United States Marching Bands
A marching band show (high school and college) usually begins with a salute from the drum major(s). Salutes range in complexity from a simple hand-gesture to complicated routines involving many members of the band. The salute is traditionally the beginning of judging in a competition, and also signals the end of a band's show. Most salutes involve the left elbow pointed out with the left hand formed into a fist held at the hips, while the right arm is held horizontal to the shoulder with the hand and fingers held straight and close to the forehead. The dropping of a salute usually involves making the right hand into a fist just above or in front of the face, and bringing the hand down by the side at the same time as the left arm. A drum major is also responsible for calling the band to attention, beginning, and conducting the show. For calling the band to attention a drum major may use a command such as "Band-Atten-HUT," thus bringing the band to the attention position. The command "Detail-Atten-HUT" is also used to call a specific group within a band to attention. The drum major may use a whistle, vocal, or hand commands to accomplish this. This practice goes back to the military origins of the marching or field band.
A marching band review (parade) begins like a field show. Because of the street setting, there are usually no change in formations. This, however, is not true in Midwestern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan. In these states especially, many complex formations are formed on the street. Typically the band forms a parade block with the width and length of rows and columns varying based on how large a block is desired. Around the block is the color guard and in front of all of it is the drum major. Scoring is similar to a field show (musicality, visual/general effect, auxiliary, etc.), however there is an added section specifically on the drum major's performance. The drum major is scored based on the execution of the opening routine, salute routine, beating time, vocal/whistle/hand commands, and overall control of the band. The opening routine is the main area where the drum major displays his/her skill at spinning a mace/military baton and ends in what can be referred to as a 'pike' (the mace is still and pointing straight up) followed by a whistle or vocal count off. The salute is usually much less complex than the opening routine. The salute routine occurs halfway down the competition line where the judge table is located on the drum major's right hand side. The general rule for a salute is that it begins 6 steps before the American flag (located in the middle of the judge table) and ends 6 steps after passing the flag (6 on 6 rule). After that, the last thing the drum major does is cut off the band after passing the competition line. This is done by either vocal, whistle or mace/baton command as with any other commands given while in a parade block.
To see one to three drum majors in most ensembles is typical. More usually indicates a group of prodigious size; conversely, no drum major may indicate a small band conducted by its director or a group led by a horn sergeant or drumline captain. In some ensembles, drum majors switch positions during the show to allow all individuals a chance to conduct from the central podium. Occasionally, they may also serve in other capacities such as performing a solo, in which case one or two band directors would conduct the band temporarily until the drum major(s) would finish their/his/her solo.
A marching band or drum corps drum major (field conductor) is in charge of holding the band/corps together, and directing the entire band/corps during shows and competitions. This drum major can come from any section of the performing unit: percussion, winds, or color guard. They are chosen on their musical abilities, leadership qualities, attitude, and passion for the sport. The Drum Major is the highest-ranked band participant, usually followed by the captain(s) of the drumline, then by guard captain(s), pit captain(s) horn sergeant(s), section leaders and band officers.
Read more about this topic: Drum Major
Famous quotes containing the words united states, united, states, marching and/or bands:
“It is said that the British Empire is very large and respectable, and that the United States are a first-rate power. We do not believe that a tide rises and falls behind every man which can float the British Empire like a chip, if he should ever harbor it in his mind.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“What makes the United States government, on the whole, more tolerable—I mean for us lucky white men—is the fact that there is so much less of government with us.... But in Canada you are reminded of the government every day. It parades itself before you. It is not content to be the servant, but will be the master; and every day it goes out to the Plains of Abraham or to the Champs de Mars and exhibits itself and toots.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“I make this direct statement to the American people that there is far less chance of the United States getting into war, if we do all we can now to support the nations defending themselves against attack by the Axis than if we acquiesce in their defeat, submit tamely to an Axis victory, and wait our turn to be the object of attack in another war later on.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
“A torchlight procession marching down your throat.”
—John Louis O’Sullivan (1813–1895)
“Nearly all the bands are mustered out of service; ours therefore is a novelty. We marched a few miles yesterday on a road where troops have not before marched. It was funny to see the children. I saw our boys running after the music in many a group of clean, bright-looking, excited little fellows.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)