Hearing those four notes played by the Golden Band from Tigerland is one of the most memorable moments when attending an LSU football game.

The band controls the energy of the crowd during games, but who controls the band?

Catherine Mansfield is one of four female drum majors in LSU history, which means all eyes are on her.

“It can be a little stressful at times… knowing I’m one of very few women that have been in this role,” Mansfield said. “Sometimes it feels like… people are paying extra close attention to me because ‘oh the drum major’s a little different this year, like, let’s watch her extra close to see… make sure she’s doing everything correctly’, but it honestly just motivates me to do even better and strive for perfection.”

Mansfield was given this role after a month-long audition process.

This process includes an interview, a musical talent component, peer feedback, and finally a conducting trial with the entire band.

Tiger Band Director, Simon Holoweiko, says Mansfield stood out from her competition because she had been a two-year section leader for the piccolos.

“We’re looking for people who have significant contributions to the band already,” Holoweiko said. “[Catherine] was a section leader her sophomore year, which is sort of an anomaly in what we do, so she had a lot of experience going into it.”

For her, this position is not only about the title, as one of her favorite parts of being drum major is the friendships she’s been able to form throughout the semester.

“When you’re an instrumentalist, you kind of tend to stick to your section,” Mansfield said. “I just love that I get to make a lot more friends within the band this year.”

Mansfield adds to LSU history as the newest female Drum Major, continuing to be a leader to the band both on and off the field.