So you want to be Drum Major...
Read this article: What makes a good Drum Major?
https://drummajor.org/good-drum-major
https://drummajor.org/good-drum-major
Duties of the Drum MajoR
(duties are not limited to the following)
Drum Major
1. Act as a liaison between all band (winds, percussion, and guard) students and director.
2. Oversee that all student leaders are doing their jobs; responsible for completing all duties if leaders are absent.
3. Will be in charge of and run all meetings of the executive leaders and/or student leadership team.
4. Conduct basic fundamentals at the beginning of each marching rehearsal.
5. Conduct proper warm-ups.
6. Direct and assist directors at all marching band rehearsals.
7. Prepare band for inspection before all performances -- inspect section leaders.
8. Assist other STUDENT LEADERs in their absence.
9. Be responsible for administering discipline (under the guidance of the director).
10. Keep the uniform room neat and orderly.
11. Be responsible for inventory of Marching uniforms and Marching Shakos.
12. Assist the Uniform Committee Parents in distributing and collecting uniforms before and after every performance.
13. Be the last one to leave after rehearsals and performances. Make sure that the instrument room, uniform room, and band room proper are clean, lights are turned off and doors are locked. The director will dismiss you.
14. Receive awards at competitions and festivals as the representative of the students and band.
15. Assist with officer clinics and auditions.
16. Lead by example and set high standards for yourself and in all aspects of the band program.
17. Exhibit and demand self discipline in the band.
18. Be positive!
(duties are not limited to the following)
Drum Major
1. Act as a liaison between all band (winds, percussion, and guard) students and director.
2. Oversee that all student leaders are doing their jobs; responsible for completing all duties if leaders are absent.
3. Will be in charge of and run all meetings of the executive leaders and/or student leadership team.
4. Conduct basic fundamentals at the beginning of each marching rehearsal.
5. Conduct proper warm-ups.
6. Direct and assist directors at all marching band rehearsals.
7. Prepare band for inspection before all performances -- inspect section leaders.
8. Assist other STUDENT LEADERs in their absence.
9. Be responsible for administering discipline (under the guidance of the director).
10. Keep the uniform room neat and orderly.
11. Be responsible for inventory of Marching uniforms and Marching Shakos.
12. Assist the Uniform Committee Parents in distributing and collecting uniforms before and after every performance.
13. Be the last one to leave after rehearsals and performances. Make sure that the instrument room, uniform room, and band room proper are clean, lights are turned off and doors are locked. The director will dismiss you.
14. Receive awards at competitions and festivals as the representative of the students and band.
15. Assist with officer clinics and auditions.
16. Lead by example and set high standards for yourself and in all aspects of the band program.
17. Exhibit and demand self discipline in the band.
18. Be positive!
Review these videos (and search for more videos on Drum Major auditioning):
How to Conduct (the conducting window)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6gnoTZ0xJ4&t=26s
Conducting 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 meters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Pk-33R2HM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdvHUJ88tao
Drum Major conducting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWnPat6coPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilyrdOHvywo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdjWprYJpCQ