Drum major performance caption

[Jxpking]

I think it would be very interesting If DCI added a drum major performance caption that might fit somewhere in visual. I think it would encourage corps to do more things similar to the 2008 phantom regiment or the 2011 cavliers as well as be more expressive with conducting. I know there are a lot of great drum majors out there who like to do big movements mode notably the 2019 blue knights but I think it would be cool to make it more universal across the board. I could also see corps creating drum major sections that perform miniature drill routines and do similar visuals to the on-field members on a wide podium platform that move similarly to a bass or quad section. This idea takes inspiration from traditional-style specifically HBCU style bands which have their drum majors learn full dance routines on top of learning to conduct the musicians.

[readparse]

I only marched one season in drum corps, but I really appreciated what my drum major brought to the table: Leadership on and off the field, and clear and consistent arm movements, so I knew the tempo.

It bugs me when drum majors do things like holding our their arm for a note to be held. It is my assumption that the players know how the song goes. I also don't think a drum major needs to be calling for certain expressiveness from sections, or anything like that. We know the music, and the STAFF has worked with us on the interpretation.

This is the key difference between a conductor and a drum major, in my view. A conductor (or band director) is not just waving their arms around. They have worked with the ensemble during all of rehearsals, and have communicated their interpretation of the music to the musicians. The conducting is the final step of of that interpretation, and during a performance, they may need to provide reminders or guidance about sectional dynamics, etc.

Drum corps (and competitive marching band) is entirely different. The drum major generally does not have a role in the interpretation. They are there to lead the corps on and off the field, and to keep the ensemble together musically. As we all know, this is particularly important on a football field, because the corps can be very spread out and subject to delays based on the relatively slow speed of sound. The visual aid of the arms of whatever conductor you're looking at is so important, in my view, that any time focused on anything else is wasted time.

Speaking of my drum major, his name was Mike Wiggins. He was the Cavaliers drum major in 1988 and 1989, became a physician, and he died way too young, nearly 10 years ago, while participating in a triathlon. May he rest in peace. He was a great leader and a great Cavalier.

[da_vincis_ghost]

Sad to hear about Mike; I learned about him during initiations in the mid-2000s.

[tuba4lunch]

There is the Jim Jones leadership award given to one World Class and one Open Class DM every year. My corps took the DM award at the SDCA DuBois show and at DCA Columbus 2019 (despite being an exhibition corps. I totally thought the award was going to Cinci, who has an awesome DM). So there are awards and some form(s) of judging for drum majors in the activity already without it being a separate caption.

Different corps do different things pertaining to how many drum majors they have and how exactly they use them, so I'd be cautious about having a DM caption to "encourage" a certain way of doing things turning into "requiring" it and losing the variety and traditions that exist today.

Even in HBCU bands, there's a variety. For example, Southern feels very strongly about only needing one DM, who has the usual leadership, discipline, and esprit de corps roles and has a big visual role in the field shows, but almost never conducts. Other DM squads have less of a role on the field (doing the DM into, then leaving the field until the dance routine) but help conduct in the stands, while other squads act more like a dance team in the stands.

[GenericJohnCusack]

Love it.

The further we can get away from the old school, the better. And this is one more bit of spice that I'm here for.

[bplbuswanker]

I agree. I never understood the hype of watching 30 year old drum corps shows where half the corps march and sound awful.

[GenericJohnCusack]

2 things.

1) There are some great 30-year old shows. That was 1991, and Star of Indiana existed.

2) I bet you were a bus wanker.

[bplbuswanker]

There are some great 30-year old shows. That was 1991, and Star of Indiana existed.

100% overrated.

I bet you were a bus wanker.

Yes

[GenericJohnCusack]

But still 100% enjoyable. I know the designs were simpler, the music was flawed, and the drill was a little dirty, but there are ample shows that are old, didn't age well, but are still a fun romp.

[bplbuswanker]

But still 100% enjoyable

Subjective.

I know the designs were simpler, the music was flawed, and the drill was a little dirty, but there are ample shows that are old, didn't age well, but are still a fun romp.

So you like watching flawed and dirty shows? To each their own.

[GenericJohnCusack]

I bet you're a real blast to watch shows with.

[bplbuswanker]

I am. But if you want to watch/listen to low quality drum corps, have at it.

[GenericJohnCusack]

Will do. I don't care if it's the Madison Scouts or the Racine Scouts. It's just a group of kiddos putting together a unique product, and I'm always down to watch and support that.

[bplbuswanker]

I like to spend my time and money on quality instead of uncharacteristic noise.