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as the 'central' drum major by standing on a platform placed on the 50-yard line, while the other two are placed on the 30-yard or 40-yard lines. Any other drum majors are placed on yard lines closer to the end zone, or to the rear of the band for about-turn maneuvers. A member of the on-field band may take a position as drum major temporarily if the band's movements require an additional drum major in the front or back or if the lead drum major performs. Some drum majors serve as leadership positions and can conduct, but prefer to march. These drum majors serve as replacements in case one or more of the permanent drum majors (usually older members of the band) can't make it to a performance, but still continue to practice their conducting abilities. Depending upon the region, field conducting may be done by the band director, allowing the drum major(s) to play a more important role in the performance by marching with the rest of the band.
685:, drum majors are senior officers who are responsible for discipline and order of the band off the field, in addition to performance duties. They often command the band as an independent unit even off the playing field, and are treated according to their rank. In these bands, drum majors also march on the field and frequently use maces. Uniforms are in traditional military style; consequently, drum majors are distinguished by rank and unit insignia or distinguishing uniform modifications. For example, a drum major of the aforementioned Aggie Band could be recognized by his prominent wear of a whistle and chain, which is worn with the uniform even when not performing band-related duties. (Similar clothing in other bands may include sashes, unique headwear, or differently colored uniforms.) An example can be seen
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commands to cause the band to start marching and/or playing according to the planned performance. This requires timing skills on the field or street, so that the band starts and finishes at the designated spot. As the name implies, the drum major in reality, commands the drum section of the band – whistle commands are heard first, drums sounds ensue, and then music fills the air. The drum major usually wears a more elaborate uniform that is representative of the authority and responsibility of a field commander. A tall hat, such as the busby, is often part of the uniform in most
American-style bands.
855:(SWC) has offered a Drum Major Clinic since 1952 and claim to be the nation's first drum major camp. The clinic teaches three styles of drum majoring including traditional, corps, and mace. Other training methods include three levels of conducting, three levels of showmanship, fundamentals of drill design, verbal commands, daily individual evaluations using video tapes, leadership training, score study, teaching and cleaning drill, multi-drum major help, salutes, and mace. The clinic is hosted yearly on the campus of
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major's job to make that band director's job easier). Most drum majors attend drum major camps to learn to conduct and teach their band. Drum majoring is usually thought of as a leadership responsibility that cannot be taught, and the person selected for the position is ready (or the closest to ready) to take the responsibility. To be a good drum major can never be taught or fully trained to one person.
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849:. The Drum Major Academy is held at various locations around the United States, by 2010 the academy drew up to 3,000 students each year. DMA provides students with marching, conducting, and leadership training in preparation for their upcoming seasons. Parks, considered a national authority on drum majoring, personally led many of these camps until his death in September 2010.
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modification of the standard uniform. It can be as simple as extra shoulder decorations, a cape, different-colored plumes (which are feathers that go atop a helmet or hat), or a chain on the helmet, or as complicated as a specialized chest section or a different color uniform, which is designed to help the drum major stand out.
168:, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps and is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble, leading them while marching, and directing them what to play, when to play, the dynamic or volume of playing, and what
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The process of appointing high school drum majors varies based on the school, though it is recognizably up to the director's discretion as to whom to select, which is done typically through an audition process where potential drum major candidates are evaluated in some or all of the following skills:
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from the drum major(s). Salutes range in complexity from a simple hand-gesture to complicated routines involving many members of the band. The salute is traditionally the beginning of judging in a competition, and also signals the end of a band's show. A drum major is also responsible for calling the
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Drum majors lead bands and drum & bugle corps in the U.S. Drum & bugle corps are predominant in Europe and Japan. The U.S. is the only country where most high schools, colleges, and universities have marching bands and drum majors. Drum majors primarily use whistle and baton or mace and vocal
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A drum major may be trained in a number of different ways depending on the resources of his or her home program and the drum major's own experience. In many schools, the band director actually refuses to personally teach the drum major conducting and leadership (because it is supposed to be the drum
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Based on how large the band is, high school marching bands have anywhere from one to four drum majors who are responsible for conducting and leading the band. Drum majors are often ranked, so that the head drum major occupies the center position during the entire show, or each drum major takes turns
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One aforementioned pattern is the "Down-in-out-up" pattern.The pattern is shown by the first beat being straight down and normal. The second beat goes down then after the focal point it goes in a 45-degree angle to the inside. The third beat is when the arm is coming back from the angle to the focal
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A marching band or drum corps drum major (field conductor) is in charge of holding the band or corps together, and directing the entire band or corps during shows and competitions. This drum major can come from any section of the performing unit: percussion, winds, or color guard. They are chosen on
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During a field show the drum major is usually evaluated by a different judge than the rest of the band. How the drum major is judged depends on the region and style of the band and personal opinions of the judge themselves. Typical captions for judging a drum major include conducting, communication
