How to be a Drum Major?

The sole purpose of this video is to educate aspiring Drum Majors on exactly what the job requires.
What is a Drum Major?
The Audition?
Tips?
If you like the video be sure you give me a thumbs up.
I also plan on uploading some conducting videos, so subscribe to my channel to stay updated.

[@vifcole]

Cool vid, I became a drum major this year. I love the leadership aspect, but the negative side is that I'm currently having nostalgia about just bein' a regular ol' player. My advice to aspiring drum majors is 1. Be at LEAST a junior. Enjoy your years on the field. 2. You must have a strong personal love for your particular band and the people in it. Be willing to lay down your life for the band, because marching currently IS your life lol. And if you are mentally prepared to give that up, you will eventually get through the nostalgia, and it won't become regret

[@vifcole]

Darien Phillips thanks for reading and pinning man! :)

[@rafaelferreira5571]

I relate to this so much. Thank you for the advice, I also started feeling nostalgic to the point of being really sad to go to band. But I pulled through it and now I love being a drum major.

[@campichardo9037]

Lol, I wish I saw this last year. I have been marching for three years by the time I had first auditioned but I was only a freshman going into my sophomore year. I, of course, did not get the position, however, I was very close. I'm auditioning again this year as a sophomore going into a junior. I can definitely say I've definitely emotionally and skillfully matured, using the past year to refine a whole lotta skills with Model UN, my last season, etc. I'm still nervous for this time around but I genuinely enjoy the song I'll have to conduct and have a lot of positive energy going into my audition very soon. Can you tell I'm nervous lmao I'm literally giving an autobiography jahwjw

[@spiritualfr]

It’s honestly hard to find black male drum majors I’m a freshmen and everyone tells me I’m not gonna get it so I’m working harder to get it

[@fnaf2ventnoise330]

Davion J. Bullshit, both my drum majors are black dont listen to that

[@autumnp2057]

That is such crap, every highschool around where I live has at least two black drum majors and some have only black drum majors. Skin color doesn’t matter, it’s dedication and skill.

[@LRecoAireon]

Practice as if you are the worst, PREFORM like the best because you are the best.

[@lukecerda4344]

wrong

[@mikebridges7294]

Not sure how I ended up here but, watched it anyway. Sure brought back some great memories as I was a Head Drum Major from '77-'81 in HS and College. I assume things haven't changed that much lol. It is a challenge being the Student leader of the Band and liason between them and the Director. We had 3 Drum Majors for our 200 member HS Band. Those years in HS Band were special and being the Head Drum Major for my Jr and Sr years was the icing on the cake! These will be experiences you will never forget young man....keep up the great work!

[@PancakeTheSyrup2004]

I’m a sophomore and I’m lead drum major at the moment, I am really committed to it, I just really want to get my stuff down.

[@kelp3112]

I auditioned for drum major this year as a freshman and beat out a sophomore for this position, I'm so excited your video really helped. Could you do some conducting videos, your conducting is really good.

[@Janen0528]

Oh finally a black drum major!

[@jacquelinealmazan9169]

I'm trying out for drummajor in a few weeks so thank you for the advice and all 😊

[@darienphillips3373]

+Jacqueline Almazan No problem I'm glad I can help :)

[@tracyperez1135]

Im trying out exactly next week on Thursday thank you!!!!

[@maes-9979]

I’m the captain of my schools cheer team because my school doesn’t have a marching band so I can’t be a drum major. My band teacher told me that I should try out for a summer marching band, and I’m planning on it. She said I have the qualities of a drum major

[@ballsdeep6912]

My high school has things where everything is up to the band whether it’s the music we play to the drum major and section leaders songs are voted on by the juniors the year before we play the songs so the seniors play the songs they want. The drum major has to audition in front of the band, then they vote on it and the director and assistant director can choose to veto the vote.

[@thaienawilliamson4937]

I honest to truly found your video to be very very helpful for me! Thank you so much

[@darienphillips3373]

Thanks a bunch. I hope it inspired you to reach your dreams of Drum Major! :) good luck to you and your Band!

[@brandonjennings2959]

Big facts I applied those same techniques I took what my past drum majors did the horrible things and learned better and more positive techniques with out the extra hollering, screaming and negative things they did too us and put us through my instructor told me “ be a friend off the field and a drum major on the field and treat them as if they were family “ and we were a family best in class overAll in every division and that was back on 2012 I can go back and they still know me which is what really blows my mind but I hope someone reads this and sees his video because he told you some real facts and have you true insight it’s hard work and true detonation so Good job bro

[@hipsterdog24]

Great video! Thanks for the help

[@williamlytton7717]

hey Darien thanks, im already band captain but you video helped me out a bit in a since of how to be better as a leader than I already am ,thanks

[@darienphillips3373]

Well I'm honored that I could help you in anyway. Good luck to you and your band!!

[@themailman8038]

Great video man.

[@0fficialcheeto]

I've been thinking about becoming a drum major next year bc i seem like i can handle this and thanks for the tips

[@Dillsion1ALT]

Can you maybe make a video on how to teach someone effectively how to march? My school is pushing for teaching skills hard and I want to make sure I have that down. If not a video, maybe some quick tips? Much appreciated, Dylan

[@ItssAshleyyM]

Im trying out tomorrow! I'll let you know who got the position next week 🙏 I have been praying for this for 2 years now.

[@calebswick0717]

How did it go?

[@lennys2975]

Yes we must know

[@marina6424]

Did you get it???

