The First Drummer or Drum Major
The First Drummer, Drum Major, or flaggtrumslagare is the leader of the band during marching. The first drummer also has responsibility for the marching quality of the band, as well as responsibility for composing figurative shows for performances. The first drummer does not carry a drum; the title is better understood as the leader of the drummers (and as such of the band). The sign of command of the first drummer is the ceremonial mace or stav, although by tradition, an ornate drum strap is carried across the shoulder as well.
The Sergeant Major of the Drums or drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum or bugle corps, or pipe band. The Drum Major is usually positioned at the head of the Band or Corps and is the figure who stands out in the public eye. The Drum Major is responsible for providing commands either verbally, through hand gestures, or with a mace in the military or with whistle commands or a baton in the US civilian bands to the ensemble regarding where to march, what to play, and what time to keep. They are often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the Band or Corps.
The Drum Major of the RSwNCB is by tradition also a musician in the band hence plays his/her instrument at indoor concerts.
Read more about this topic: Royal Swedish Navy Cadet Band
Famous quotes containing the words drum major, the first, drum and/or major:
“We call ourselves a free nation, and yet we let ourselves be told what cabs we can and can’t take by a man at a hotel door, simply because he has a drum major’s uniform on.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“It shall be said that gods are stone.
Shall a dropped stone drum on the ground,
Flung gravel chime? Let the stones speak
With tongues that talk all tongues.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“Society needs to condemn a little more and understand a little less.”
—John Major (b. 1943)