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| Are you a current drum major, past drum major, or band member? |
| Are you a current drum major? |
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33% |
[ 59 ] |
| past drum major? |
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7% |
[ 13 ] |
| or band member? |
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59% |
[ 106 ] |
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| Total Votes : 178 |
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 Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:44 pm
Hmm. Well, I'm going out for Assistant Drum Major for the next marching season. (We have a drum major and two assistant drum majors; there's about 250 people in band and color guard).
We don't have to conduct or anything, but we have this giant packet that we have to read and fill out if we want to go for leadership positions. It's pretty much a lot of response to literature questions, as the reading is from selected books on leadership, etc.
I believe we learn how to conduct and everything at leadership camp and some drum major academy [?].
I'm kind of nervous though, as I'm only going to be a sophomore, and usually drum majors are either juniors or seniors. (There was a girl who was a drum major since she was a sophomore, though; she's graduating this June.) It's also a really important year, as we're going to BOA Grand Nationals. However, both of my band directors asked me to do it, and I really think that I can step it up and provide for the band.
I know that some people are going to hate me for it, though, if they don't already. (Like my flute section leader gave me a condescending look...errr....)
So...any words of wisdom? xD;
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:21 am
Homicidal Fangirl Hmm. Well, I'm going out for Assistant Drum Major for the next marching season. (We have a drum major and two assistant drum majors; there's about 250 people in band and color guard).
We don't have to conduct or anything, but we have this giant packet that we have to read and fill out if we want to go for leadership positions. It's pretty much a lot of response to literature questions, as the reading is from selected books on leadership, etc.
I believe we learn how to conduct and everything at leadership camp and some drum major academy [?].
I'm kind of nervous though, as I'm only going to be a sophomore, and usually drum majors are either juniors or seniors. (There was a girl who was a drum major since she was a sophomore, though; she's graduating this June.) It's also a really important year, as we're going to BOA Grand Nationals. However, both of my band directors asked me to do it, and I really think that I can step it up and provide for the band.
I know that some people are going to hate me for it, though, if they don't already. (Like my flute section leader gave me a condescending look...errr....)
So...any words of wisdom? xD; OMFG!!!! YOUR BAND IS HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY BAND ONLY HAS 75 MEMBERS AND 5 COLOR GUARD!!!!!! can anyone post a pic of 12/8? i still don't get it, i'm stupid
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Shadowy Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:17 pm
surge5 Homicidal Fangirl Hmm. Well, I'm going out for Assistant Drum Major for the next marching season. (We have a drum major and two assistant drum majors; there's about 250 people in band and color guard).
We don't have to conduct or anything, but we have this giant packet that we have to read and fill out if we want to go for leadership positions. It's pretty much a lot of response to literature questions, as the reading is from selected books on leadership, etc.
I believe we learn how to conduct and everything at leadership camp and some drum major academy [?].
I'm kind of nervous though, as I'm only going to be a sophomore, and usually drum majors are either juniors or seniors. (There was a girl who was a drum major since she was a sophomore, though; she's graduating this June.) It's also a really important year, as we're going to BOA Grand Nationals. However, both of my band directors asked me to do it, and I really think that I can step it up and provide for the band.
I know that some people are going to hate me for it, though, if they don't already. (Like my flute section leader gave me a condescending look...errr....)
So...any words of wisdom? xD; OMFG!!!! YOUR BAND IS HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY BAND ONLY HAS 75 MEMBERS AND 5 COLOR GUARD!!!!!! can anyone post a pic of 12/8? i still don't get it, i'm stupid I dont know much about 12/8, but might I suggest to the lady that try to get as many people on your side as possable. There are 250 people...theres bound to be one that likes you. Now, about that flute leader, ask one of the existing Drum Majors for help with the problem. That is what we are supposed to do.....As for stepping up; Try It! If you really feel THAT unconfortable being a Drum Major and it gets to the point were it is not fun, than don't do it. When I was a freshman, I tried out for DM and new I would not make it. I was jeered by my FELLOW BAND MEMBERS!! Well this year, I made it (with suprising looks from those who jeered I might add). So anyway, the people will LEARN to respect you (they don't have to like you). Just show leadership and you'll do fine.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:30 pm
Homicidal Fangirl Hmm. Well, I'm going out for Assistant Drum Major for the next marching season. (We have a drum major and two assistant drum majors; there's about 250 people in band and color guard).
We don't have to conduct or anything, but we have this giant packet that we have to read and fill out if we want to go for leadership positions. It's pretty much a lot of response to literature questions, as the reading is from selected books on leadership, etc.
I believe we learn how to conduct and everything at leadership camp and some drum major academy [?].
I'm kind of nervous though, as I'm only going to be a sophomore, and usually drum majors are either juniors or seniors. (There was a girl who was a drum major since she was a sophomore, though; she's graduating this June.) It's also a really important year, as we're going to BOA Grand Nationals. However, both of my band directors asked me to do it, and I really think that I can step it up and provide for the band.
I know that some people are going to hate me for it, though, if they don't already. (Like my flute section leader gave me a condescending look...errr....)
