TheDrumMajorAcademy:AnAbridgedHandbook

OriginalWorkby:GeorgeN.Parks,HeidiI.Sarver

Conducting:
MaintainandControlSteadyTempo
Start,stop,staytogether
Clear,steady,evenbeats
LeadingtheEnsemble
Nolongerwatchingtheconductor,youaretheconductor!Younowlead
thetempoinsteadoffollowingit
Taketheinitiativeandbeginconductingwithgreatconfidence
MusicalReferee
Holdtheensembletogetherunderanyandallcircumstances
Ego
Imustcontrol!thiswilloftencausea
major
performanceproblem
Beawareofhowmuchcommunicationthereiswiththebandatanygiven
momentinordertoknowhowmuchflexibilitytherecanbe

Ifyouaretheonlyoneright,thenyouarewrong.

InsistontheTempo
Demandthecorrecttempofromtheband
Startandstopuntilitiscorrect
Demandperfectioninrehearsal
Bepreparedtotakewhatyougetatperformance
Awareness
Beawareduringperformancesandrehearsals
Listenand
watch
forpotentialtempoproblemssothatyouareprepared
tosolvethemwhentheyoccur
Moveyoureyesconstantlysurveytheband
Watchthefeetofthemusiciansmarchingofftempo,playingofftempo
Beawareofsounddelay
Clapping
Itisnotrecommended
Clearlyconductedpatternisvisuallystrongerthanclapping
Itisoftenadvisabletoavoidvocalorotherauralcommands
Purevisualcuesarethestrongestandclearestmethodstoprovidinga
tempo
SettingtheTempo
Percussionistsneedaconsistenttempo

Windsfasttemposcanbetechnicallychallenging,slowtemposcancause
enduranceissues
Thecolorguardsabilitytoperformisgreatlyaffectedbytempo
Variationsintemposwillchangethelengthoftheentireshow
Tempoplaysalargefactorincreatingtheproperstyleandmood
Workouttemposelectionsbasedonarrangementrecommendations,
otherrecordings,capabilitiesofyourband,andthewishesofthedirector
Metronome
Determineexactmetronomemarkingofeachpieceandsectionduringthe
show
Assignaspecificmarkingtoanychanges
Writedownthemarkings,memorizethem
Usethemetronometochecktempobeforestartingeachtune
HavethemetronomeoverthePAfordifficultpassages
Singthepartsoverthemetronome
Havesectionsplayalongwiththemetronome
Ensurethatallsectionalsarebeingrehearsedatthecorrecttempos
Recordeachperformanceandcheckforaccuracyperformancepressures
mayleadtoselectionofadifferenttempo
Usethemetronomefordrillrehearsals
Wearheadphoneswithalinetothemetronomekeepyourselfconsistent
whileyoutestthebandsabilitytofollowyou
AssistwithMusicianship
Conductthemusic,notjustthebeats
Showdynamics,phrasing,expression,emotion,etc.
InspireMusicianstodoTheirBest
Demonstrateloveandpassion
Showmanship
Addflareforboththeaudienceandband
Conveyenthusiasmandexcitement
Rules
Allbeatsaredownbeats
Allbeatsrebound
Allstrikethefocalpointorplane
Sizeofpatterncorrespondstotempo
or
dynamics,
not
both
Duringconsistenttempos,allreboundsareeven
Styleisan
Opinion
Factscomefirst
Experience>Rules

Themoreyoulearn,themorerulesyoucanbreak
Keepthebasicsasguidelinesforpersonalizationandadvancedtechniques
IngredientsforConducting
Form
Movement
Patterns
Allbeatsconsistofsamepattern,bounce,andrebound
Allreboundsarethesamesize
FastTempo
Smallpatternsandrebounds
Elbowsbecomethepivotinsteadoftheshoulders
Movementisintheforearm
SlowTempo
Largepatternsandrebounds
Shouldersarepivotpoints
Movementisintheentirearm
PatternVariations
Widevariety
Evennessiskey
NeverMirrorCrossPatterns
Pulse
Drivingbeat
Questions
Howmanypulsesarethere?
Whatisthetimesignature?
Whichbeatpattern(s)isappropriate?
Listening
Heareverygroup,notjustthemelody
Melody,harmony,countermelody,bassline,percussion,etc.
Knowthepercussionparts
SimplePulse
Duplemeter
CompoundPulse
Triplemeter
Asymmetric
Anycombinationofsimpleandcompound
PreparatoryBeat
Indicatestempo,breath,startpoint,dynamics,mood,style,focalpoint,
balance

Donotpreptheprep
VaryingBeatCountOffs
8beatfasttempos
1beatslowtempos
Howmanybeatsarenecessaryforthebandtocomeintogether?
TempoChange
Clearchangeinreboundsize
Whereisbeat2?
Conductingdoesnotconveywhatbeat,butrather
when
thebeatis
Pulseisessential
NeverCrossHands
VideoPerformance/Rehearsal
Checkconsistencywithandwithoutsound
Useametronometocheckaccuracy
ExtremeTempos
Norebounds
Fullarmextension
Energyintheupperarms
ActivitiestoPracticeandImproveConducting
Mirrorsomeoneshandsesp.formultipleconductors
Useanobjectasastablefocalpoint
Hitafocalpointwitheyesclosed
Tiehairtiearoundfingersandwristuseforwristflickmotion
Conductwithchalkormarkersonaboard,closeeyes
ThePercussionSection
Makeanextraefforttolearntheirmusic
Thoroughlyunderstandboththewindandpercussionparts
Beawareoftempodiscrepancies
Spendtimeconductingpercussionduringtheirsectionalrehearsals
Recordthepercussionsection
Studythesoundoftheirpartsandgainabetterunderstandingofhowthey
fitinwiththewindsectionsmusic
Beabletohearthepercussionsectionbyitselfandinstantlyknowwhat
sectionofthemusictheyareperforming
Keepaneyeonthepercussionistsfeet
Thedrummajorshouldconductthroughthepercussionfeature
TempoProblems
Notalwaysasolution,sometimesyoucanonlypreventtheproblems
Predictthemandworkthemoutinrehearsal

Remainonthepodium
Conductthebasicpattern,emphasizingpulse
Donotemphasizebeatonealone
Iftempoisdividedacrossband,gowithstrongestvoice,usually
percussionormelody
Ifnecessary,cutcertainsectionsoff
Iftheproblemoccursatthebeginningofapiece,cutthegroupoffand
startthepieceoveragain
Maintaincomposure
Bepreparedandalert
Workoutanytempoproblemsorpossiblepitfallsinrehearsal
Makesuretorehearseanytroublespotsafteratumbleonthefield
GettingtheBandtoFollow
Beaconductorworthwatchingdontbeahumanmetronome
Beexciting,communicateexpression,cues,dynamicchangeswithstyle
andenthusiasm
Iftheentireshowmaintainsaconsistent4/4tempo,itisalmost
unnecessarytowatchtheconductorconsiderselectingmusicwithmore
variationsinmeterortempo
Usewarmupstotrainthebandtofollowusethistimetovarytempos,
fermatas,andcutoffs
Giveconstanteyecontact
Bepreparedtostopandcorrectsectionsorindividualswhodonotfollow

ScorePreparation:
EasyViewingandConducting
MarkinMusic
Meter(changes),Tempo(changes)
Irregulartimingsritardando,accelerando,etc.
Dynamics,doublingparts,accents,entrances
Cues,melodicentrances
ConsolidateScore
Createasmallchartwiththeessentialinformation
IdentifyPotentialProblems
Tempochanges,technicallychallengingpassages,etc.
Keysignature,accidentals,rhythms,technique,range,intonation
Askdirectorforassistance
SelfPreparation
Knowthemusic

 Sing,count,claprhythms
Notereleasepointsonsustainedpitches
Understandandknowthepercussionpart
Rememberthecolorguard
Memorizerehearsalnumbers
Conducttomp3recording
Bepreparedto
lead
themusiciansonthepiece
Practicewithmetronome
TotheBand
Acknowledge/pointoutdifficultpassages
Assistwiththeunderstandingofrhythmsandtempoalterations
Definearticulations
Clarifyreleasepoints
KnowtheMusic
Knowtheparts
Memorizehowitsounds
Memorizehowitlooks
BeingaLeader:
Commitment,NotConvenience
ThinkOutsidetheBox
Whatisaleader?

Enthusiastic Dedicated

Creative

Honest

Hopeful

Openminded Proud

Passionate

Kind

Caring

Supportive

Reliable

Inspiring

Memorable

Focused

Responsible

Committed Trustworthy

TheBandIsYourMirror
Theywillmagnifyyourmood
BestPerformanceareAlways<BestPractices
TheFiveEs
Enthusiastic
Energetic
Excellent
Excited
Intense
IfYouFailtoPlan,PlantoFail
TeachingOutline

Confident

Social

Explainanddemonstrate
Stepbystep
Graduallyincreasespeed
Observe,analyze,correct
Runthrough
AlwaysUsePSP
P
raise,
S
uggestion,
P
raise
TheFiveLaws
People>Titles
>90%ofleadershipisbasedonattitude,10%skill
Wisdom>Knowledge
Youcantleadothersuntilyouleadyourself
Youremeasuredbywhatyougive
Youcanonlygivewhatyouhave
NegativeLeadersOutweighPositiveLeaders
6:1
Communication
Verbal10%effective
Visual25%
Tactic80%
Intuitive
BeingKind>BeingRight
TheFourCornerstones
Expectmore,tolerateless
Choosetounderstandbeforebeingunderstood
Actlikeyouwanttobe,andyoullbelikeyouwanttoact
Whateveryouwantiswhatyougiveaway
Youcantharvestsomethinguntilyouplanttheseed
BeingRightCanEncouragetheWrongBehavior
ServetheFollowers
BringtheBandUpwithYou
TaketheTimetoListen
ComfortZone
Pullpeopleout
Mustbe:
Safeeliminatetherisks
Challengingcounterlaziness
Encouraginginspirecourageandbravery
LEADERS

L
istenmore
Aremore
E
nthusiastic
A
cknowledgemore
Aremore
D
edicated
Havemore
E
nergy
Aremore
R
esponsible
Aremore
S
ensitive
Maturity
Selfishnessdependent
IndependentI/me
Cooperationagreetodisagree,we/us
Givingaskingnothinginreturn
ReasonsforFear
Failureembarrassment
Successrecognition,beinginthespotlight
Rehearsal
Teachingnewmaterial
Cleaningimprovingmaterial
GoalOrientedspecificgoalinmind
Excellencenothingbutthebestproduct
RunThroughAtoB,toptobottom
UseNames
LevelsofLearning
Learnnoneofthematerial
Learnsomeofthematerial
Learnmostofthematerial
Learnallofthematerial
Learnallandmore
Learnfromobservation
Createnewmaterial
IILSST
IfItLooksStupid,StopThem!
Rule#1TheDirectorisAlwaysRight
Rule#2WheninDoubt,RefertoRule#1
TheStagesofInsecurity
Shy
Smartoff
Actsilly
Conform

Apathy
Breakthrough
AvoidConfrontationontheField
Annunciate
Haveclearandpercussivespeech
PraiseinPublic,CriticizeinPrivate
DemandPerfection
Ifitssloppy,stopandstartagain
Discipline
Establishastandardattheveryfirstrehearsal
Relaxoncethebandisincontrol,ifappropriate
Ifthebandisnotincontrol,raisingthestandardinthemiddleofthe
seasonisnearlyimpossible
ChooseYourBattlesCarefully
Avoidmakingabigdealabouteveryproblem
Actinamannerthatshowsacleardifferencebetweenaminorproblem
andamajorproblem
Dontpanicateveryissuethatarises
FromGeorge

Makeacommitmenttohelpeverybandmemberimprovehis/her
performanceabilitythroughyourgoodteachingandencouragement
and
ensure
that
they
getthemostrewardingexperiencepossibleasa
resultoftheirinvolvementwithyouandthebandprogram.
StarredThoughts
Commitment,notconvenience
Thinkoutsidethebox
Thebandisyourmirror
Bestperformance<bestpractice
Ifyoufailtoplan,plantofail
Spaceweakensthegroup
Younevergetasecondchanceatafirstimpression
Beasthoroughlypreparedaspossible
Establisheyecontact
Findthekidhavingabadday,andmakeitbetter
Beingkindisalwaysmoreimportantthanbeingright
Ourlikenessesbringustogether,ourdifferenceskeepustogether
Youneverknowhowyouwillimpactsomeone
Beingrightcanencouragethewrongbehavior
Itswhoyouare,notwhatyoudo

