(This post was first written as part of SARV BLOG. It is reproduced here with some edits by the author.) I loathe the end of the school year. I cannot stand goodbyes. I don’t even go to commencement because I might break down into tears. Frankly, I hate endings. There is, however,…
Since DMA has a brand new website—all of 14 hours old as of this post on Mar 19, 2017—we thought it would be a good idea to update our evolution timeline so everyone...
Think about it: If a musician on the front sideline and someone on the back sideline play their note at exactly the same moment, the audience will hear the front sideline musician’s sound first. Quick example Here’s a really quick video demonstrating things from the band members’ point of view. It’s less…
1. The audition has already begun. Being a DM isn’t about being impressive at the actual audition. There is a consideration of your cumulative contribution to the band. Do you regularly set a good example for your peers? Are you always willing to help when needed? Is your reputation one…
What makes a good drum major? Well, every band is unique, but most drum major positions need the same few skills. After 40 years of training intensely motivated drum majors across the United States and the world, here’s what we’ve learned. Here are the 7 simple things every drum major should do.
With today being Thanksgiving, I struggled with how I was going to narrow my post about “giving thanks” to just one topic – truly, we all have so much to be thankful for in our lives. So instead of making a huge list, let me be general. I’m thankful for…
If you’re like me, the notebook you took to the Drum Major Academy® is filled with Starred Thoughts™, and each one seemed equally important as the next. At the time you might have thought they only applied to marching band, but as your compassionate eye developed, you saw that these…
Ever wished half time didn’t end?! Well, we’ve got just the cure for you this upcoming weekend on October 4th in Allentown, PA! Since 1996, the College Marching Band Festival has been entertaining audiences with an ever-growing list of performances from a variety of colleges throughout the country. This year’s…
As I scan through years and years of posts to this blog I see that I (and now Jen Ables) have kept our posts to business: leadership, drum majoring, band, etc. I noticed that at no point was the passing of George N. Parks noted in this blog beyond the…
