Selection:
All Drum Majors are selected from a pool of students that have volunteered for the position by the last marching band practice of the school year. For the 2019-2020 school year, make sure Ms. Mitchell knows that you would like to audition by Monday, December 9th.
Practices:
Drum Majors will be given opportunities to practice their craft after school on Tuesdays from 2:15-3:15p with the established Drum Majors from each class level (usually starting the week after finals in January). These after school practices are NOT required, but they go far when choosing the next two candidates.
Audition:
Drum Majors will complete a three part audition by Tuesday, April 7th.
1st part:
Each DM will lead a warm-up (given a month to prepare) in class which Ms. Mitchell will record and place on the google drive for DM auditions for the other DMs to view a few days prior to the skills auditions.
2nd part:
Each DM will fill out an audition sheet with basic information; example: List the 5 basic spins
This written portion will be given out several days before the skills auditions and due the day of the skills audition.4
3rd part:
The skills audition will be held on Tuesday, April 7th from 2:15-4:30p with a 20 minute warm-up/Q&A with the other DMs. They will ask you to perform the various tasks gone over during the after school practices and ask to see your basic routine (22 seconds). After the skills test is completed, the DMs will consult each other and decide on the interview questions to be used that day. Each candidate will receive the same question and the 1st cuts will be made. The interview will continue until two candidates are considered the top contenders. Those two candidates will be the new freshman DMs.
What does a Drum Major do?
Drum Majors accomplish many tasks for the band and with the band over the course of the marching season. Drum Majors run sectionals, rehearse the full band, drill the band, pike their baton to keep time when the band is marching, direct section leaders to accomplish specific tasks, and attend Drum Major Camp each year.
What is Drum Major Camp?
Drum Major Camp is a weekend camp offered at UC Santa Cruz usually the weekend after the 4th of July (days change per availability each year). You can check the most recent dates by visiting usavaristy.com
The camp is currently $474 dollars; HOWEVER I usually subsidize the cost and ask that each family attending pay only $400 and I will handle the additional cost.
What do I bring to Drum Major Camp?
A water bottle (marked with your name)
Sunscreen (very seriously)
DM Gloves
DM whistle
Military baton (your own) with two cords, black and orange
Twin Sheets/blanket
Pillow
Shower shoes (for use in dorm showers)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any other toiletries needed
Pencil/notebook; yes, you will most likely be taking notes on something
Packet with all paperwork included; please read all paperwork carefully and ask any questions before the camp
What is supervision like at Drum Major Camp?
Ms. Mitchell attends camp every other year, but is generally not needed for supervision as there are over 10 counselors/instructors overviewing each stage of the camp. Students are expected to check in by a certain time each night and are also checked in each morning.
All Drum Majors are selected from a pool of students that have volunteered for the position by the last marching band practice of the school year. For the 2019-2020 school year, make sure Ms. Mitchell knows that you would like to audition by Monday, December 9th.
Practices:
Drum Majors will be given opportunities to practice their craft after school on Tuesdays from 2:15-3:15p with the established Drum Majors from each class level (usually starting the week after finals in January). These after school practices are NOT required, but they go far when choosing the next two candidates.
Audition:
Drum Majors will complete a three part audition by Tuesday, April 7th.
1st part:
Each DM will lead a warm-up (given a month to prepare) in class which Ms. Mitchell will record and place on the google drive for DM auditions for the other DMs to view a few days prior to the skills auditions.
2nd part:
Each DM will fill out an audition sheet with basic information; example: List the 5 basic spins
This written portion will be given out several days before the skills auditions and due the day of the skills audition.4
3rd part:
The skills audition will be held on Tuesday, April 7th from 2:15-4:30p with a 20 minute warm-up/Q&A with the other DMs. They will ask you to perform the various tasks gone over during the after school practices and ask to see your basic routine (22 seconds). After the skills test is completed, the DMs will consult each other and decide on the interview questions to be used that day. Each candidate will receive the same question and the 1st cuts will be made. The interview will continue until two candidates are considered the top contenders. Those two candidates will be the new freshman DMs.
What does a Drum Major do?
Drum Majors accomplish many tasks for the band and with the band over the course of the marching season. Drum Majors run sectionals, rehearse the full band, drill the band, pike their baton to keep time when the band is marching, direct section leaders to accomplish specific tasks, and attend Drum Major Camp each year.
What is Drum Major Camp?
Drum Major Camp is a weekend camp offered at UC Santa Cruz usually the weekend after the 4th of July (days change per availability each year). You can check the most recent dates by visiting usavaristy.com
The camp is currently $474 dollars; HOWEVER I usually subsidize the cost and ask that each family attending pay only $400 and I will handle the additional cost.
What do I bring to Drum Major Camp?
A water bottle (marked with your name)
Sunscreen (very seriously)
DM Gloves
DM whistle
Military baton (your own) with two cords, black and orange
Twin Sheets/blanket
Pillow
Shower shoes (for use in dorm showers)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any other toiletries needed
Pencil/notebook; yes, you will most likely be taking notes on something
Packet with all paperwork included; please read all paperwork carefully and ask any questions before the camp
What is supervision like at Drum Major Camp?
Ms. Mitchell attends camp every other year, but is generally not needed for supervision as there are over 10 counselors/instructors overviewing each stage of the camp. Students are expected to check in by a certain time each night and are also checked in each morning.