hansel2011
Band Nerd
Music expresses the words which can not be spoken...
Posts: 211
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HELP!!
Feb 8, 2009 14:03:49 GMT -5
Post by hansel2011 on Feb 8, 2009 14:03:49 GMT -5
I am trying out for dm in a few months and I am wondering if any of have any advice or tips as to helping me out. I would greatly appreciate it!
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HELP!!
Feb 9, 2009 19:40:00 GMT -5
Post by stickshifty on Feb 9, 2009 19:40:00 GMT -5
I don't know what form you conduct in, but our drum majors all practiced with tennis balls duct taped to their hands to help get the right hand shape. And practice in front of the mirror...
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nphsdm
Band Nerd
~NPHS Alliance Drum Major~
Posts: 147
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HELP!!
Feb 9, 2009 22:41:54 GMT -5
Post by nphsdm on Feb 9, 2009 22:41:54 GMT -5
Tennis balls ducted taped to their hands... That's....
...Interesting.
Anyways, what is it that you need tips on, hansel2011? Conducting, leadership, or whatever else there is. Anything specific?
Only thing I can say is that you have to REALLY want drum major to do it. You have to understand that it's a huge responsibility and that you're responsible for everything and everyone. If you're worried about conducting... you might want to rethink trying out for the position. That's my personal opinion at least...
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HELP!!
Feb 12, 2009 18:08:42 GMT -5
Post by altoclarinets on Feb 12, 2009 18:08:42 GMT -5
Look around on many of the threads on this board, to give you a few ideas on variuos things to do. Talk to your current DMs, see if they will give you lessons. If you are anywhere near massachussets go to the band department of UMass Amherst and tell professor George Parks how much you want to be his best friend, see if he will give you some emergency lessons. Obtain a copy of the book The Dynamic Drum Major by the same George Parks and study it as you would your religious text. Talk to the bd's to see if there is anything you could do better, and be the friend of everyone in the band.
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HELP!!
Feb 16, 2009 23:18:35 GMT -5
Post by trumellotonium on Feb 16, 2009 23:18:35 GMT -5
The biggest thing that directors (should) look for when choosing leadership is how well a person works with others. If you are a mediocre conductor but can inspire those around you to do well, you're a very good shot at DM, whereas the guy who is an excellent conductor but a total thingy doesn't have a chance. Do everything you can to build good relationships with everyone in the band. That doesn't mean being a pushover, but the more comfortable people are with you the more they'll respect you.
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HELP!!
Feb 19, 2009 20:22:54 GMT -5
Post by altoclarinets on Feb 19, 2009 20:22:54 GMT -5
^ That is true. Conducting can be taught. Tact... Not so much.
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HELP!!
Mar 9, 2009 9:09:16 GMT -5
Post by gibson on Mar 9, 2009 9:09:16 GMT -5
I could help you. But I need to know what the requirements for you are. At my school, when I tried out for DM... We had to write a paper entitled, "Why I should be Field Commander." and go through an interview process with the BD and Assist. BD. However, if you do need help with conducting methods and such just let me know what kind, and I'll try to help you to the best of my ability.
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HELP!!
Mar 11, 2009 22:16:43 GMT -5
Post by trumellotonium on Mar 11, 2009 22:16:43 GMT -5
Hah, I just realized it censored me... woops. Anyway, as far as conducting goes, watching yourself in the mirror really helps. I wouldn't worry too much, though, I'm sure your director will teach you to conduct.
What other requirements are there?
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HELP!!
Mar 13, 2009 0:54:51 GMT -5
Post by 84bdsop on Mar 13, 2009 0:54:51 GMT -5
Conducting -- for all that it's the most public job -- is the LEAST important one. You're up on the podium in show for 15 minutes max....you spend HOURS on the podium in practice.
Leadership is FAR more important....you can't come down on the baritones for not knowing their stuff if you don't know yours...you can't hand down discipline if you're not willing to take your lumps yourself...and you can't lead simply by yelling at people to do their job.
Leadership, unfortunately, can't be taught on a website.
Always remember, for the audution process, the most important question is "whyt do you want to be DM"...and the answer is NOT "because I want the power and the glory."
You have to want to be an effective leader.....not a martinet.
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hansel2011
Band Nerd
Music expresses the words which can not be spoken...
Posts: 211
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HELP!!
Mar 26, 2009 17:48:11 GMT -5
Post by hansel2011 on Mar 26, 2009 17:48:11 GMT -5
Thanks for all the tips. I auditioned today and it went really good. I had to conduct fight song with live band. When they didnt follow, I stopped them and we re-started. I was the only one. I did commands and that went good. I conducted my own song and that went good. Had to march and that went great. The interview, which is the leadership part went really good. It was my bd, assistant bd and the previous dm. It went really good. Out of the four of us he only picked one...but I dont know who it is yet. He said he might post it tonight on the web site but if not I will find out tomorrow morning at four. Oh, my band got a gig playing at a restaraunt for the radio show and it is from 5 to 9 in the morning. lol. The bus leaves at four thirty which means I need to be there at 4ish. But I went in there and tried my hardest. No matter what happens at least I know I did the best of my ability. I am going p against two people in my grade and we are all best friends and the other will be a senior. I am also a good friend of hers...we wil see tomorrow and I will let ou know. Thanks for everything.
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hansel2011
Band Nerd
Music expresses the words which can not be spoken...
Posts: 211
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HELP!!
Mar 27, 2009 11:22:02 GMT -5
Post by hansel2011 on Mar 27, 2009 11:22:02 GMT -5
Well, I made it!!!! I was the only one out of four people. I am really excited for this. I am one of you guys...I always have been. I will be going to DMA in the summer, the band boosters pays for that. I am ready for this. Sorry, I am a little slap happy. Been up since 3 am and went to bed at 12 am. I could not sleep because I wanted to know the results. I spent the morning with a bunch of wasted people. lol! They paid for our lunch and breakfast so it was all good! It was an interesting morning. So now I will be on the dm part of this incredible web site!!!! lol! Talk to you guys later. I am not suppossed to be on here. I am in English class! lol! Keep a secret for me? lol. See ya!
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