Keeping the Beat: Joshua Carrejo lead the SHS Pep Band

When the Socorro High School football team takes the field this fall, the sound of live music will resound from the bleachers. After years without a formal program, the pep band is back, and leading the way is sophomore drum major Joshua Carrejo.

“When there’s a touchdown, we play the fight song, or just little shorties during plays,” Carrejo said. “We help out the cheerleaders, too. They’ll cheer whenever we play something. It’s just really cool seeing everybody getting together — listening to music and watching football.”

Carrejo joined the high school’s pep band his freshman year during a turbulent time for the music department.

“We had substitute after substitute,” Carrejo said.

He stepped up to help lead and his initiative caught the attention of Socorro Middle School Assistant Principal Denise Gilson, who encouraged him to become drum major.

Now with the addition of new band director Robbie Stevens, the group is finding its footing.

“The students are building the program,” said Ray Carrejo, Joshua’s father, and former SHS marching band member.

The pep band has grown from just three high school members and five 8th grade members that sometimes sat in last year to 10 today, rehearsing twice a week and performing at games.

Music has been part of Joshua’s life since middle school, when he picked up guitar and saxophone. Outside of his role as drum major, he plays tenor saxophone with the Socorro Community Band, a multigenerational group open to musicians of all ages. He has also performed at the state level, earning a spot as seventh chair alto saxophone in the New Mexico Honor Band in eighth grade.

“It was such a crazy experience. I was used to having a 20, if we’re lucky, maybe 15 people in band to a 60 something ensemble,” Carrejo of Honor Band said.

The experience taught him extra discipline and decorum.

Carrejo said the pep band offers comradery. He welcomes students to pop their heads in and meet them if they are curious about picking up an instrument, learning to play and joining the band.

“Most of the people in my band class I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” he said. “Since it’s such a small group, we form even tighter bonds. Everyone helps each other instead of judging.”

Music is in the Carrejo blood. From a young age, Joshua and his father Ray, a saxophone player and former drama teacher, spent quality time listening to music from Pantera to Pearl Jam.

“I remember listening to the radio with my dad when I was younger, and it just kind of spoke to me,” Carrejo said. “Whenever there’s a community band offering concerts with my dad, or something involving music, it’s an escape. Not to sound corny but music, it’s like love, you know, music is my love, my life.”

Looking ahead, plans to remain drum major throughout high school and hopes to continue in music after graduation, with an eye on New Mexico State University’s “Pride of New Mexico” marching band.

Until then, Socorro fans can find him in the stands on Friday nights, keeping the beat and building a tradition that’s been missing for decades.

Editor’s note: to recommend a kid for the youth spotlight feature please email: jcarranza@dchieftain.com