Listenandunderstand
Bringtheband(up)withyou
Otherpeoplehavewhatwedont
Servethe80%,thefollowers
Involveeveryoneinthereteachingprocess
Ourjob:makethegrouplookgood
Precisionisdoingthesamethinginthesamewayatthesametime
Expectmore,tolerateless
Chosetounderstandbeforebeingunderstood
Somepeopledontknowthattheydontknow
You
areresponsiblefor
your
attitude
Lifeisaonewayroad,whynotenjoytheride
Breakthecomfortzone
Leadersmakepeopleadmireandrespectthemselves
Peoplewouldratherbewrongtogetherthanrightalone
Leadershipisalifestyle
Payitforward
Neverjudgeamanuntilyouvewalkedamileinhisshoes
Teachingshouldbeuplifting
Obstaclesaremadetobebroken
Beingaleaderisdoingtheuncomfortablething
Dontdismisspeople
Giveupgivingup
Lifeisachoice
Getupandwintherace
Rule#1:Thedirectorisalwaysright
Rule#2:Whenindoubt,refertorule#1
Proveyourethebestforthejob,thenkeepprovingit
Getapersonality
Behumble
Understandthatmembershavedifferentpriorities
Makeroomforeveryone
Fourthingstodoinabadsituation
Changeit
Acceptit
Quit
Complain(Bad!!!)
Isntthereenoughhatredintheworld?
Beatthecenterofthecircle

Dontchooseyourfriendsbasedontheirpopularity
Supportothersbeforetheyshowsupportforyou
Learntodiffuseaconfrontation
Choosenottoargue
Traditionsaremeanttobechanged
Goodonesevolve,badonesdisappear
Canbegreatifyouunderstandtheirpurposeandiftheyhavevalue
Positivescomeandgo,negativesaddupandlinger
Thereisnoroomforhazing
Strivetobeacaringteacher
Giveeverybodythesecondbenefitofthedoubt
Sendthemathankyounote
Saythankyou
Avoidconfrontationonthefield
Itsnotyou,itstheposition
Successisinthedetails
Applyyourknowledge
Wisdom>knowledge
Changeyourtonewhentalkingtoanindividual
Youreatyourbestwhenthingsareattheirworst
Thereisnoshortcuttolife
Peoplelearnbetterinthepresenceofjoy
Whatareyougoingtoleavebehind?
Getaresponse
Beateacher,notascreamer
Ifyourepositive,nonewexperienceisabadone
Educationisrequired,learningisnot
Ihear,IforgetIsee,IrememberIteach,Iunderstand
Weonlyhave24hours,useitbetter
Dontgiveintotheego
W>H>W
WhyInspiration
HowAffirmation
WhatInformation
Competition>Cooperation>Creation
Followaprocedure
Dontacceptmediocrity
Leadershipcooperationiskeytoagoodleadershipteam
Pressurecancreatediamonds

Practicemakespermanent
Dontoverdoit
Veteransareonthesameplaneasrookies
Dontneglectoldmembers
Drawnewmembersin
Thetriangleofconducting
Approachpeople
Dotheextrawork
UnityandUniformity
Cometogetherattheendoftheday
Becomeintersectional
Itcouldalwaysbeworse
Dontprojectmistakes
Powerthroughbeingnervous
Changecomesfromyou
Legacyagiftthatislefttoyouthatisyourresponsibilitytopayforward
Younolongerhavetheluxurytoventelectronically
Supportthedirectorandtheprogram
Knowyourplace
Dedicateyourselftobeingagreatteacher
Dontgiveuponanybody
Youhaveabsolutelynopowerwhatsoever
Thedifferencebetweengoodandgreatisinthedetails
Givemembersownership
Experienceiswhatyougetwhenyoudidntgetwhatyouexpected
Youhavetogetpeoplesattention
Thinkaboutyourlegacy
Telldirectoraboutnegativeleadersanddangerousactivities

