Monday, October 10, 2005
The PMC Quick Note is a
weekly service provided to all area directors. It is part of our mission
to support the lives of band directors across the
Utilize Your Drum Major
by Rusty Raymond
We as music educators are required
to take a minimum of four years of coursework before we are allowed in front of
a group of students, yet many times we expect our students to assume roles such
as drum major or section leader with little or no training. Is there any wonder that these students
seldom live up to the expectations set before them? Effective student leadership rarely just
happens. The
effective drum major is the one who is best able to balance the four primary
responsibilities most often asked of them.
Conducting Skills and
Techniques (often
times best modeled after his/her director – that is what the band is most
familiar with watching)
During a performance, the drum major
is essentially the band director on the field. Drum majors must remember that
conducting is about communicating with the ensemble not just moving your arms in
a specified pattern. They cannot
help inspire the performance if they are unable to communicate to the
band.
Leadership
Skills
(including: motivating other
students, creating excitement, and being a positive role
model)
It has often been said “leaders are
made not born.” Directors must
remember to provide opportunities for student leaders to grow. Developing people skills such as how
students can deal with conflict resolution can be very
advantageous.
Marching &
Maneuvering Fundamentals
Be able to demonstrate and teach the
marching style and techniques used in your program. The ability to “do it” versus “teach it”
are not the same. Students must be
taught how to teach others. Student
instructors must understand the three different learning styles (auditory,
visual, and kinesthetic). They need
to understand that students learn at different speeds. Seniors often forget the challenges that
freshmen face and should be encouraged to look at things from different
perspectives.
Administrative
Skills (take care
of details so that the director can focus on the “big picture” of coordinating
the many factors of a production)
Many directors find it hard to give
up control of even the slightest tasks.
The thought process of “if I want something done right it’s easier for me
to do it myself.” I find it easier
to take the same approach as Ronald Reagan: trust but verify. While it may initially take more time to
train someone to do the task, in the long run time is saved and the director’s
life is made easier.
Rusty Raymond is the Director of Bands at
Missouri Southern State University in
Joplin,
World’s Fastest Drummer
Comes to 
In 1995 Johnny Rabb received
bachelor’s degrees in both Music Education and Performance from Berklee College
of Music in
J Readers’ Poll. The Guinness Book of Records
has Johnny listed as the World’s Fastest Drummer. Johnny proudly uses ROLAND
Electronic Percussion as part of his arsenal.
Upcoming Area Marching Band Festivals
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Missouri Western Tournament of
Champions –
Friday, October 14,
2005
Riverview
Drums Along the River –
Saturday, October 15,
2005
Francis Howell Central Coliseum
Classic –
Ozarko Invitational Marching
Festival –
Park Hills Central Rebel
Invitational –
Contact Your
Can we assist you with anything? Please contact your local Palen Music Center school road representative for all of your music education needs.
Moberly (660) 263-0109 Clint Thompson
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