Drum major (marching band)

During the 1970s and prior it was not uncommon for a stationary drum major to do a high-lift mark time on the podium for an audible and visual tempo; with the arrival of increasingly higher drum major platforms and thus greater visibility this has become both dangerous and unnecessary and has become obsolete.

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.

Some high school drum majors do not wear a different uniform, however, and are recognized by their field or parade position.

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 sash.

Drum majors in Scottish daywear will typically wear a kilt (although some may choose not to in competitive settings in places such as the Highland games to score higher on dress inspection), pipers hoses and flashes, a sporran (typically without long horse hairs), some sort of formal jacket, and a Glengarry or Balmoral.

Drum majors usually spin their mace and perform tricks such as the prop-spin, roundhouses, tosses, and parallels.

Drum majors primarily use whistle and baton or mace and vocal 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.

The drum major usually wears a more elaborate uniform that is representative of the authority and responsibility of a field commander.

Both high school and college field shows usually begin and end with a hand salute from the drum major(s).

Salutes range in complexity from a simple hand-gesture to complicated routines involving many members of the band.

In some ensembles, drum majors switch positions during the show to allow all individuals a chance to conduct from the central podium.

This drum major can come from any section of the performing unit: percussion, winds, or color guard.

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.)

When performing a field show, the drum major might conduct from a large podium and direct the band.

Unlike field shows, there is an added section specifically on the drum major's performance at band reviews.

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.

The drum major(s) will usually prepare a separate, shorter salute in order to respectfully accept awards that their band has earned.

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: Conducting, the ability to successfully call and execute commands, mace/baton flourishing, and overall leadership abilities.

[4] 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.

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.