TheDrumMajorResponsibilities:
TheDirector
Outlinespecificdutiesandneedsforeachdrummajorbeforetheseason
Clarifywithhisleaders
Shalldetermineallactionsforwhichthemajor(s)isresponsible,andall
decisionsareathisdiscretion
TheFirstRehearsal
Bepreparedtomakeagoodimpression
Firstopportunitytoconductliveensemble
Practiceplentybeforehand

 Maketheappearanceofcompetenceandconfidence
EarningRespect
Takeanactivepartinteachingmarchingfundamentals
Bealeaderandateacherthisisimportantinestablishingrespect
Makeacommitment
not
toprojectnervousness
Ifyoudontexhibitprideandrespectforyourself,yourband
neverwill
Themembersmustgiveanyofthedrummajorsauthoritytohim
Therefore,thedrummajormust
earn
theirrespect
Dependsontwofactors
Howwellamajorhandleseachaspectofthejob
Howtheypersonallytreatthestudentsintheircommand
Beabletodealeffectivelywithotherpeople
Beequallyfirmandfairwith
all
membersthereisnoroomforfavoritism
Emphasizegood,strictdiscipline,butoccasionallyallowyourhumanside
tocomeout
Gettoknoweachmemberoftheunitpersonally
Activelyseektheadviceandsupportofyourleadershipteamthroughout
theseason
TheMajorRehearsal
Consultwiththedirectorpriortoeachrehearsaltodeterminewhatmusic
willberehearsed
Conduct,ifrequestedto
Leadthewarmuproutine
Tunetheband
Takechargeofspecificgroupsinsectionals,ifnecessary
Sitwithstudentsandplayalongiftherearenootherresponsibilities
Helpsotherstudentslearnandthemajortomemorizethecharts
TheMajorDrill
Consultwiththedirectorpriortoeachrehearsalforinstructions
concerningthedaysrehearsalplan
Organizeregularmeetingswithstudentleadership,keeptheminformed
Makesureallsectionsaregivenimportantinformationincludingall
groupsholdingseparaterehearsals
Makesureeachrehearsalstartsexactlyontime,evenifthedirectorisnot
present
Leadthebandthroughapreplannedwarmup
Assistthedirectorintheteachingofdrill
Keepthewhistlehandy,stopthebandifthedirectorrequestsit

 Provideonthespothelpwheneverneededarrangetomeetwithstudents
outsideofrehearsalifnecessary
Dontletthebandwastetimeinspireenthusiasm
Demonstratedrillfordifficultsets
Donot
wastethebandstimepracticingyourownroutines,suchasmace
techniquesorparaderoutines
Alwaysbeavailabletoassiststudents

Ifthedirectororanotherseniorinstructorbeginstospeaktothegroup,
makesurethatallattentionisdirectedtowardthatinstructor.Any
directionsbeinggivenbythedrummajorsorotherstudentleadership
mustinstantlystop
andwaituntiltheinstructorisfinished.

Quietlycorrectbandmemberswhilethedirectorrehearsesthegroup
Beattentiveduringannouncementssoyoucanclarifyinformationtoother
students
Thedrummajorcannotprojectdiscomfort
Bepreparedforthepredictedweatherduringarehearsal
Thedrummajormustworkevenhardertoleadbyexamplewith
enthusiasmanddedicationininclementweather
Maintaindisciplinewithintheunitatalltimes
MiscellaneousPerformances
Ensurethebandisontimeandsetupintheproperlocation
Takeattendance
Beabletomovethebandifnecessary
Familiarizeyourselfwiththeparaderouteaswellasthelocationof
camerasorjudges
Bepreparedtosalutewhenandifnecessary
Conducttheshow,ifrequired
Settheperfectexampleindress,leadership,punctuality,alertness,
precision,andattitude
FootballGames
Makesurebandmembersareseatedinthecorrectlocation
Maintainorderanddiscipline
Watchthegamecarefully
Bepreparedtoperformstandtuneswheneverappropriate
Ensurethatthebandenthusiasticallysupportsthefootballteamatall
times
Startthehalftimeshowasquicklyaspossible
Besurethatbandmembersarerespectfulofotherbands,footballteams,
andaudiencemembers


