The Day in the Life of a Drum Major

[AFMPiper]

Hi you guys! I'm doing an essay here in University for English. I am writing a personal profile essay and I decided that it would be really cool to interview a drum major. If anyone wants to help, please answer the following questions below:
What is a typical performance day like for you?
How did you become drum major?
What are some skills you teach your members?
What is the most important part of being a drum major?
Thanks so much! Feel free to add anything else you think would be interesting.

[Snooper]

Howdy Alexandria,

You may want to contact Kevin Macheffner. He is the moderator of the Drum Major forum, and overall good guy as well.

Good luck with your paper!

jim ryan

[annefrommass]

Hi Alexandria
I just started as a D/M myself. I started out as a highland dancer...when I was done dancing, I moved to tenor drumming. Now that I am unable to carry a drum because of a back injury, I am training as a D/M.
IMHO, the most important thing as a D/M is to carry yourself with pride. You need to show it in the way you dress, and the way you carry yourself. You are the person at the front for the parade, the one people watch. If you look sloppy, it reflects poorly on your band.
You also need to be a resource for your bandmates...on drill, deportment, band bylaws. Whatever you learn, you should be willing to pass on.
Just my two cents. Good luck on the paper.

[AFMPiper]

Still need some major help here pipe band family! I have to turn my paper in soon.

[Colonel644]

Originally posted by alexandria:
Hi you guys! I'm doing an essay here in University for English. I am writing a personal profile essay and I decided that it would be really cool to interview a drum major. If anyone wants to help, please answer the following questions below:
What is a typical performance day like for you?
First off is packing all your gear , uniforms, equipment, of which you have more than any one else in the band to wear.
Meet up at tent, find out position of comp circle , plan best route to move band from tent to comp and select spot that won't make Pipey to upset.
Check in with Senior Drum Major ( or If Senior DM check in with other DM's ), find out what's going on what tunes, routes, logistics, pass bourbon, laugh , in general have a good time and always be ready to pose for pictures with the public.
I know there are pictures of me stuck in somebody's screen saver in Tokyo.

How did you become drum major?

I was inspired to be a DM at the age of 8. I was taken to a military show and the President's own Band was there. after the show they did hearts & minds and the DM let me hold the Mace and really talked it up about how much fun it was. I was hooked. Went on being DM as freshman in HS, College, Pipe Bands.

becoming a scottish style DM has been exceptional hard for me because I come from a marching band back ground and the scottish way is alot different. and that fact head injuries from Mace, time lost in class with Mo cause she keeps you laughing, and it's a real challenge.

Dave Ricklis, Jim Thompson & Kevin MacHeffner are some of the people I've had the honor to sit under tuition with. each one so willing to help just for giggles.


What are some skills you teach your members?
Mace commands, and also I try to teach if you see your Drum Major turning a different direction , follow him. Don't leave him marching alone in front of a crowd, it's not pretty.

What is the most important part of being a drum major?

I'd agree with Anne about pride, but having a "presense" goes along with that as well. For the most part the general public will see the DM first and their first impression of how a band will play usually comes from how their DM carries their self.
Patience, is important. ability to motivate with out seeming a tryant helps, everyone is doing this as a hobby and mainly has fun.

and a sense of humor; For the love of GOD and all thing Holy, have a sense of humor with thick skin. DM's are the favorite targets of jokes and comments from band members. This comes from the fact that we wear a 5 tailed Feather bonnet and they have a 4 tailed feather bonnet. It's this jealousy of the extra "feathers in the hat" that cause the jokes to flow. ( Nah,, not really but it sounds cool and a chance to pick on the band members for a minute is always welcome )

Thanks so much! Feel free to add anything else you think would be interesting.

[Colonel644]

Oh and being an attention whore doesn't hurt anything either. We also are fond of shiny objects and extra things that jingle or glint on a uniform.

[Ken Hosey, Panama City FL P&D]

Miss Alexandria,
Welcome aboard to some of the best bunch of folks on the web. I agree with everything Anne said previously. Please PM me and I can relate a little more. Good luck gal.
Ken

Who, by chance, are you calling an "attention whore" Scott?

[annefrommass]

Attention whore!? Speak for yourself Scott! Although I do like shiny objects!

[Ken Hosey, Panama City FL P&D]

Hey Anne, you notice he hasn't answered my question yet? Perhaps Scott was looking in the mirror? As Steptoe's son said, "Filthy old man, filthy."
Beers y'all,
Ken

[Ken Hosey, Panama City FL P&D]

Just kiddin' wicha Scott! Probably came across wrong. Y'all coming to Stone Mountain this year?
Ken

[SUDSY]

The real history comes from and olde medieval lesson. "When you are being run out of town, stay just far enough ahead of the crowd that it looks like a parade."
Sounds right to me. Good luck on your paper.
Suds

[Colonel644]

:lol: well sorry guys , it's taken me a while to reply. I thoguht I was banned from the new forum just seems I needed to clear my cache out and try again..

I was speaking in general, I don't deny that anything I said applies to me as well. I'll accpet that, but some of you have to accpet it also. It's OK. this is the damned closest we have to a 12 step program.
:lol:

[Colonel644]

Originally posted by Ken Hosey, Panama City FL P&D:
Just kiddin' wicha Scott! Probably came across wrong. Y'all coming to Stone Mountain this year?
Ken I'd say that Kentucky United will be there, as for myself. I might be there but probably as a solo DM, don't know yet.

[Ken Hosey, Panama City FL P&D]

Come on down, Scott.
You can hang out at our Band/Beer tent anyday. Hell, we might even treat you to dinner. PM me and let me know about the band situation.
Beers,
Ken

[Colonel644]

Oh there isn't a situation, just with business and things going on I haven't had time to practice with the band and decided it would be best to leave the position of DM to someone that had more time than I did. I haven't quit my band or have any hard feelings, just not enough time to dedicate.

Sounds good, I might take you up on that offer, and of course if I do come I'll have plenty of bourbon & wine to share ( my drinking selection for games friends has expanded ).
:thumb: