This coming week my high school band is holding drum major auditions and i am super excited but nervous....it has been like my life dream to be in this position...
2007-01-20 10:17:47 · 8 answers · asked by goingcrazyoverhere 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
As a Band Director I look for lots of things when I am auditioning my drum majors, but here are a few of the key points, in order of importance:
- Confidence and poise. If you want to be a leader, act like one.
- Solid basic skills. It is ok to make an honest mistake. It is NOT ok not to know your stuff.
- Calm under pressure. If you do make a mistake, how do you handle it? What if someone in the Band makes a mistake? What kinds of things can I expect from you when the pressure is on?
- Dedication to the Band. Will you be someone who goes above and beyond your minimum requirements?
- Relationship with your peers. You have to have good social skills and be a person who is going to help bring more people to the program, not scare them away.
- Thick skin. Can you handle it when I give you things to fix or to work on. Can you handle it when your best friend has to be called out for a mistake at rehearsal?
You seem like you are excited. That alone is enough to tell me that you will do well. Good luck and have fun!
2007-01-21 05:41:13 · answer #1 · answered by concordmusicman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been over 10 years since my successful audition. I too had a long dream of being drum major. I even recall telling my band director when I was a freshman that I wanted to be drum major some day.
All I really remember about my audition is that I maintained eye contact with the band. I didn't bury myself in the music (I'm pretty sure there was some in front of me.) I didn't gaze off into nowhere. I looked band members in the eye.
Just remember: There's more to being drum major than just conducting well, calling out commands well and marching. It's a leadership position. You don't just stand on the podium and conduct and your job ends when the band exits the field. It's way more than that. Hopefully you have displayed good leadership qualities to your band director over the years. Being a captain or section leader previously helps, though I didn't have that experience so don't worry about that.
I wish I could be more helpful, but it seriously has been a very long time!!! Good luck, and don't be nervous. Stand before the band with confidence and don't forget to BREATHE!!!!!
2007-01-20 12:18:23 · answer #2 · answered by musicaangelica 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly, just relax. Unless you have a huge band with like, 10 people auditioning for dm, then you may want to be a tad nervous. But part of being drummajor is being confident. You're the leader of the band, and the band will be looking to you as a role model. You need to be, or at least appear, confident. If the dm uses a mace or a military, you should be proficient at performing spins, tosses, and beating time. If not, then that's one less thing you have to worry about haha So seriously, breathe, relax. All you can do now is practice what you have to as much perfection as you can, then let it go. Trust yourself, be confident in your abilities. I was in almost the same position as you, so I know exactly what you're going through. Good luck!
2007-01-20 10:23:53 · answer #3 · answered by High On Life 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you already know, being a drum major is much easier if you were born without a spine. The way you have to bend backwards shows that. All you can do is limber up and make sure your muscles are warmed up well before the audition. Good luck.
2007-01-20 10:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
being a 'retired' drum major myself, i would say just go in there, and breathe. practice infront of your parents, friends in the band, any one who will watch. ask them to critque you, and find what you can improve on. on the days up to (and that day too) your audition, picture yourself conducting infront of whomever you are trying out for, or the band. this will help, trust me. good luck and let me know how you do!
2007-01-20 10:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by heart_attack_2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, just be confident that you know your material. You might review how you hold your sticks, how your paradiddle is, and maybe adjust what size sticks you use to get the job done. I am primarily a guitarist but I also play drums and I have found that I do much better with 2B sticks than anything else. That's just me but then again my drumming style is influenced by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin...and Bonzo used "trees"...lol
2007-01-20 15:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by synchronicity915 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Nerves should not be confused with lack of confidence. Nerves are something you work with to keep your energy up. Your enthusiasm you are sharing with the way you are asking tells me you are going to be just fine.
2007-01-20 10:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok here goes.... do a 2 count count off then start directing on 3.... 3 count cout off on see bring back in 3 and then 3 count cut off on light 3 count cut off back in on 3 same thing on held same on gleaming then back in on 3 off on stars back in on 3 off on fight back in on 3 off on watched back in on 3 off on gleaming then on and the rockets as you bring them in do a 3 count decrescend instead of a cresendo just start with a bigger directing patternor on there or you can crescendo whatever is more comfortable. then the end is like do a hold on way then cut off if they are watching on your own then bring them back in on 3 then hold on free off whenever and back on 3 hold brave cut off when you like or when they turn blue lol. but if your director doesnt like all the cut offs then direct straight and do cut offs and hold at the end only. good luck
2016-03-29 06:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