WEST CHESTER, Pa. —- After a couple months of heat, thoughts are turning to fall – cool weather, holidays and football. And what’s football without a marching band performance, led by a drum major? Sydney Steves is a drum major with the Cambridge-South Dorchester High School marching band, and the incoming junior spent a week in July learning her craft at the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy in West Chester, Pa. “Over this past week, I have learned so much, grown as a person, met so many amazing people, and with these people, created amazing friendships,” she said on social media. Drum majors play an important role in leading a band, and in being the liaison between the director and the musicians. The post got its start in military bands in 17th-century Europe, and eventually moved into civilian and academic life. At the academy, Sydney studied conducting and teaching, as well as leadership and communication techniques. But maybe the best part of the week was spending time with other students who shared her interests and enthusiasm. “I consider myself to be a pretty lucky person to have met all of you guys,” she wrote to her friends. “This past week was one of the absolute best because of you. Whether it be for your bands, or in life in general, every single one of you will go on and do amazing things.” The C-SD Vikings’ first home football game will take place Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.