Band parents

[momxx5]

Okay, band camp has officially started at our High School. This year the marching band will be going to WDW. In a few weeks I'll start bugging y'all for some tips, etc. For now I have a quick question: How is the Drum Major chosen? Is it usually a Senior or is it not unusual for it to be a sophmore? Thanks in advance.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

It depends on the school.

Our drum majors (we have 3 to 4) are chosen through an audition process in May of the previous school year. Ours are almost always seniors, but there were two years where we had a junior that made drum major. We've NEVER had a sophomore make drum major (or even try out - there's no point since there would be no chance of them making it).

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Well, I'm not a band parent..yet..but this is the first year in many that I have not been on staff somewhere. I've been on many a band trip to WDW and they are tons of fun...hope you have a blast! Now, as far as picking Drum Major, it really is the Director's discretion. A sophmore is not as common as a junior or a senior, but directors choose for many reasons. I have worked with people who pick entirely on conducting ability...not taking leadership or seniority into account at all. I have also been on staff where DM is ALWAYS a senior girl...even if she's a twit ! I know of a Drum Corps once who had a 14 year old rookie girl as DM...and won Nationals that year! I know that it can be frustrating for parents who do not always know the reasoning behind many of the decisions.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

At our high school, the drum majors were picked at the end of the previous year (Jne) by audition. Most recently they would have a senior and a junior so the junior could get experience and move up the next year.

 

[golfgal]

Our school used to only have seniors but then they went to having 2 juniors and 2 seniors so they had experience each year. That has worked out well. I don't know of any band that has sophomores as DM's but that doesn't mean it can't happen. I know of one girl in our band that would have made an incredible DM as a freshman, let alone a sophomore but she wanted to play and not direct so she never tried out.

Our band does tryouts after the season, November, then the DM's for next season direct the pep bands all winter for extra practice. The band directors then play with the band-the kids LOVE that.

 

[momxx5]

Thanks for the answers. The reason I ask is that my son, going into 10th gr was selected as DM. First of all, our director does not often pick a girl, secondly we lost a lot of seniors and do not have a lot of juniors rising to seniors to choose from. Director selected based on leadership, responsibility, and overal good kid. Amen, I know how blessed we are. DS is thrilled. He was nominated to the US Leardership Forum on National Defense to attend in late Oct so he is concerned about missing any competitions. Thanks again.

 

[AristocatFan]

Our band has try-outs and the band directors choose. Doesn't matter what grade you are. DS's friend was DM all four years. DS is considering trying out for DM.

Congratulations to your son. That's great!

 

[kellyg403]

A band parent here for the last 10 years or so! Love it! My last dd to participate actually is in the color gaurd but plays flute during symphonic band. It overall has been a fabulous experience for us. At our school rising Jr's and Sr's are usually selected for Drum Major, one senior and one junior. The junior is not automatically moved to Senior DM the next year, they have to audition each year. We have been lucky, our band director has selected a male and female three years in a row. Our last 2 DM have moved on too colleges where they have become dm there as well.

You will love the WDW experience with the band. Coming down mainstreet with castle all lit up...wow, just a heady experience for the kids. We have gone every other year and in the inbetween years the kids marched in the Macy's Day Parade and the 4th of July Parade in Washington DC. Be prepared..this is a total committment and year round sometimes. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Welcome to the world of Band! It has been great, and even though it is my last year as a parent...I will continue to be band parent and help all I can. Volunteering is the number one need the kids have. Whether it be at the games, the concessions stands, the competitions etc. Not sure how large your band is, but ours is 257 marchers strong. The larger the band the larger the need!

Kelly

 

[golfgal]

A band parent here for the last 10 years or so! Love it! My last dd to participate actually is in the color gaurd but plays flute during symphonic band. It overall has been a fabulous experience for us. At our school rising Jr's and Sr's are usually selected for Drum Major, one senior and one junior. The junior is not automatically moved to Senior DM the next year, they have to audition each year. We have been lucky, our band director has selected a male and female three years in a row. Our last 2 DM have moved on too colleges where they have become dm there as well.

You will love the WDW experience with the band. Coming down mainstreet with castle all lit up...wow, just a heady experience for the kids. We have gone every other year and in the inbetween years the kids marched in the Macy's Day Parade and the 4th of July Parade in Washington DC. Be prepared..this is a total committment and year round sometimes. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Welcome to the world of Band! It has been great, and even though it is my last year as a parent...I will continue to be band parent and help all I can. Volunteering is the number one need the kids have. Whether it be at the games, the concessions stands, the competitions etc. Not sure how large your band is, but ours is 257 marchers strong. The larger the band the larger the need!

Kelly

The Disney parade sounds cool. My high school marching band was Grand National Champs at the DC parade several years. Our kids' band does the field shows and only marches 2 parades-one for our home town celebration and one at the state fair so they get in free (and they can win money for the band, which they usually do which is funny because they are NOT a parade band).

 

[swilshire]

This is either our 12th or 13th year as band parents (third kid now) and BOY DOES IT GET OLD!

All these years and they've never been to Disney to march. They did go to London for New Years one year, which was sort of fun, but I swore never to travel with 100 HS kids again (and their parents were even worse).

The band director makes all the difference in how the experience goes. I REALLY miss the one who was there when my oldest two were in high school. He always had the kids' best interest at heart regardless. Not so much the two since him.

My oldest son was drum major his senior year. Typically they are at least juniors, though it just depends on the talent pool.

Sheila