The University of Florida Fightin’ Gator Marching Band has been keeping time since 1913, making it one of the oldest collegiate marching bands in Florida. Despite existing for over a century, no woman ever held the title of drum captain — until now.
Jillian Colosimo, a 22-year-old UF English and criminology alumna, made history as the first female drum captain and center snare of the band for the 2024-25 academic year.
Since graduating, Colosimo has inspired the next generation of musicians. She’s visited several high schools across the state, encouraging percussionists to follow their passions, become leaders and build their confidence.
“I didn’t realize the impact I would have on people,” Colosimo said. “I had gotten a message from a girl who had said that I was inspiring to her, and I really couldn’t even comprehend it.”
Colosimo picked up drumsticks for the first time in fifth grade and spent the next 11 years as a percussionist. She led her high school drumline and knew she couldn’t give it up when she started college, she said.
Cecilia Rodriguez, a 22-year-old UF chemical engineering senior and Colosimo’s close friend, said she naturally fit in with Gator Band.
“[Colosimo] is someone who really values excellence and the tradition of Gator Band,” Rodriguez said.
In her senior year, Colosimo became the first woman to step into the drum captain and center snare roles.
The job isn’t just musical, she said, it’s leadership. The captain calls the opening cadence, taps the band in and sets the tempo, tone and discipline for a 30-member drumline.
Her role and its responsibilities taught her respect, Colosimo said.
“I wasn’t trying to control people,” she said. “I was treating them like family. If you’re not respecting people as a leader, no one’s going to respect you.”
Her leadership style didn’t go unnoticed.
In high school, she was always scared as drum captain, Colosimo said. She lacked confidence and was unsure if people truly listened to her.
But Colosimo “broke out of her shell” in college, gaining confidence and ensuring her team felt comfortable under her leadership.
Hannah Williams, a band director at Lafayette High School and former UF drumline member, invited Colosimo to speak to her students.
“She had her goals laid out, asking great questions and knew how to connect,” Williams said. “I was taking notes while she was speaking.”
Williams said Colosimo’s excellence goes beyond technique.
“When I was at UF last year, there was a different vibe [with the band],” Williams said. “I asked someone what changed. ‘It’s because we have a woman [leading us] now.’”
Colosimo’s presence also reshaped dynamics inside the drumline.
Gracie Hartzog, a 20-year-old UF studio art senior and a cymbaline member of the drumline, said Colosimo was a good leader and fostered a space where women could thrive.
“[Colosimo] was a very sweet, level-headed, natured captain,” Hartzog said.
Colosimo inspired her as a female member of the drumline, Hartzog said. The drum captain created a female-led supportive group chat with all the female drumline members, offering a safe space to talk or express concerns in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
“We had our largest section leader group of women last year than we had ever had,” Hartzog said.
She said she hopes Colosimo’s leadership will inspire other girls to pursue leadership roles within the drumline.
Despite graduating from UF, Colosimo isn’t done inspiring those around her. She was offered a position as a percussion tech for student ensembles.
Colosimo said that she may be the first female captain, but she won’t be the last.
“I hope that this will allow people to step up more and realize that there is way more that you can do than you could possibly imagine,” Colosimo said.
Contact Swasthi Maharaj at smaharaj@thealligator.org. Follow her on X @s_maharaj1611.
