The Indianapolis cold seeps between the stitching of his blue-black uniform. Colorful sunglasses shade his vision in hues of orange, pink, and yellow, accenting the performance by 220 band members.

One performer stands out.

As the trumpet captain and band president, senior Aiden Spicer plays a lead role in the band program’s social centripetal movement, having guided a fraction of its members to 12th place in this year’s Bands of America Grand National competition.

“Grand Nationals has always been a huge deal for any band program,” Spicer said. “It’s very cool because when we get there. Leander High School band is known throughout not only the state, but the country too. People are like ‘wow, oh you guys are Leander, you guys are Leander.’ It’s a really cool feeling to know that your band program is recognized nationally.”

From a lifetime of music, attributed to his parents being band directors themselves, Spicer has learned the help he can give others and does so freely.

“When it comes to instruments, I only know the inner workings of mine,” Spicer said. “Of course I can help others, but most of the help has been in my own section. In marching season, I would meet with my section every Friday morning. Leadership-wise, I try to let everyone know that I am always there to help them if they have any questions, especially now, being a senior.”

As a senior, Spicer fulfills his mantle as a role model for fellow band members in both musical and social facets.

“I’ve had numerous people approach me for advice, leaning more on the social aspect, like: how can I get my section to show up to a social event? There are a lot of strategies that I’ve learned over the years… [It has had] positive results.”

Since his transfer from Stiles Middle School and the subsequent loss of his strongest friend group, Spicer has developed the ability to communicate with and lead others with help from his band directors.

“The band program and directors have helped Aiden grow just by allowing [him to] take responsibility and run with all of [his ideas],” band director Micheal Swiren said. “Giving Aiden the platform and space to be creative and innovative is the credit we can take. While [Aiden’s] goals may change as he goes through college and life, one thing that I am certain of is that he is going to continue to be an incredible leader. He will undoubtedly inspire countless young musicians and leaders in his life.”

With support from his peers and instructors, Spicer single-handedly established the tradition of History Night, a night dedicated to band leaders past. The sentiment behind this tradition is never-ending.

“My biggest accomplishment [is an ongoing] project that I started when I became band president,” Spicer said. “That is making people appreciate their time in the band program more than what they originally expected it to be. I started a history night where we invited alumni from 40, 50 years ago to talk to the band. These people in their sixties still remember their time in the Leander Band program. My [greatest achievement] this year was after I gave my final speech at history night. The whole band was crying and everyone was thankful for the words I said, which I had not realized were so impactful.”

Spicer’s presence has stimulated change in the band program and inspired fellow members in their musical pursuits.

“Aiden has helped me appreciate those who came before me,” sophomore and euphonium player Gustavo Perez said. “He has been making All State –which is very difficult, especially in Texas– since his freshman year, and constantly inspires me to be the best that I can… Aiden is very open to ideas which haven’t been conceived before, and is always thinking of new… ways the band could be just that little bit better. Aiden’s [presence] has led to a great shift in the culture of the band, and that’s affected me.”

As a section leader, captain, and band president, Spicer possesses qualities upon which leaders build their accomplishments: selflessness, humility, and grit.

“I have never heard Aiden brag or boast about his accomplishments,” Swiren said. “Instead, Aiden uses the platform of his success to encourage others to join in and make [ideas] seem achievable. Aiden is constantly seeking new opportunities to grow and flourish. He is never satisfied with the work he is doing… and is consistently creating new ways to make everyone in the program feel included. He is always around the band hall developing relationships or practicing his instrument.”

Spicer’s humility and grounded personality is on full display, despite stereotypes depicting trumpet players as egotistical, as described by junior Kissiah Holdway, a second-year trombone section leader.

“I really appreciate just how chill and easy to be around he is,” Holdway said. “It’s really easy to become cocky and annoying when you’re someone of his skill level… He’s super funny and really down-to-earth, always staying humble about his many achievements. He’s also an amazing leader, and really inspires…the entire band. He’s definitely helped me [to] be a better leader in general… I would have never met him without [joining] band, but I’m extremely grateful I got to meet him and get to be friends with him. 

“The trumpet leadership team has helped me [in my years in band],” Spicer said. “Especially this year. The trumpet selection leaders [this season] were beyond what I could’ve ever imagined a leader could’ve been… They’ve constantly pushed me. My freshman year, the trumpet captain– Dylan Haynes– he is why I became a leader. I saw how he led the section and thought: ‘I want to do that. I want to make it my own thing.’”

In return for their encouragement, Spicer’s bandmates have faced the full force of his own commitment. 

“I really appreciate Aiden’s ability to connect with everyone within the program,” senior and drum major Jayson Rodrigues said. “His leadership and his dedication is simply unmatched. He’s… always being there to listen. He is always there to make you feel heard as a person. In general, there wouldn’t have been this much change in the program if it weren’t for him.

Since his submersion into the Leander band, Spicer has honored the program’s history and now concerns himself with the future, legacy, and everything in between. 

“I hope… that I gave the band resources to create something better,” Spicer said. “I hope that I was able to make a foundation of culture that the future presidents, and the future drum majors, and the future section leaders can take and make their own and create a positive incline. [I hope] we can make a more positive environment, a more welcoming environment. Of course, we have a long way to go, and nobody is perfect, but I hope that I am able… to be an example for somebody to take [what I have done] to the next level.”