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A marching band review (parade performances). Because of the street setting, there are usually no change in formations. Unlike field shows, there is an added section specifically on the drum major's performance at band reviews. The drum major is scored based on the execution of the opening routine,
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In addition, the drum major serves as the liaison between the band director and the band. Essentially, a drum major is the leader who keeps the tempo with the use of a baton or other forms of time-keeping, such as conducting. The drum major often holds the responsibility to keep the band organized
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The mace is a piece of equipment used to give certain commands when marching. Maces are used in
Scotland, England, India, and many American bands. Drum majors will typically have a mace position that when used along with an audible call will signal when to start marching, stop marching, and turn
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Drum majors have slightly different roles within the world of traditional show bands. Many college bands have drum majors who are very much part of the visual element of a field show. Rather than conduct as a corps-style drum major would, traditional drum majors often march on the field with the
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In addition to memorizing the music (between six and nine minutes of music is typical for high school marching bands, college bands and drum corps may have that much or more, up to more than eleven minutes of music) a drum major must memorize dynamics as well as tempo in order to provide proper
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Current drum majors use a variety of conducting patterns and styles that suit the needs of their respective marching bands and/or drum corps. The most commonly used pattern is called the "Down-in-out-up" pattern. During the 1970s and prior it was not uncommon for a stationary drum major to do a
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American style is among the most common styles displayed in the United States. Drum majors of this style will often wear a uniform different from the rest of the band (which may either be a show-specific uniform, or a custom uniform based on the school's uniform or colors) and is a slight
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their musical abilities, leadership qualities, attitude, and passion for the sport. The Drum Major is the highest-ranked band participant, usually followed by the captain(s) of the drumline, then by guard captain(s), pit captain(s) horn sergeant(s), section leaders and band officers.
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If there is an awards ceremony at a marching competition (field or parade), the drum major(s) usually represent their band and accept any awards. The drum major(s) will usually prepare a separate, shorter salute in order to respectfully accept awards that their band has earned.
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To see one to three drum majors in most ensembles is typical. In some ensembles, drum majors switch positions during the show to allow all individuals a chance to conduct from the central podium. Occasionally, they may also serve in other capacities such as performing a
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is traditional in many schools). During dance routines, they often move along with the bands. As traditional drum majors have much more of a visual role than corps drum majors, there are often many more of them, sometimes up to ten drum majors to a single band.
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between drum majors, marching, style, showmanship, and leadership. Judge's comments will often be recorded by a hand held tape recorder and supplied to the drum majors along with the rest of the band's scores and feedback from the competition.
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Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the role of the drum major to discuss selfishness, consumerism, servitude and love in his famous sermon "The Drum Major
Instinct". It has been exploited for education, religion and even
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or corps director assumes administrative responsibility. In the absence of the band director, the drum major often carries the authority of the director or instructor and assumes complete leadership over the band.
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Some high school drum majors do not wear a different uniform, however, and are recognized by their field or parade position. It is mostly a director's discretion, and is more common only on the high school level.
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band to attention, beginning, and conducting the show. The drum major may use a whistle, vocal, or hand commands to accomplish this. This practice goes back to the military origins of the marching or field band.
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have a particularly prominent role. While most of them do not conduct as much as a corps drum major, they lead the band onto the field, often after having several seconds for a short performance by themselves (a
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The mace is also a very important part of the performance aspect of a drum major. Drum majors usually spin their mace and perform tricks such as the prop-spin, roundhouses, tosses, and parallels.
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point at the angle and hits the point and goes to the outside at the same 45-degree angle. The last beat, fourth, goes from the outside angle back to the focal point. Then the process repeats.
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it appropriately. While also knowing the tempo the drum major has to know what specific pattern he or she needs to perform in order to accommodate physical stamina or musical style.
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Baton is another a piece of equipment used to give certain commands when marching that's used almost exclusively by certain
American bands. batons serve the same purpose as a mace.
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When performing a field show, the drum major might conduct from a large podium and direct the band. This helps the band stay together and stay on-tempo.
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Some drum majors will use a whistle to give the audible parts of commands instead of shouting them verbally. This is most common in the
American style.
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When a band is not marching, the drum major may conduct from a podium so that the performers can better see the conducting of the drum major.
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and some high school marching bands. The
Scottish style can be divided into two broad categories: Scottish daywear and Scottish regimental.
