Drum Majoring
A Drum Major is usually positioned at the head of the band during parade performances. The Drum Major holds the responsibility of ensuring that the band looks and acts professional and remains disciplined and organized during public and ceremonial events. The Drum Major also provides oral and visual commands to signal to players when the band is supposed to start and stop playing, needs to change directions or stop marching and provides the band’s official salute to visiting dignitaries at important public ceremonies.The Drum Major therefore has to learn and develop skills in leadership, music, marching, ceremonial etiquette, and has a sense of personal pride and confidence.
Responsibilities of the Drum Major may include:
(a) Leading the Band at performances other than competition
(b) Assisting the Pipe Major and Lead Drummer as required during Band performances
(c) Dress, decorum and deportment of the Band during performances, and other band related events other than during competition
(d) Execution and teaching of marching drill etiquette to the band membership as well as the Drum Major signals and the proper wearing and inspection of the band uniforms.
Pipe Band Drum Majoring is also a solo competition event which many youth who are involved in Cadets, Military Reserves, High School Bands or Marching Bands get into because it offers them an intensity of training that they do not get elsewhere and it provides an opportunity for them to continue Drum Majoring well into their adult life when they age out of Cadets and high school marching bands are no longer an option.