Two students - two top spots among University musical groups.
Ramon Johnson nursed a stress fracture in his foot last week. After marching on asphalt for an hour and a half, five days a week, not to mention the hours of marching on game Saturdays, it's no surprise.
So lately Johnson has been marching on crutches.
"He has a very high standard for himself," said Marching Band Director Kevin Sedatole. "Now we've pretty much got him off (his foot)."
Johnson is the first black drum major of the Michigan Marching Band. He said he joined the band his first year as a tenor saxophone, but soon felt compelled to contribute more. Now he said he enjoys his role with both its responsibilities and the attention it affords.
"My goal was to be the drum major," Johnson said. "I'm not floating on a cloud somewhere because I'm the first, but I am proud for my culture.
"There are a lot of band members who look up to me. My job is to be a leader and a support."
Music senior Cheryl Darden also has her share of responsibility.
Darden is the first black student to occupy principal in a University orchestra. She is now one of the three principal cellos on the University Symphony Orchestra, picked by screened audition - playing a sample of music while obscured by a screen.
Johnson was voted in by the other band members after a 10-step audition covering marching technique and leadership ability. Sedatole said Johnson displays true skill in leading by example.
"He interacts with the membership of the band quite well," Sedatole said. "He's interested in people and takes the time to get to know them."
His friends in band said Johnson doesn't let that big baton get to his head. Engineering sophomore and trumpet player Kim Sachs called him "down to earth."
"Everybody knows they can talk to him," Sachs said. "He's willing to take his shirt off his back."
The Detroit-born junior said he still practices the saxophone every day and that music is a "special entity" for him.
"It can make you laugh, it can make you cry," Johnson said. "For a lot of people it can make your life complete."
Sedatole describes Johnson as heavy on school spirit, nearly always wearing Michigan gear. Sure enough, even his orthopedic shoe is blue.
Johnson is a mechanical engineering major and vice president of Kappa Kappa Psi honorary fraternity. But Johnson said his busy schedule has only improved his grades.
"You learn to balance things," Johnson said. "It forces you to pace yourself and put yourself on a strict schedule."
Johnson said he was not aware until after he was elected that he was the first black drum major at the University. He said he was surprised "because of the fact that it's 1996" but also proud of his accomplishment.
Darden also has a lot to be proud of. So do her husband and three-year-old son.
"I believe it's a gift God has given me," Darden said. "There's just no way you can make it without God."
University Orchestras Director Kenneth Kiesler said Darden is a talented performer.
"She's very mature and conscientious," Kiesler said. "She plays very expressively."
Darden credits much of her success to God and to her husband Kenneth and son Kenneth Charles, whom she calls "K.C." for short.
"Recently he's been saying 'Mommy practice!'," Darden said.
Her husband, an Eastern Michigan University business senior, said he also acts as a "coach" for Darden.
"I look at her playing very critically because I know that's how her competition looks at her," Darden said.
Cheryl Darden said she was proud to be the first African American in her position.
"I almost feel like a pioneer in a sense," Darden said.
Darden said there is a stereotype that black people do not, or cannot play classical music. She attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Mich., and recalled that she often would not get the recognition for her music that she deserved before coming to the University.
"(A black classical musician) is not something that this society wants to see," Darden said.
David Aderente, facilities coordinator for the School of Music, said there are currently four black students, three of whom are female, among the approximately 150 orchestra members at the University.
In high school, Darden said her father encouraged her not to give up in the face of obstacles such as racism.
"He said, 'what do you have to lose? You've come this far,'" Darden said.
Darden also serves as a minority peer advisor for the School of Music. She said even at Michigan, minorities deal with some ignorance and covert discrimination.
"Times have changed," Darden said. "It's not blatant - it's more subtle."
Between caring for her family, her music, school and work, Darden's peers admire her ability to keep it together.
"It's a challenge and I know she's juggling a lot," Kiesler said. "She works very hard."
In the future, Darden said she wants to teach music. She said she would advise black youths the same way she does her young son, to overcome their obstacles "by being the best."
"Work twice as hard, be twice as good and stay encouraged," Darden said.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Drum major Ramon Johnson leads the Michigan Marching Band during a half-time performance at the Michigan-Illinois game Aug. 31. Johnson, an Engineering junior, is the band's first black drum major.