Drum Majors - The Ego has landed

[Jock McSporran]

Is it just me? I have found that in many non-competing bands the DM's are just there to promote themselves. I am in a Scots non-competing band and a lot of the events I play at most of the DM's are a bunch of overdressed, pompous, failed players, who can't flourish and can't even get the mace signals right. I know in our band things run more smoothly when the DM isn't there, the tip gives the commands and the PM gives stands out for the cut-off's - no problem!

[Haddock Pastie]

Obviously no clue at all. There are plenty of drum majors who know how to play pipes or drums to very high standards and also compete as playing members of bands. Winning Bands! A drum major is not there to promote himself or take control of the music, that is the PMs job. A drum major is in charge of the drill and deportment of a band. If you notice bands that have drum majors, there M+D is generally much better than one without. The band also tend to conduct themselves in a more proffessional manner when on display. None of this crap you see band members smoking or drinking or generally making their band stand out like a sore thumb on a march past. They look stupid and give genuine hard working bands a bad name. A drum major stops that and gives a dynamic and better visual impression of a band that know what their doing.

[Spunky]

Davie,

Come over here and you'll see the kind of things Jock is talking about.
You should have seen the mess of a guy I had to march behind a couple of weeks ago. He was a disgrace. Couldn't stay in step if his life depended on it and didn't use any proper mace signals. He bear marched too. Before the parade he was talking himself up as though he had been on the British Army Drum Majors' course.
It's hard to keep the pipes going when you're laughing that much.

[Haddock Pastie]

That can be funny to see, but the Pm should be shot for letting him march in that state.

[Colonel644]

You can tell the difference in a band's D/M if he loves doing it or has been voted on or drawn the shortest straw and made the D/M.
And as always D/M's and P/M's should always be on level of communitcation that supercedes anything else with the P/M job in helping the band sound good and the D/M making the band look good, No attitudes at all!!!
I hate to do this but I'm going to use my band as an example, Kentucky United Pipes and Drums our Pipe Major Will Young is Probably one of the most talented people I have ever met, not only talented but also goes with whatever is best for the BAND. It's HIS exact words that go like this " In the circle watch the P/M, on the March, watch the D/M."
And alo I can't just mention Will here I have to mention everyone in the band, From Rick Clayburn who is the D/S and keeps our Drumline sounding top notch to our P/S Ross DeAeth who is one of the best.
Not leaving anyone out everyone in our band has a job no matter what and everyone does there job because it only helps the band in the end.
I'm leaving alot of names out here it seems but the dedication people have is great.
But I have to say that MY band has no egos with each other, no power struggles, everyone gets along. We eat together at games, we have fun toegether, and at nights after it's over , back at the hotel, we joke laugh and have a great time.
Now, why mention all that??? to show that it's not just the deportment of one person or attitude , it's the mind set deportment of band.
If you have a band that has a goal and a vision and eveyone has the same vision and mindset to work for it, there is no time for ego's. The only ego a band should have is when you are formed and playing and that ego should be to the other bands and judges in the muisc and look of the band, Not with each other.
:smokin:

[Abdpiper]

Having been in massed bands in Scotland, Ireland and the US, I can say it is the same everywhere -- there a few REALLY bad egos/DM who can give the rest a bad name. I think part of the problem with the ones in the US is that they all think they can do it just by watching a video or by reading a book once before looking at other DM's. Unfortunately they don't look at people like Kevin MacHeffner, Mickey Lugan Shaw, Jason Pagio etc who have won major prizes (or major prizes winners from other countries) but look at others with no clue at all who are dressed up like Christmas trees. Maybe they think that the more you wear the more you know :shrug:

In Scotland and Ireland, there are too many people telling the DM's who really need the help and they get all confused and use about 4 or 5 different styles making them look like a joke.

[Jock McSporran]

Yep Colonel, you make a very good point in your last paragraph, I think my band has lost focus recently. By the way I'm not downing DM's out of hand I have seen some really smart capable guys, but you all know the type I mean. Because they have such a high profile they can taint peoples perspective of a band, and really do the whole pipe band genre no favours what so ever.


"Scotland for Ever!"

[Angela]

Just wanted to follow up the Colonel's post....

Scott joined our band just a few short months ago. He didn't know us from Adam, but stuck around to see what was going on....

Since then, we have all gotten to know him and appreciate him. He is truly an asset to our band! It's great to be marching behind him and occassionally hear the loud "Clear the path" and see the mace going everywhere in flourishes at times.

If you didn't know... Mr. Scott is in the PPOD Thursday pic of the day this week.... :thumb:

[Colonel644]

Awww thank you Angela,,,, See what I mean guys my Band is the best!!!! Ms. Angela is top notch at teaching tenor flourishes along with Ms. Vicky Goodloe who keeps me in line, Not to Mention Mr. Lance Dahl who is probably one of the most supportive friends I've ever had.
With Kupd you don't just join a band, you join a family And espscially a big thank you to Mr. Barry Miller who is a great band president.

Leading this band on marches is one of the best honors I've ever had.

I'm sure there be more names and the very important jobs they do will come along, but it goes to show that when the band is out for one purpose and has a goal egos are not scheduled, that would take away from it all. :smokin:

[Colonel644]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jock McSporran:
[QB] Yep Colonel, you make a very good point in your last paragraph, I think my band has lost focus recently. By the way I'm not downing DM's out of hand I have seen some really smart capable guys, but you all know the type I mean. Because they have such a high profile they can taint peoples perspective of a band, and really do the whole pipe band genre no favours what so ever.


I think I understand what you mean, But I took this chance to brag on MY band for a bit, It is truly an honest to GOD great feeling ot be in a band where everyone gets along and it's made known from the beginning of that fact. I'm am truly a blessed person to be associated with these people, they are top notch , world class, and the greatest. Remember guys KUPD is only 2 years old and it seems that we are improving each time we hit the circle, Can you imagine what we will be doing in a few more years???? I plan on finding out......... maybe you should tooo

:smokin:

[JRM]

nothing more annoying than an overdressed ego driven peacock, or one that doesn't know how to signal clearly and efectively.

[Colonel644]

Originally posted by Bobby:
nothing more annoying than an overdressed ego driven peacock, or one that doesn't know how to signal clearly and efectively. But to get back on topic after my soap box spell, I agree totally with that, with alot of respect to those that have the peacock image without the ego :wink:

:smokin:

[Colonel644]

More follow up:

After having been to some games and seen examples of both I can say the the D/M's I'm meeting, Jim Thompson, Greg Cutliff, Doug Weisheitt, they are some top notch people, No attitudes and know what they are doing, I geuss you have to have a true love of being a D/M to do well at it ( as with anything).

I've enjoyed the comeraderie and learned alot by watching these guys,,,, I keep saying this over and over but the Scottish genre of Drum Major is a total different animal than anything else I've ever done. But as with anything I thinks it's well worth it and would like to see more Drum Major's and D/M's chatting about,,,,,,,,, :smokin: