Drum Major Research Paper

Summer before junior year of high school, I was looking at a lot of standardized tests, essays, a heavier school workload, college applications, and getting a driver's license; my most immediate concern, however, was the soon to begin marching band season. Spring semester of sophomore year I had decided to audition for a leadership position in the band, and I suppose I was the best candidate because I managed to snag Section Leader for my instrument, clarinet. As the final days of July passed by, I anticipated the start of a season where I would be mentoring and teaching my fellow clarinet players the complex art of marching band. A few days before leadership camp I received a letter in the mail from the Head Band Director, Mr. Larry Brown, and immediately I knew things were not going to be what I expected.

I've been involved in my high school's marching band since the start of my freshman year, and it takes an extreme amount of time, hard work, and dedication. I'm considering joining the “Pride of the Southland” band or a drum corps group to continue bettering myself in color guard. It is not a recognized sport, but it is a huge part of who I am, and I wouldn't want to be spending my time anywhere else then on the band field. Being captian of my guard of twenty girls, has taught be great responsibility, how to earn people’s respect,and what it takes to be a great leader. I truly do believe I could be a wonderful assest to a major color guard by taking everything I've learned,and all my experiences in the last four years from my current marching

I want to be a drum major and squad leader for the 2018 season of marching band. I know I have the leadership qualities that are needed to fill these positions. The current leadership experience I have through band is being a previous squad leader, holding three band officer positions, and at times being the Symphonic Band clarinet section leader. Outside of band I am a member of the National Honors Society and am a mentor in MVP. I also frequently volunteer with programs that help children and I have been a preschool teacher in one program.

This is Faith Cox and welcome to my section leader essay. As you may know, I am now a junior in the Lewisburg band program and maintain the position of second chair in the French horn section. Last year I applied as a sophomore, and I can confidently say I have not only gathered more experience over the past year, but I have also become even more passionate about band. That passion has led me to once again apply for section leader. However, this time I am much more matured as a musician, and I am eager to see my section succeed as they have in the past and help them in any way they may need.

Not only am I the head drum major of my band, but I’m also the president of concert band, a member of the handbell choir (for three years), and apart of my school’s jazz band (for four years). I take this responsibility very seriously and try my best to aid my band director whenever I can. Besides band, I am a member of the school chorus (for two years), the women’s ensemble (for two years), my school’s chamber choir (for two years), and a community choir (for five years)! Music, ever since middle school, has been the driving force that’s kept me busy in life. While other students were bored in study hall, I always was able to resort to my band room to practice. In my high school career, I have had the honor to attend two (going on three) district band festivals and one (hopefully two) region band festivals. These opportunities have been nerve-wracking, yet extremely informing and exciting. My life as a musician has made me think differently on life and provided insight on

I am auditioning for the positions of Sousaphone Section Leader and Drum Major. I have a slight woodwind background though I transitioned to playing tuba three years ago. I have marched for the Brigade for those three years while playing sousaphone. Before high school, I devoted most of my days after school in the fall to assisting the band in any way they needed. From Band-Aid to Assistant Section Leader, I have always done my best to make it to every practice and every competition. Granted, I have missed a couple marching rehearsals for medical or scholastic reasons, but all were excused. I have always been one to encourage others to participate to their best ability while at rehearsal in order to make the most of it. I have never gotten

How would a member of Patriots marching band perceive your worthiness as a section leader or commander candidate? Specifically in term of your leadership qualities, commitment to band at your school, your history with Patriots and the consistency of your attitude and efforts in all three areas?

In my school’s marching band, I had spent the entirety of my high school year hoping to be granted the prestigious position as Drum Major, and many people stated that I would be the best fit for the position. Due to all of the positive feedback I received in regards to becoming the Drum Major, I felt as though I had a great chance at earning this title. Unfortunately, this long lasting dream of mine was shattered when I failed to acquire the position. Though defeated, I did not let this failure take hold of my passion for music and my desire to be a leader. During summer practices, I consistently showed my talents, and I made it a point to show my band director just how abled I am to have a leadership position. Come the end of band camp, I

I am Karen Larsen, and I think that I am very qualified to hold the position of drum major in our high school band. Last summer, I attended a leadership seminar where I learned how to be a leader and take control of situations. Ever since then, I have been more outspoken, more willing to take responsibility, and more prepared to take on situations and act quickly. I have been section leader of the alto saxophones since sophomore year and band president my junior year. I know how to lead a group of people, and I am now prepared to take on a larger group of individuals.

To be honest the previous three years of my marching band experience in high school was only a small part of a larger whole. All the way back in the fifth grade when I picked out my instrument and made the choice to learn how it works, to accept the help of others along the way and to assume responsibility for it and other scholarly activities is just the beginning of what got me to where I am. Next came the middle school experience with increased difficulty of lessons and technique as well as the camaraderie between teachers and friends, the same comradery that brought us all together in high school and kept us together to work on, an at the time, an impossible feat. To be honest, the simple fact that not one action or moment defines my experience to this day will also define my experience in the future. Just as i have received help from various sources to get to where I am, I also count on you, the staff of Midwestern University, to help and guide me through any and all fields of study I

Inspired by my upperclassman, I wanted to lead the marching band, to unite the band members, and to push them towards winning competitions. When the opportunity came, I took it, without hesitation, by becoming the drum major.

At six in the morning, I walked on the field with my flute and some patience. The first day of band camp had snuck up on us and soon enough freshman would be dropped off, excited to experience the marching band for the first time. Marching itself is a united art form where the fruits of our performances are derived from years of hard work; the incoming freshman had very little experience marching and I was well aware of that. Based on our last year's performances, the band directors signed up for three competitions against state-renowned 4-year schools. To compete, as a 9/10 high school, every single member needed to put in 120% effort. As the newly elected band-captain, I knew that my leadership would define how the band progresses, and it

As the oldest and one of the most experienced snare drum members of The College of Piping grade five band, I have been presented with leadership roles and have had band members look up to me. Especially on band trips, I have had members ask for help or for suggestions on the way they are playing and how they are presented. I have also been a captain of my junior high basketball team. Through these various experiences I have unexpectedly seen myself applying these skills in other situations, such as group projects and volunteer

Currently, as a high school senior, I can proudly say that I have been in the band all three trimesters every year of my high school career. Every fall, I play in the marching band. I have been in the drumline almost the entire time. Before my freshman year, I went to the percussion tech class, hoping to make the snare line. I didn’t make it that year, but that didn’t stop me from working twice as hard the next year. Now I’m the section leader of the drumline and I have been the center snare for two years. That alone taught me that hard work pays

I have experienced first hand all of the joys of music and I do not want anyone to miss out on them. Drum major isn’t just a role I played, it was an outlet to spread the soul and emotion into my peers and into my community. I was looked up upon and was admired by young people of the middle school. I am a familiar face to the community and school, and with that trust and relationships form between me and many others. I can see myself giving the color, soul, inspiration and leadership this community and school needs to experience life with musical out take on