Major and future Ohio State University Drum Major, Cory Thompson, inspired him. “I watched Cory perform on the field and saw the reaction he got from the fans and knew that becoming a Drum Major was what I wanted to do,” said Sommer. Sommer was selected to be Drum Major at Avon Lake High School for his junior and senior years. He began his training by taking lessons from Cory Thompson until Cory left to attend The Ohio State University. Sommer then took lessons for the next two years from former D-row member Tim Williams, another Elyria native. He attended many summer session practices in Columbus while he was still in high school. At these practices he met former Drum Major, Greg Eyer and began his training to become a Drum Major at The Ohio State University. He also attended the annual Drum Major Clinics held on campus and had the opportunity to work with current and former Drum Majors. During his senior year he worked with Matt Bally, the new Elyria High School Drum Major.		Scott Sommer
Shortly before Sommer started his college career at The Ohio State University, he was given the unique opportunity to tryout for the position of Assistant Drum Major which had become open over the summer. He won the position and became Assistant Drum Major for the 1996-97 football season as a freshman. He performed in two home games before he ever attended a class at OSU. It was a very successful season and he was able to march in the “Tournament of Roses” parade and perform at the Rose Bowl game. Sommer became the Drum Major for the 1998-1999 football season and concluded his year at the Nokia Sugar Bowl. His fondest memories of the season were the victory over Michigan and the bowl victory over Texas A&M. Today, Sommer is still an active participant with the OSU Alumni Band and returns to help with the annual Drum Major clinics where he teaches future high school and college Drum Majors including his brother, Eric, who became the 2004 OSU Drum Major. Scott Sommer continues his passion for marching band as a public school band director in Ohio.