About

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40+ Years of DMA History

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Conducting

Whether we have 50 participants or 500, our approach to instruction is the same: recurring, recorded individual evaluation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”iwt-icon-top”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-youtube-play” color=”Accent-Color”]

Video recordings

We are the only educational workshop in the country where every student receives individual feedback with video recordings & one-on-one instruction by a staff member.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-thumbs-up” color=”Accent-Color”]

Personalized feedback

Students attend lectures, are given notes specific to their personal conducting needs, and are shown precise techniques on how to improve their conducting ability.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-time” color=”Accent-Color”]

Consistent evaluation

Each day they are re-evaluated and additional advice and instruction occurs to assist in facilitating their continued progress.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-3 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_column_text]

Ready to improve your conducting?

We’ve been teaching proper field conducting mechanics for almost 40 years. And we can’t wait to show you what it’s all about.

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Teaching

Improvement of individual teaching skills is enhanced through the development of every students’ observation skills.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”iwt-icon-top”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”fa-graduation-cap” color=”Accent-Color”]

Teaching teaching

Marching technique is the vehicle through which students learn observation & teaching skills. Students learn how to “clean” through the application of the unique DMA teaching procedure.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-group” color=”Accent-Color”]

Assist band staff

Band Directors know how important it is to have additional sets of eyes to assist with rehearsals. The DMA procedure teaches students how to be those sets of eyes.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-lightbulb” color=”Accent-Color”]

Teaching, not marching

DMA does not teach students HOW to march and respects and encourages the individual styles and philosophies every band program in the United States has to offer.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”large-text”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-3 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_column_text]

Want to become a better teacher?

A good Drum Major is more than just a conductor. Drum Majors lead, even (especially!) during rehearsals. Learn how to teach your band.

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Leadership & Communication

The single most important quality a great Drum Major must have is strong leadership. And so much of that depends on communication.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”iwt-icon-top”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-shield” color=”Accent-Color”]

Leadership everywhere

These critical skills are a continuous thread woven through the entire DMA curriculum. Students attend lectures on attitude, large group dynamics, developing trust, and earning respect.

Leaders are not born. They are raised. The DMA workshops have been training thousands of young leaders for decades.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”fa-university” color=”Accent-Color”]

George Parks’ legacy

All lectures are conducted by George N. Parks’ protegés, our Lead Staff. Each Lead Staff member is a professional music educator who studied with Mr. Parks.

Our Leads incorporate George Parks’ philosophies and approaches in their daily teachings, at DMA and in their own programs back home.[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”large-text”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-3 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_column_text]

Will you become a leader?

Leadership goes beyond the field. It’s not just band. Become a leader in life.

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Setting the standard

DMA has been setting the standard in Drum Major education for more than 40 years.

Our founder, clinicians, and professional staff members make all the difference. Here’s why.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]George N. Parks (1953-2010), DMA Founder.

George N. Parks, Founder

Our founder, George N. Parks (1953-2010), began teaching drum majors at West Chester in 1973, and founded the Drum Major Academy® in 1977.

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, DMA Clinician.

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Dr. Tim is a nationally-recognized advocate for arts education; bringing workshops, seminars, and lectures to millions of students since 1981.

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World Class Staff

The Drum Major Academy is the nation’s foremost authority on the art of drum majoring, training today’s band leaders more than 40 years.

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Want proof?

Our graduates have become drum majors at top bands and drum corps. And wait until you see what our past students say about us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner class=”iwt-icon-top”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/3″][text-with-icon icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”icon-comments-alt” color=”Accent-Color”]

Testimonials

Over 40 years, we’ve taught hundreds of thousands of young drum majors. Many of them come back for 2nd and 3rd years.

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Our 46-year History

We’ve been at this for longer than anyone else in the business. The legacy of our roots continues with each workshop each year.

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Alumni Achievements

DMA graduates have gone on to become successful drum majors at more than 80 of the world’s best drum corps & college marching bands.

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[/text-with-icon][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][testimonial_slider style=”multiple_visible” color=”extra-color-1-dark” autorotate=”10000″][testimonial title=”Testimonial” tab_id=”1472492115560-0″ name=”Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser” subtitle=”Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc.” quote=”There are many training camps throughout the country, but there is only one Drum Major Academy. Take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to realize what a great impact you can have on your band and its members.” id=”1488524643086-2″] Click the edit button to add your testimonial. [/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” tab_id=”1472492115671-6″ name=”Dr. Buddy Clements, Director of Bands and Orchestra” subtitle=”Walnut High School, CA” quote=”The skills our students garner, along with the positive teaching methods they learn continue to inspire them to reach higher, give more and make a positive impact on our band. These are skills that last a lifetime. Drum Major Academy has my highest endorsement!” id=”1488524736300-6″] Click the edit button to add your testimonial. [/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” tab_id=”1472492822600-5″ name=”Tim Fioravantii, Director of Bands” subtitle=”Waterford High School, CT” quote=”The GNP DMA played a huge role in the success of our band program. The knowledge and skills gained are second to none. I recommend it to ALL current and future band leaders.” id=”1488524595577-4″][/testimonial][testimonial title=”Testimonial” tab_id=”1472492851794-8″ name=”Scott Slutter, Director of Bands” subtitle=”Council Rock High School North, PA” quote=”When our drum majors return from the Academy each year, they are more focused, organized, and prepared. They motivate the entire leadership and seem ready to run Band Camp all by themselves!” id=”1488524595596-4″][/testimonial][/testimonial_slider][/vc_column][/vc_row]