“Like his instrument, the bass drum, David Fernandez is an essential member of the Penn Band because he provides a foundation for the group. With his many years of experience in the group, combined with a friendly and welcoming demeanor, I’ve always felt his support and friendship, and seen how he takes an interest in seeing younger Band members succeed. As a Recruitment and Retention Chair in 2019, David helped bring in one of the largest incoming Penn Band classes and further promoted the Band’s values of engagement and inclusivity. The next year, David was elected to the Executive Board as the 2020 Treasurer, and with me, led the Band through most of the pandemic with optimism and a never-ending enthusiasm despite the challenges the year brought. In his last semester, while no longer in an official leadership role, David continued to stay involved as a senior voice on the Band’s newly-formed DEI committee, providing valuable insight and offering mentorship to younger Band members. “