Trying out for Drum Major?

Question:I want to try out for my high school drum major. I don't know the conducting rythms at all and the previous drum major is really mean and doesn't seem to like me so I can't get help from her. Are there any websites that could give me visual aids or videos of conducting rythems? Any other tips would be greatly appriciated.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I want to try out for my high school drum major. I don't know the conducting rythms at all and the previous drum major is really mean and doesn't seem to like me so I can't get help from her. Are there any websites that could give me visual aids or videos of conducting rythems? Any other tips would be greatly appriciated.

I would talk with some other people who have tried out before and get some basics. Grab some of your bands old competition or halftime performances on video and compare and contrast techinque. Best thing to is to get into a good Drum Major camp the summer before tryouts...this will give you the conducting, communication, leadership foundation you will hopefully perfect throughout the season. Lots of colleges and universities offers programs throughout the summer.

Best of Luck -

Hopefully some of these sites will help.
http://www.drummajor.net/documents/MacDo...
http://www.onlinedrummajor.com/aboutrw.h...
http://www.onlinedrummajor.com/dmtryout....
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Drum-Major
http://www.dcuk.org.uk/downloads/the%20d...

This is the drum major academy I went to when I was in High School:
http://www.drummajor.org/locations.php

They have a blog that is great; and on the blog page, you will find some really good links to the information you need.

Best of luck to you, and remember to keep those shoulders back!

Also, rent the movie "Drumline" to get an inside feel of what goes on those drumlines. Great movie...I loved it!!!