Drum Major Colin Miller finds his rhythm at UWL

Finding his voice as a leader

Miller's leadership story began early. As a first-year student, he served as section leader for the French horns in the wind ensemble, represented students at Music Department faculty meetings, and was one of four students from UWL selected for a national honor band trip to Georgia.

"It was surprising to me because people always talk about how seniority rules," says Miller. "But that's not the case at UWL. They look for the right person for the job. It felt like an honor - like you're held to a high standard because they trust you can handle it."

Early on Band Director Tammy Fisher saw something special in Miller. She introduced him to campus leaders during commencement the spring of his freshman year as "a future drum major."

Miller spent his sophomore year as section leader and high brass representative in the band before earning the drum major position his junior and senior years.

"He carries himself with an air of confidence - but not arrogance," says Fisher. "He's friendly, charismatic and approachable. Those qualities matter in leadership. And, on top of that, he's an excellent musician. He checks all the boxes."

Going beyond band

Miller's experiences with UWL's band have given him confidence to lead beyond campus. As early as his sophomore year, he was hired by Holmen High School to direct its show band - the musical group that accompanies the school's show choir.

"With those early experiences, it exposed me to how to work with others and teach others," he says.

He's also worked summers with Interstate Sound, helping run live event sound and lighting in the region. "My boss reached out because he saw me sing and play music at UWL and said, 'We need someone with that kind of musical knowledge,'" says Miller.

All these roles, he says, have prepared him for his future career as a choir teacher.

"For me, as a future teacher, all of these experiences have given me the opportunity to hone my craft and teaching style very early on," he says. "It's given me a leg up - I've been able to figure out what some of my peers are just starting to learn."

Learning to let go - and lead

Fisher says she's enjoyed watching drum majors grow each year, gradually taking on more of the lead role in the band as she steps back.

"It's fun to sit back and watch them grow as leaders and adults," she says. "It's like when someone gets their learner's permit and you finally let them take the car on their own. You have to trust that everything you've put into them is there."

Miller appreciated that trust. "We knew she believed in us," he says. "So, it was on us to figure out how to make it work."

A musician with many talents

Beyond band, Miller has served as choir president, choir section leader, bass section leader in orchestra, and a member of the Dean's Student Advisory Council for the School of Education. As choir president, he planned events and coordinated logistics - experience that mirrors what he'll do as a teacher organizing performances.

When he's not directing or performing, Miller is learning instruments - a requirement for all music education majors. He's now proficient in flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, bass, percussion, guitar, ukulele, piano, and voice.

"There were some very late nights," he says, laughing. "Especially while studying voice, playing in wind ensemble and orchestra, and practicing French horn, upright bass, and piano every week."

The intense practice has sharpened his ear. "Depending on the concert, my ear picks up on different things," he says. "At a rock concert, I focus on the bass; at an orchestra concert, it might be the horn. I'm a little too picky sometimes - I can hear when just one oboe is flat in a band."

Looking ahead

Now completing his field observations at Central High School, Miller feels musically well-prepared. He credits the mentors who guided him - especially Fisher, who saw his potential early on and continued to push him toward new challenges.

"She's kind of just… in a good way, thrown me in the deep end," he says with a laugh. "I really credit her for a lot of my growth."

He also acknowledges inspiration from former UWL marching band leaders James Koeberl , a fellow music education major who passed away in January 2025, and Alec Vosburgh, a choral education graduate.

While he has had ample music experience, he admits stepping into a real classroom through student teaching next year will bring new challenges.

Fisher is confident he'll thrive. "He's had great opportunities, but he's also capitalized on them - watching, learning and absorbing everything like a sponge," she says. "He's going to be terrific. This is why we do what we do."