For Jayden Green, the heartbeat of her Howard University experience was the relentless rhythm of music. This HU Showtime Marching Band alumna didn’t begin as a music major and certainly didn’t expect to march her way into a degree shaped by her love of composing, but it was the band, with all of its sweat, sound, and spirit, that transformed her path and pulled her closer to purpose.

Originally a criminology major with aspirations of law school, Jayden found herself drawn back to music. Self-taught on the piano and a lifelong flutist, Green attended high school at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Delaware, where she expanded her musical skills by picking up instruments like the steel drums, saxophone, and bassoon. 

Green was no stranger to musical expression. However, it wasn’t until she joined the iconic HU Showtime Marching Band that she fully realized the depth of her connection to music. "Not being in the band would leave me feeling empty," said Green. The energy of rehearsals, the electricity of game days, and the once-in-a-lifetime performances in places like Times Square and the NCAA tournament with Kamala Harris in the crowd cemented the band’s place as a central force in her experience at the Mecca.

Howard’s Showtime Marching Band is challenging, known for its intensity, discipline, and tight-knit culture. For Green, it became a crucible, testing her endurance, sharpening her skills, and building her confidence. "Greatness doesn’t come without grind, and for me, the grind was set to the beat of HU Showtime Band,” said Green. As the only woman in her graduating cohort of music composition majors, Green balanced full-time classes while remaining an integral member of the ensemble. 

It wasn’t just the music. It was the community, the travel, and the standard of excellence that fueled her. From parades in West Virginia to celebration bowls in Atlanta, the band offered her a lens to view the world and herself differently. 

In the midst of a packed academic schedule and rigorous band rehearsals, Green carved out space for something deeply personal and powerfully creative — her senior recital, a culminating project that not only showcased her musical growth, but affirmed her identity as a composer, singer, piccolo player, and so much more. Unlike many students who perform works by established artists, Green wrote and composed her entire senior recital from scratch.

Each piece reflected the breadth of her musical background, which includes classical structure woven with contemporary textures and original scores influenced by everything from jazz and gospel to cinematic soundscapes. Her performance was more than a requirement; it was a statement. It spoke to her journey from a self-taught pianist to a trained composer, and to her ability to synthesize technical knowledge with emotional resonance. "I wrote and composed every piece for my senior recital,” said Green. “It wasn’t just a performance; it was my voice."

Crafting a full recital while managing a 21-credit course load and a full band schedule required not just talent, but unwavering discipline. Green’s ability to create, refine, and deliver an original body of work is a testament to the drive that carried her through four demanding years. In that recital hall, as her music unfolded, she didn’t just meet expectations — she composed her own legacy.

Green’s foundation was built in the band. The Showtime experience, she says, taught her flexibility, leadership, and the value of being present, even in exhaustion.

Now, as a Howard alum Green looks toward the future. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in film scoring, combining her love for storytelling and composition to bring narratives to life through music. As she reflects on her time at Howard, she offers advice to the next generation of Showtime Marching Band members: show up, stay flexible, and be present. Howard may be a university deeply rooted in academic excellence, but for students like Green, it’s also a place where dreams in the arts can flourish.

Her story is a powerful reminder that success doesn't always follow a straight line, and sometimes the best melodies come from the unexpected key changes.