Situations:
YouCantTellMeWhattoDo!
Keepyourcool,donotengageinanargumentorconfrontation
Berespectfulandwillingtocooperate
Searchforapossiblecauseoftheinsubordination
Address/identifyotherproblems
InvolveanotherleaderSL,DM,Director,etc.
Provideasenseofresponsibilityandimportance
Bandischoice,andfollowingstudentleadersispartofband
Defendauthorityinarespectfulmanner
Setupatimeoutsideofrehearsaltoworkouttheproblem
DidntGetSelectedforDM
Acceptthefacts
Continuetobealeaderandrolemodel
RespecttheDM,theyarestillyourleader
Keepapositiveattitudeandoutlook
Discusssituationwithdirector,communicate
TheBandisTired
Askdirectorforwaterbreak
Remindmembersthatifworkisntdonenow,itwilljustbedonelater
Workingthroughitishelpingthegroup
Theres10minutesleft,itsalmostover
Beapositiverolemodeldontprojectyourownexhaustion
Berelatable/humanexpressunderstandingandsympathy,butcontinue
topoweron
Emphasizeimportanceoftheworkbeingdone
Beenthusiasticandcooperative
DisrespectfulMembers
Oftenreflectattitudeofstudentleadershipparticularlysectionleaders
Thebandisyourmirror
Addressattitudeproblemsinleadershipfixtheproblemfromthetop
down
Besuretohavepositiveandenthusiasticrolemodels
PersonalProblemsBetweenMembersandLeaders
Clarify/identifycauseofproblems
Apologizeforanymisconceptionsorinjuriesbekind
Cooperatetoseparatepersonalconflictfrombandtime
Understandthembeforebeingunderstood

 CantMakeTheDot
Takebiggersteps
Encouragemembers,motivatethemtoputmoreenergyintotheir
performance
Demonstratethepropertechnique
Stayintime
Reassurethemtheyarebeingobservedandcanbehelpedifneeded
Marchwiththem
Pullthesectionoutandrehearsethemoveasasectional
Ifdrillisphysicallyimpossible,consultdirector
ConfrontationsBetweenMembers
Monitorallsituationsdecidewhenitisnecessarytointervene
Mediatetheargument
Clarifyanyinformation,ifhelpful
Askthemtoreservepersonalissuesfortimeoutsideofband
Alertthedirectorifnecessary
Freshmen
Acceptthem
Helpthem
Boosttheirconfidenceandselfesteem
Promotetheacceptanceandinclusionofyoungmembers
Beinclusiveinallaspects

SkillsandCleaning:
Feet,Horns,Chin,Posture
Notalkinginsacredpositions
Ready,FIAR
Usestudentswithgoodtechniqueasmodelsforothers
Teachviaobservationanddemonstrate
Reteacholdmembers
Methodicallyevaluateeachmemberstechnique
Successisinthedetails
Aimforuniformityacrossallmembersandallsections
Createaunitthatcanmarchinunitysamemarktime,sameattention,etc.
Precisioniskey
Excellence

