Drum major

From DrumCorpsWiki

A Sergeant Major of the Drums or drum major is the leader of a drum and bugle corps. The Drum Major is usually positioned at the head of the Corps and is the figure who stands out in the public eye. The Drum Major is responsible for providing commands either verbally, through hand gestures to the ensemble regarding where to march, what to play, and what time to keep. They are often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the Corps.

1 History
2 Drum corps
3 See Also
4 External Links

[edit] History

The position of Drum Major originated in the British Army with Corps of Drums in 1650. Military groups performed mostly duty calls and battle signals during that period, and a fife and drum corps, directed by the Drum Major, would use short pieces to communicate to field units. With the arrival of military concert bands and pipe bands around the 18th century, the position of the Drum Major was adapted to those ensembles.

Traditionally, a military Drum Major was responsible for:

Defending the drummers and bandsmen (The drums and bugles were communication devices)
Military discipline of all Corps of Drums members
The Corps of Drums's overall standards of dress and deportment
Corps of Drums administrative work
Maintain the Corps of Drums's standard of military drill and choreograph marching movements

The Drum Major was also given duties in the battalion at several points in history, which included the administering of military justice (lashing), to any member of the battalion and collecting the battalion's post.

[edit] Drum corps

The drum major position is one of leadership, instruction, and group representation, but usually not administrative duties. A corps director assumes administrative responsibility.

Drum majors are mostly responsible for knowing the music of the ensemble and conducting it appropriately. What is "appropriate" conducting has evolved over the decades. 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. In addition to memorizing the music (between ten to thirteen minutes of music is typical drum corps) a drum major must memorize dynamics as well as tempo in order to provide proper direction and cues.

To see one to three drum majors in most ensembles is typical. More usually indicates a group of prodigious size. In some ensembles, drum majors switch positions during the show to allow all individuals a chance to conduct from the central podium, occasionally they may serve in other capacities such as performing a solo.

Some drum majors have also become more elevated over the years, having moved off of the field over the course of the 1970s and 1980s and onto small podiums, which in recent years have often become some eight feet in height or larger. There may be supplemental podiums for additional drum majors, usually smaller in stature.

A drum corps drum major is in charge of holding the corps together, and directing the entire corps during shows and competitions. This drum major can come from any section of the performing unit: percussion, brass, or color guard. They are chosen on their musical abilities, leadership qualities, attitude, and passion for the sport.