Forward March

Like a general leading an army onto the battlefield, the drum major leads the marching band onto the field of competition. Armed with their instruments, band members are ordered to fire notes and launch melodies as drum majors shout the instructions and direct their movements. The eyes of every member on the field are fixed on the band's leading officers, who are charged with the formidable task of keeping every aspect of the marching show together from start to finish. Without the drum major's poise under pressure and knowledge of the routine, the performance would fall apart. "They are the field commanders and they run the show down on the field," said Bill Watson, Richland High School band director. "This is the one part of the program in which the directors are the spectators. "They are the leaders there," he said. "It's all up to them. It's no question it's the most important job in a marching band or drum corps." However, the work that audiences see drum majors performing during halftime at Friday night football games or at marching contests is just one small facet of the responsibilities given to the band's top student leaders. Every day throughout the school week, drum majors are called on to take care of tasks that will allow the band's activities and practices to run smoothly. Drum majors are in charge of setting things up for practice and before performances. They take roll, conduct warm-ups and work with different instrument sections on various parts of the music. They distribute copies of music sheets and drill charts and help students learn the moves of the routine. They also conduct entire pep rallies, lead parades and oversee the music played in the stands during games, along with many other duties. "They are given a lot of responsibilities," said Mark McGahey, Keller High School band director. "They know all about the agenda for the day and they help in implementing that. "There are 300 kids in the Keller band," he said. "That's like running a small corporation to have to oversee a group that size." Having to lead that many students would seem a bit overwhelming to the average teenager. Taking the reins and running the show under the lights of the first football game or during the first practice of the school year is a bit nerve-wracking when starting out, most drum majors admit, but it's a job they grow used to and learn to embrace as their own. "As soon as you step up on the podium the first time, you might be nervous at first," said Katie Zwit, a senior in her second year as a drum major for the Keller band. "But knowing that all 300 people are watching you and depending on you for the tempo and the direction, it gives you so much confidence. "You might not know what you're doing at first, but you get better and band members understand that and respect you," she said. It takes on-the-job training and repetition to become skilled at the role. It also takes an involved process just to be named a band's drum major. Band students aren't just picked for the position by raising their hands. Leadership, skill and responsibility are all put to the test. Compared to a rigorous job interview, determining the next school year's drum majors in the spring is typically a weeklong event. The audition process includes displaying the basics of conducting, giving vocal commands from across the field and exhibiting fundamental marching techniques, which are all critiqued. The candidates must show they can instruct students effectively. Drum major candidates must receive a favorable evaluation by returning students, while outgoing officers also write comments about their potential replacements. Hopefuls are screened based on their grades, conduct and involvement in band over the past year. "For a young musician, an audition is something you prepare for over a long time, but as a drum major, it's something you prepare for from the moment you step on the field as a freshman," said senior Adrianna Chrestopoulos, who serves as drum major for the Argyle High School band along with Brock Smith. "You always have to be on your toes. "Brock and I will look at freshmen in the band now and say, 'He shows good leadership,' or 'She's doing a great job,'" she said. "We're already thinking about who would make a good drum major in the future." Band students, from their first involvement in a high school marching band, often look up to the drum major. They are the role models for the rest of the band. The job of drum major is a position of respect and authority. However, an idea that band directors also emphasize is that the role is more about service than glamour. They must be willing to serve and assist in all areas of the band, not focusing on popularity or power. A desire to serve was one thing that motivated Smith to become a drum major at Argyle. "Halfway through last year, I decided I knew I could be a good leader for this band and I wanted the best for this band, so I decided to try out," said Smith, a senior. "I feel like I don't know what else I could do in this job. I give a lot and I want to do my best." Each of these programs - Keller, Richland and Argyle - have experienced success in previous years and the drum majors are looked to for helping the band keep that same winning attitude in all they do. Keller and Richland both reached the Class 5A state marching contest in 2006. Argyle won the 2A state marching title in 2005 and was fifth at state in 2006, the school's first year to compete as a 3A school. This year, both 3A and 5A schools will once again compete for a chance to return to the UIL state marching competition, which brings added excitement to the band and added importance to the role of drum major. Each band can choose the number of drum majors needed, based mostly on size of the band and what works best for the logistics of the show. Keller has four this year, as Zwit is joined by newcomers Patrick Waters, Laurel Roseborrough and Katie Madrid. Richland has three (Michael Moresi, Jordan Nally and Zach Woolhouse) and Argyle has two. "Every school has different things that their drum majors do," said Kathy Johnson, Argyle band director. "Some are just figureheads. Ours are true leaders. "They have to be someone that our students will listen to and take instruction from," she said. Although all band members are expected to respect their drum majors, it's up to the drum majors to earn the group's trust by showing they are capable of the job and that they know what they're doing in leading the music and marching. They must also treat everyone fairly and are expected to call out members, even if they are their friends, for any unacceptable behavior. "They definitely have to walk the walk," McGahey said. "You can't let a buddy slide when they've done something wrong. If (other band members) see you doing that, you lose respect. It's a hard lesson to learn, but you have to be consistent." Drum majors are also responsible for setting the tone, as students look to them to see how they respond when challenges arise. They must keep their cool even when things seem to be falling apart, whether in a performance or practice. "There have been rehearsals where things were really off," Chrestopoulos said. "It's really frustrating, but you have to keep positive and realize that it's going to get better. "You have to stay positive because the attitude you show while you're in front of them, that's the attitude the band's going to have." This season, the objective of area marching bands is obvious - return to state or make it there for the first time. Competition begins this month, as 5A and 3A schools have the chance to compete to reach state after being unable to advance in 2007, when Class A, 2A and 4A bands were the only ones that could battle for titles. But beyond this year and past high school, students that serve as drum majors experience things that they can carry with them into their adult life. For some, their time at the post may even help them define their career ambitions. "This has definitely taught me to be more responsible for one thing and to have more confidence in myself," said Zwit, who plans to pursue a degree in music education. "I've found what I want to do through being a drum major and found a passion for music." -