Attitude:
SupplementedbyMTHbandmembers
Avoidspreadingrumors,discussingpeoplebehindtheirbacks,etc.
Maintainapositiveattitudeaboutyourpeers
Addressconflictsinarespectfulandopenmanner
Positive:Negative=6:1
80%arethefollowerstheyswingtowardstheheavierside
Avoidselectingnegativeleadersforleadershippositions
Supporttheprogramanditsmembers
Serveyourpeers
Leadershippositionshavenopower,DMincluded
Youarenotfundamentallybetterthanthosearoundyou
Servetheband
Inspireyourpeers
Droptheego
Stepoutofyourowncomfortzone
Dotheuncomfortablething
Kindnessisalwaysmoreimportantthanbeingright
Youdontgetasecondchancetobekindtosomeone
Becommittedandopenminded
Embracesuccessandsignificance
Bepreparedandcompetent
Developshowmanshipandalwaysdisplayconfidence
Giveconstructivecriticismwithoutbeingabrasive
Yourfirstconcernistohelpthemembersimprovethemselvesandtheband
Encouragecooperation,respect,andfriendship
Gettoknoweveryoneinthebandorinyoursection
Bewillingtoshareyourfriendshipwitheveryone
Includestudentswhoareoftenleftoutorrejected
Supportsomeonewhosecooperationhasbeenquestionable
Acceptpeopleastheyare
Onceyoulabelsomeonenegatively,itisunlikelythattheywillbewillingto
cooperatewithyouanditislikelythatyouareundeservingoftheircooperation
Respectisatwowaystreet
Avoidsarcasmandnastinesswhencorrectingmistakes
Beaproblemsolver
Acceptthefactthatmanyotherswillnotsharethesamelevelofdedicationasyou
Tryandunderstandwhyeachpersonisamemberoftheband
Helpeachstudentachievetheirgoalsandmakeimprovements

OurProgram:
SupplementedbyMTHbandmembers
Involvetheveteransandtherookies
Pullinthenewguys,andkeepintheoldones
Reteachtheprocedures
Build/recalltheskills
Reinforcetheinformation
Involveasmanypeopleaspossible
Enforceprecisionandintensity
Dontlosethestudentswhiletheyrelearning
Allowthemtimeandspacetocatchuptoyou
Andthenraisethebaragain
Beencouraging,notabraggart
Donotpracticeorperformforapplause
Doitforpride,honor,selffulfilment,enjoyment,excitement,and
selfrespect
Avoidspendingtoomuchtimeoncrowdpleasersandflamboyance
Havepositiveenergy
Avoidmiscommunicationsornoncommunications
Involve,cooperatewith,andrespectallmembersofleadership
Acooperativeandcohesiveteamwillbegreatfoundationsforsuccess
Letpeoplequit
PlanandOrganize
Inadvance,inwriting,indetail
Transparency
Behonestwithallmembers
Donotattempttocoverthingsup,particularlyanymistakesorpoor
decisions
Acceptandembracemistakesinfrontofthegroup,withthepromiseto
rightthewrong
MultipleDrumMajors
FromGeorge:
Wheneverthereismorethanoneconductoronthefield,
onepersonmustbeassignedtocontrolthetempoandallothersmust
maintainconstanteyecontactwithhimtoensurethattheyareall
conductingthesametempoatalltimes.

SelectingaDrumMajor:
FromGeorge
Searchforthestudentwiththemostpotentialwhocanbetrainedtofillthe
position
Offerclassestoteachcandidatesabouttheposition,responsibilities,andtohelp
thempreparefortheevaluation
Provideinstructiononconducting,callingcommandsinablockorindrill,
teachingprocedures,andafewothertechniquessuchasmacehandling
Seniordrummajorscanteachtheseclasses
Holdclasseswellinadvancebeforeauditions
Allowscandidatestimetolearnandpractice
Directorhasagoodopportunitytoevaluateeachcandidatestruepotential
Manyqualifiedcandidateswillneedtobeencouragedtoapply
Thedirectorshouldconstantlybelookingforstudentswhopossessthe
qualitiesthatmakeagooddrummajor
Qualities
Coordinationmarchingstyle,dignity,andaccuracy
Musicianshippotentialtobegoodconductors,goodrhythmskills,good
ear

Manydirectorshesitatetoremovetheirbetterplayersfromthe
playingensemble,yethavingagooddrummajoroftenprovesto
beworththetradeoff.

Attitudeenthusiasm,openmindedness,optimism,selfdiscipline,pride,
anddedication,amongothers
Personalityestablishsuccessfulworkingrelationships,abilitytoproject
confidenceandcontrol,connectwithmembersofthebandandthe
audience

Itissometimesdifficult,however,topredictastudentspotential
forprogressonthebasisofpersonality,becausethepressuresand
responsibilitiesoftheposition,combinedwiththepotentialfor
individualrecognitioncanbringaboutmanychangesinayoung
personsdevelopingpersonality.Thesechangescanbenegativeor
highlypositive.