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The drum major was also given duties in the battalion at several points in history, which included the administering of military justice (
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Band reviews, especially in
California, are among the most popular competitions schools take part in (see "Band Reviews" section above).
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In
British and European tradition, a drum major usually wears the same uniform as the rest of the band with the additional of a diagonal
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The drum major position is one of leadership, instruction, and group representation, but usually not administrative duties. A
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Conducting, the ability to successfully call and execute commands, mace/baton flourishing, and overall leadership abilities.
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and pipe bands around the 18th century, the position of the drum major was adapted to those ensembles.
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in 1650. Military groups performed mostly duty calls and battle signals during that period, and a
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band, using a mace or baton to keep time and flourish their own movements. Drum majors in the
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salute routine, beating time, vocal/whistle/hand commands, and overall control of the band.
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Maintain the Corps of Drums' standard of military drill and choreograph marching movements
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845:(DMA) is a nationwide summer camp for high school drum majors. It was founded in 1978 by
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In addition to the duties above, the
British Army also included a royal appointment of
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Defending the drummers and bandsmen (The drums and bugles were communication devices)
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Drum major and infantry musician of the line in
Napoleon's First Empire army, 1810
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Both high school and college field shows usually begin and end with a hand
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1051:"Ram Trucks Commercial With Martin Luther King Jr. Sermon Is Criticized"
479:(typically without long horse hairs), some sort of formal jacket, and a
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260:) to any member of the battalion, and collecting the battalion's post.
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Drum majors are responsible for knowing the music of the ensemble and
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to score higher on dress inspection), pipers hoses and flashes, a
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Deutsche Seite der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Drum Major Deutschland
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The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute
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The Corps of Drums' overall standards of dress and deportment
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high-lift mark time on the podium for an audible and visual
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761:"World Drum Major Association's Judge's Conducting Rubric"
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Traditionally, a military drum major was responsible for:
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744:"World Drum Major Association's Judge's Conducting Sheet"
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Drum majors in Scottish Regimental will typically wear a
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779:"Tom Peacock's American Competitions Field Conducting"
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Drum majors in Scottish daywear will typically wear a
507:(typically with long horse hairs), a jacket, and a
66:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
619:West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band
374:The examples and perspective in this section
214:The position of drum major originated in the
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1127:Drum major in France through the iconography
796:"Tom Peacock's American Competitions Parade"
986:. George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. 2005
392:, or create a new section, as appropriate.
601:Learn how and when to remove this message
408:Learn how and when to remove this message
126:Learn how and when to remove this message
455:The Scottish style is commonly found in
1008:. Smith Walbridge. 2005. Archived from
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737:Examples of judge's evaluation sheets:
1112:Tom Peacock's Drum Major Competitions
1072:The Regimental Drum Major Association
1049:Maheshwari, Sapna (5 February 2018).
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583:adding citations to reliable sources
64:adding citations to reliable sources
1092:George N. Parks Drum Major Academy
1087:Smith Walbridge Clinics Drum Major
1082:Doug Brassel's Drum Major Resource
843:George N. Parks Drum Major Academy
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249:Corps of Drums administrative work
160:is the leader of a marching band,
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617:3 college drum majors from the
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439:British / Other European Styles
75:"Drum major" marching band
51:needs additional citations for
807:High School Level Band Reviews
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719:High School Level Field Shows
243:of all Corps of Drums members
1117:World Drum Major Association
551:United States marching bands
1102:European Drum Major Website
963:The Method Behind The Music
857:Eastern Illinois University
388:, discuss the issue on the
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667:2010 ACC Championship Game
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679:Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
146:Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
728:Judging and adjudicating
1032:""Drum Major Instinct""
933:"History of Drum Major"
853:Smith Walbridge Clinics
824:Selection and auditions
663:The Marching Virginians
144:The drum major for the
1097:The Drum Major Society
1077:Christ's Hospital Band
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937:History of Drum Major
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32:Drum major (military)
1147:Drum and bugle corps
1006:"Drum Major Clinics"
861:Charleston, Illinois
661:prepares to conduct
579:improve this article
386:improve this section
376:may not represent a
304:Assisting musicality
162:drum and bugle corps
60:improve this article
959:"Advanced Patterns"
337:drum major backbend
241:Military discipline
224:fife and drum corps
1055:The New York Times
1012:on 20 October 2011
957:Hollis, Benjamin.
893:Majorette (dancer)
867:In popular culture
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1038:. 25 April 2017.
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572:verification
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18:Drum majors
1136:Categories
914:References
888:Conducting
491:Regimental
457:pipe bands
398:April 2012
311:ritardando
290:conducting
154:drum major
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30:See also:
984:"History"
481:glengarry
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