Every year my school has drum major auditions and this year we can ask them questions. If anyone has any suggestions on a good but tough questions I would appreciate it.

"Drum Majors need to be respected and have the members follow them. They need to be able to take the heat and be the leader of the band. Drum Majors need to be able to handle any situation that comes up. Please explain how you will do this when nobody likes you."

hahaha
so true

Please demonstrate counting to 4 cause that's all we need.

1) Why do you want to be a Drum Major

2) What do you feel is the most important trait of being an effective leader

3) Name one goal (for yourself, or for the ensemble), and elaborate on why you made it your goal

What do you prefer?

1. G or Bb
2. Woodwinds or Brass
3. Winning or Losing
4. East coast drum corps or West coast?

Cire you forgot the ever prominent Midwest Corps.

Really the only top Corps not from the West or Midwest is what? Cadets?

Didn't a little group from SC win last year? Pretty sure they represent the EAST!!!

Jhawk - I wouldn't consider the Cavies a "top corps" anymore. They are rebuilding now.

sax - Yes, Crown is from the East too

Sax - with your technicalities. I always thought of them as a southern corps like Spirit. But I guess they are on the coast.

Cire - What about Phantom and Bluecoats?

Sax, the little group from SC that won last year is really more of a Southern Corps that happens to be on the East Coast!!! However, since West Coast corps don't distinguish from the various Northern vs. Southern regions it is fair game to say SC represents the East. Especiaaly since there are so few "East" Coast Corps left in DCI.

Jhawk

Phantom is added to the list.. except only once every 10 years.
Bluecoats have yet to make the list.... however they are next up for that honor

For the original thread topic (lol): Would you please demonstrate the proper method of conducting 17/8?

Strad,

Is there a reason to ask for a conducting example of 17/8 ???

The Drum Major Audition should be focused on the relavant skill set based on the realistic challenges that will be faced. This would include the soft skills such as leadership Qualities, both currently developed as well as potential future improvements/growth, as well as technical experise that is demonstrated by meaningful real life examples (not wild meaningless dribble).

^ I have no idea what was just said... except he said dribble

lol FF it's a troll question xD

dribble. lol

I know Strad !!!

It is supposed to make them look dumb in front of everyone >:)

Really, If you make the potential Drum Major applicants look dumb in front of everyone then how exactly would that help in selecting & developing an effective leader for the Marching Ensemble ... Counter productive to say the least !!!

A Drum Major is no more than a glorified Dr. Beat to be honest ... The Drum Major is not going to become the defacto Band Director ... That position is already filled with a real paid employee of the School District ... We are talking a figure head that eliminates the additional workload from the Band Director while pretending that the Drum Major actually embodies some great leadership skill set that helps create an increased potential for the groups success (I.E. Higher performance levels &/or score). My High School only allowed the selection of Drum Majors based on Woodwind player's for the most part due to not wanting to take a Brass or percussion player from the actual performing ensemble. This did not allow even the pretense of selecting the best overall person based on either leadership or directing ability/skills.