Donotplacetoomuchemphasisonpersonalitywhenmakingthefinaldecision
Theneedfordevelopingandmaintaininganappropriatepersonalityshouldbe
consistentlystressed
Procedures
Holdauditions/evaluationsinlatefallorearlyspring
Numberofjudgesisatdirectorsdiscretion

 Judgesmayconsistentofstudentleadership,formerdrummajors,other
banddirectors,otherinstructors,orotherpersonsdeterminedbythe
director
EvaluationsandscoringguidelinesTBDbydirector

TheLastLecture:
FromthemindofHeidiSarver
Greatestperformancesarealwayslessthanyourgreatestrehearsal
Proveyourethebestforthejob
Keepprovingit
Earnandkeeprespect
Behumble
GetapersonalityTheStory
DoIlikemyself?
Dootherslikeme?
Understandthatmembershavedifferingpriorities
Otheractivities,responsibilities,commitments,religiousduties,etc.
Makeroomforeveryone
Itsnotyou,itstheposition
TheSantaStory
YoubelieveinSanta
YoudontbelieveinSanta
YoubecomeSanta
YouletothersbeSantaforyou

TheDrumMajorEgo:
BeProud,butHumble
YourPerformanceShouldSpeakforItself
Donotboast
ThePosition
Youaremorevisiblethanothersbecauseofyourlocation
Thisdoesnotmeanyouarebetterthananyothers
ProvetoBeWorthyofRespect
Understandeveryfacetofyourjobandmakeacommitmenttoshowhis
sincererespecttotheothersinvolved
FromGeorge

Occasionally,Ihaveevencomeacrossafewdrummajorswhoafterall
oftheir16to18yearsoflife,feeltheyarebetterequippedtodecidewhat
isgoodforthebandthantheirbanddirectors!Itmustbeemphasized

thattheprimaryresponsibilityofeverydrummajoristouseallthe
knowledgeandskillshepossessestohelpthebanddirectordevelophis
program.Asthedrummajorbecomesmoreandmoresuccessful,it
becomesnecessarytomakeaconsciousefforttomaintainhis
downtoearthprospective.

ClosingRemarks:
Icompiledthisinformationinhopesthatstudentsanddirectorsofnowand
futureyearswillusethistobetterthemselvesandtheprogram.Therearemanythings
inneedoffixingandattention,andenthusiasmaswell.Thismayserveasageneral
guidetoleadership,aguidebookforthedrummajors,aresourceforstudents,areferral
forthedirector,oranyotherpurposethatitmaybeneededfor.Weallhavethetools
necessarytomakeourselvesandourbandbetter,sowhynotapplyourknowledge.
ThreeyearsoftheDrumMajorAcademywasmorethanIevercouldvehopedor
askedfor,anditwasthemostenrichingexperienceIveeverhadthepleasureofbeinga
partof.DontletthistraditiondieDMAisaninvaluableresource.WhileImaynot
havebeenthebestdrummajor,theskills,tools,andgeneralinformationIwasableto
learnthroughDMAandbeingaleaderhavevastlyimprovedmylifeandmy
relationshipswithothersininnumerableways.Bandisaplaceforeveryone.Ihavehad
thebestoftimesasapartofit,andIhavemadecountlessfriends.AsIlookback,I
considertheimpactIhadonothers,andIonlyhopeIwasaspositiveasthoseIlookup
to.Keepyourheartsandmindsopen,andembracethosearoundyou.Fouryearsisa
shorttime,makeitcount.

Theconductordependsforhispoweronhisabilitytomakeotherpeople
powerful.Myjobistoawakenpossibilityinotherpeople.Iftheireyesareshining,you
knowyouredoingit.WhoamIbeingthatmyplayerseyesarenotshing?Itreally
makesadifferencewhatwesay.

BenjaminZander

IthasbeensaidthatlifesstrangestsecretisthatWebecomewhatwethinkof
mostofthetime.Sostartthinkingandstartdoing!Andremember,youcanbe
anythingthatyouwanttobe!

GeorgeN.Parks

DonovanDicks

Contacts:
hisarver@drummajor.org
dmablog.drummajor.org