Matching Music and Performance There is one basic item that can make the difference between a great and a not-so-hot performance. It has to do with this one little idea. Make your performance match the music. Make every one of your body movements an extension of what the music is doing. Have the two working […]
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Getting Your Hand Salute Right
Getting Your Hand Salute Right By Rick Wilson The fastest way to get an audience (or a judging panel) believing that you are a skilled drum major is to snap off a precise and flashy salute. The problem is that about half of the drum majors you see at competitions, don’t know where to place […]
Elements of a Field Performance
The Basic Parts of a Field Performance There are five basic components in every field performance put together by a marching band. These hold true despite the band’s style or music selection. They are: 1) The Set-Up involves bringing the band on to the field, getting each member in their proper position, getting them ready to perform. […]
The Championship Season – The Journey to Finals
The Championship Season by Kelly Johnson – Drum Major of the 2000 Div II International Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets (Editor’s Note: In 2000, the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadet Drum & Bugle Corps made history. They not only captured the Division II Championship, but went on to end up 17th overall, besting a number of […]
Where Should a Drum Major Place Their Downbeat When Conducting?
Where Should a Drum Major Place Their Downbeat When Conducting? This text will be replaced Many field conductors ask where the best place is to put their downbeat when conducting their marching band or drum corps in performance? In this video, Rick Wilson shows you and tells you why the answer today is different from […]
The Ultimate Drum Major Conducting Challenge Winners
Ultimate Drum Major Conducting Challenge Winners for 2008 Congratulations to our top 5 competitors, and especially our winner Corey Harkins. If you’re a field conductor or someone looking for drum major tips or drum major salute ideas, check out the videos below. You’ll see some excellent examples of drum majors at their best. Curious about […]
Tips for Surviving Your Drum Major Tryout Interview
Tips for Surviving Your Drum Major Tryout Interview by Rick Wilson Just about every audition process for becoming a drum major includes a interview with the director. This has caused more drum major candidates to lose sleep than just about anything else. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you prepare […]
To see how a drum major should work with their band director — you need to watch Star Trek TNG
To see how a drum major should work with their band director — you need to watch Star Trek TNG by Rick Wilson The better the coordination between the drum major and band director, the more effective rehearsals become. That means a more successful marching band. But, very few directors and drum majors achieve a […]
A Drill to Improve Your Marching
A Drill to Improve Your Marching There is a very important aspect of any drum major’s appearance which is the smoothness of their stride. A good drum major appears to be gliding down the street or across the field. They may be moving forwards , backwards , to the side , but they have no […]
Drum Major Tryout Packet
Role and Responsibilities of the Drum Major: by Rick Wilson The drum major is the leader of the marching band during rehearsals and in performance. His/her job is to carry-out the instructions of the band director and other instructional staff regarding what needs to be done with the band. Some examples of what the drum […]