So...any words of wisdom? xD; That situation sounds familiar. You see, my band has only sophomores (soon to be juniors) try out each year. I'm graduating a year early (long story), so I asked if I could try out as a freshman and my band director said I could. I tried out and made it. However, I had a lot of people hate me. Seriously, I could walk down the hall and I would hear whispers behind my back. And not just the band hall - anywhere in the school. However, nearly all of this hatred disappeared either over the summer or during the first days of band camp. You have to prove you're the best person for the job. So long as you're as good as you can be, they cannot complain. Eventually, they will respect you. To Hunnie903: This is really late, but I thought I'd post it anyway. Your arms should be a few inches from your body (meaning not straight out in front of you, but slightly farther apart) when conducting. Your plan...I've usually found it to be about level with my elbows in starting position (which is, for me, where my rib cage starts or so). Your starting position, of course, should involve your arms extended, but comfortable. I always show my palms, at least at an angle. In fact, I have notes from Drum Major Academy saying your palms should show. That way, more surface of your hands shows to the band (if your hands were flat, they can't see the beat as well). Admittedly, things like this change from place to place. My palms do not show at the bottom of the beat (meaning, they are showing, then when I "hit" the beat, my hands go flat, then come back up).
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:26 pm
Thanks for your help. The advice will help me in the future.
I did make Drum Major though! whee Well kinda....my band director is crazy, so he changed up a bunch of leadership stuff.
There are 3 field conductors, me being one of them; no captains, there is one person in charge of the whole band like a Drum Major, only he doesn't conduct; and sections are combined. Flutes/clarinets is now one section, and mellos/saxes is one. I made flute section leader as well, only now I'm in charge of flutes AND clarinets since it's one section, and I am a flute player.
He said he'll explain everything to us on Monday May 12, as the band banquet was Friday, May 9. We're all super confused...
And I got Rookie of the Year award!! whee Yay for freshmen!!
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 9:32 am
Congratulations!
Wow. That sounds kinda weird. Is your band kind of small? Our flutes/clarinets would make a section of about 40, and that seems kind of big for one section. I know we combine our altos and mellos, and I think we might combine our low brass/woodwind this next year though.
Well, good luck next year! You'll be great.
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 7:50 pm
WickedSong Congratulations! Wow. That sounds kinda weird. Is your band kind of small? Our flutes/clarinets would make a section of about 40, and that seems kind of big for one section. I know we combine our altos and mellos, and I think we might combine our low brass/woodwind this next year though. Well, good luck next year! You'll be great. Well, I think it's pretty average. There's a little over 100 of us. Most of the flutes this year are switching to guard, so the sections are a lot smaller. Usually it's about 10 flutes, and about 20 clarinets, but now it's like 4 flutes, not counting incoming freshies. Half our band is trumpets. stare The show we're doing this year has more brass sounds in it. We're even pulling out the 3/4 sized tubas. The only other instrument I can play is sax, and I don't wanna march a reed instrument. I can't switch to trumpet because it'll screw up my embouchure, so I have to stay on flute. My Band Director tried to get me to switch to tuba. I'm freakin 5'2" and 103 lbs! My BD said he was fed up with the horrible leadership last year, that's why he drastically changed it. We have 1 Band Captain, 5 Section Leaders, 8 Uniform/Travel/Loading Officers and Librarians, and 3 Field Conductors. Leadership was way bigger last year. The veteran clarinet players hate me now. One, because I'm a freshman and section leader; Two, they don't think I'm good enough for it; and Three, I beat out the veteran clarinets who tried out for sec. leader. *Sigh*
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:16 am
so...i auditioned and i am now awaiting my results, my band director is strange sometimes haha! he is positive about who is going to be 1 drum major, but he wont tell anyone who made it until he figures out if he wants 1 or 2 drum majors! So that kinda sux, but i cant wait!!!!!!!
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 4:06 am
i didn't make it and now i'm pissed. i tried harder than the other drum majors who haven't marched since marching season and haven't conducted in a while and i did both everyday since marching season and i still didn't freakin make it. i think it's because i'm only a freshman. freshman get no freakin privlages and im freakin sick of it. sry for the outburst. my parents don't want me to be angry and if i do they'll take me out of band completely, so i'm letting my anger out here haha.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 6:58 am
I'm feeling his pain^^^
I'm a sophomore this year and I was one of three sophomores that tried out but only one sophomore made it and the only junior worth anything made it too.
I think I'll live though. I'm section leader of the 12 mellophones that we have!
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 11:27 am
12 mellophones! ...I hate you. We have two.
I hate to say it, but band leadership does seem to be oriented toward the upperclassmen. However, you should take comfort in the fact that when you're a junior or a senior, there is no reason for you not to be drum major. So in the meantime, try to be section leader (if possible) and just enjoy being a marching member.
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:31 am
WickedSong 12 mellophones! ...I hate you. We have two. I hate to say it, but band leadership does seem to be oriented toward the upperclassmen. However, you should take comfort in the fact that when you're a junior or a senior, there is no reason for you not to be drum major. So in the meantime, try to be section leader (if possible) and just enjoy being a marching member. Thanks. I feel good about this year, and I have a lot of ideas on section bonding. Where we are, it's our job and the right thing to do to make your section your family. We take that real seirous =D
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 1:54 pm
I just graduated high school, but this past year I served as the drum major of my high school band. It was a new BD's first year with us, so he and I got close pretty fast. My high school band was really small (about 20 members... eeesh. Country school.), so it's a radically different experience from being in a big band, which I was in for my 8th grade and freshman year.
I really enjoyed being the drum major, but I'm not sure if I want to pursue the drum major position in university band... Are there any university drum majors here?
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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:57 pm
I tried out two days ago and I was selected as junior drum major!
I only had one opponent who was kind of stuck up, but it was close; I was preparing myself for rejection.
But I was pleasantly surprised when my director said that I was the new drum major for the next two years! I wanted it more than the other kid, anyways.
We had to memorize conducting Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" as well as perform commands and march, and hold an interview. The interview was my worst part. I'm not good with interviews.
But they knew how much I wanted it, I think.
=)
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Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:59 pm
Heyy, I'm back.
I was wondering if anyone was going to Ohio Weselyn University for the Drum Major Academy this summer. =D
If so, feel free to PM me. heart
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