Drum major: how to...?

Question

I want to try out for drum major, and I know there's a camp for this that they have to go to, but I wanted to know how to do some stuff first.

I think that when you yell 'band, horns up' your arms go up. then down is 1, out is 2, in 3, up 4. right? not quite sure. if there's any help and advice you can give me, that'd be great. thanks. :)

Answer 1

When you're directing in 4/4, you're correct.  Your arms go straight up on 1, come straight down on 2, both come in on three, go straight out on 4, and swing back around and up to 1, and repeat.  As for the horns up thing, it depends.  Two-years-ago-DM used to move his arms with the command, last-year-DM moved on "UP!", and this year's DM (and myself) move a beat after the command.  It's all up to either you or your director.

If you're going to be drum major, you need to be a good marcher.  You're going to be teaching kids how to march/helping them with their field show, and you can't teach anybody unless you know what you're teaching.  You also need to be a pretty decent musician, because you're going to need to learn as much of your field show as you can.  Also, some people may be coming to you for help with their parts.  

When you're trying out for the position, be sure you know all you need to know.  An old director made students create an 80-count marching routine, create a personalized salute, direct the fight song, and call for a drill down.  Another director just made us direct and march some kids.  So you NEED to know what you're trying out with.  You'll need to practice.  Practice practice practice, and do a little bit more practice.  

When you actually try out, relax.  Be chill.  Don't get all up-tight before you do your audition, cause the judges may interpret your behavior as you not knowing what you're doing or not wanting to be there.  Just take a breath and act like you have it down.  And smile.  Pretend like you really wanna be there.

If you have any other questions or need some more advice, don't hesitate to call on me.  Best of luck.  =)