[@Astere0n]

I'm currently getting encouraged by a friend who wants to audition for drum major to try and audition. My main reasoning for wanting to do it is to get my band much closer to first place. Plus every drum major always is a senior, as a junior I'd happily serve as drum major for two years instead of one. I also have OCD so if I know anything is wrong in the drill believe me I'll see it. I also just want to make my band and family proud.

[@brandonjennings2959]

Wren The Funtime Pirate go for it just don’t be too picky or overly picky you want them to do right even with you having ocd the drill will come with time a practice do not become a Band Hitler no one likes a Hitler just push them to better and show them the vision you have by working with them not just barking order I hope you get drum major so you’ll see what I mean it’s more than just the drills it’s haveing the same goals and visions to succeed

[@keanthonykendrick8347]

Tried out for drum major and I got it tonight!!! Thanks for the information man!! I'm a upcoming sophomore btw!

[@darienphillips3373]

+Ke'Anthony Kendrick Welcome to the drum major club lol!! VERY big accomplishment! Lead your band to greatness, glad I could help👍🏾

[@lovealexius6197]

I really want to be drum major next march season. But its not so much for myself but the program.

[@instruella]

Freshmen thinking about becoming a freshmen my senior year, this helps :))

[@kalujan2004]

how would i gain respect as a sophomore drum major? i dont want to yell at them or something, but even if i remain kind and respectful to the individual when telling them that our band's performance relies on everyone and each person has to put in that effort, that doesnt mean they'll listen. what would i do if they dont listen to me and i need them to stop being not good?

[@seebastonortiz1088]

Kina Lujan this will be a little late but I tried out my sophomore year and I’m currently trying out this year again. To be drum major you have to gain respect from everyone. To do that try to get to know everyone and try to let them know your vision and be very motivational. It is also important that you can take criticism because when your that young they’ll try to put you down. Most importantly, DO NOT GIVE UP !!!!!

[@seebastonortiz1088]

Sometimes you also need to show them who’s boss. Talk to your director about students that are being disrespectful and that they need to be punished so that they’re disciplined

[@emersondavidaguilar5046]

Exude a lot of confidence and maturity! You might be small compared to some, but as long as you carry yourself appropriately, do everything that is asked (and then some), and just get on top of things, you'll naturally gain respect. Now there will be those who just won't listen. Build relationships with your fellow band mates. Even the ones that seem most quarrelsome can be won over! But it'll naturally all work out!

[@koolbeans3572]

Thanks!

[@rottenfruitsnack]

I feel the only thing holding me back is my grades but I’m so amazing at music and leadership just my gpa isn’t the best.

[@mauricetteelizabeth6485]

I am a percussionist/beginner clarinetist. I'm confinement that I can be a good drum major. I'm just a little concerned about the musicality part. I can keep a tempo, I can read music, I know dynamics, I know time signatures. I've never taken a music theory class. I've always sang in choir, as I said I am learning clarinet but i'm not fluent at all. I play cymbals in marching band and drumline and take percussion class (where we play all kinds of percussion). I just feel like I don't have enough/the right kind of musical experience as the rest of the band. I don't know much about horns. Should I be worried? Is there something I can do to improve before the season is over and they're looking to select my class's drum major?

[@ashleyalvin1843]

Thanks for the video. I'm thinking about trying out for drum major next year, I'm a freshman now at Brighton High School. I've admired the marching band program here with a ton of respect since fifth grade when I first started in middle school band and I really want to be a drum major, like you said it's a serious position and I'm a very responsible person and I have high hopes that I can get a leadership position :)

[@darienphillips3373]

Absolutely! You definitely have the mentality and drive to be successful in your program. You have the potential to make your organization great! Good Luck to you!

[@ashleyalvin1843]

Darien Phillips thanks so much

[@Pennysamar]

im auditioning next week for drummajor. going to try to be that sophomore leader person.. hehe thanks for the help!

[@darienphillips3373]

+Christina Samar Thank YOU for watching. And Wow thats impressive, it's definitely in reach, be confident, and prove to your directors you have what it takes! I believe in you!! Lol

[@scoobbrown3336]

Thanks nice video

[@chloem955]

Our school doesn't have a marching band but we do have pep band- I'm currently a freshman (sophomore next year) and I auditioned to be pep band drum major on Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

[@lizbethv5978]

Chloe M how did it go?

[@jennaklyn839]

What a bro

[@oshura2506]

This only applies to Corps style, show style is much different and demanding.

[@javonmentis4350]

Hey I have that shirt

[@jeremiah2547]

check out 100 percent by D.P. Productions

[@Bigslime1920]

Do have fit to be a drum major

[@estebanalvarado8598]

ZacharyRWhite no one of the drum majors in my school is kinda fat

[@zo3490]

my school doesn't let freshmen or sophomores be drum majors ;(

[@thomas_tran8203]

Many and most schools are like that because you need to be very determined and know music like tempo changes and how to lead the marching band and many schools will mostly only let seniors be drum majors since they have been in band for 4 years so they what the determination is like.

[@xkevin245]

I love CUPCAKKE Kyler is that you?

[@rachelrabbit34]

I love CUPCAKKE it's because upperclassmen don't like listening to you guys. There will be conflict so your directors try to avoid that situation.

[@itsreallymax]

I have a question do be a drum major do you have to already no how to dance or will they teach you

[@katgreene834]

A1MAX I believe that in most schools the band director(s) teach you how to conduct.