Lately I have heard/read much discussion concerning the relative merits of various Drum Majors. Although such discussion is often influenced by school partisanship and/or romantic interests, I thought it might be helpful if an unbiased third party weighed in on the topic.

Although there are many facets to the DM job that are effectively "unmeasurable" in a contest setting, many of the technical aspects of the position are both observable and scorable in performance. As an adjudicator of Drum Majors for the past ten seasons, here are the items I look for when tasked with ranking the DMs in a given class and awarding the "Best in Class" trophy:

1. Command Skills: Vocal and visual signals should be given in a strong, precise manner, and should be impossible to mistake or misinterpret. Credit is also awarded those DMs who signal more, rather than less (or not at all).

2. Conducting Skills: The basic pattern should be readable at all times from all angles; it should vary in size with the dynamics of the music, and should change styles with the music as well. The downbeat should always be 50% larger than any other beat. The left hand should be used independently of the right hand, to indicate dynamics, articulations, phrasings, and rhythmic cues, as well as "mirroring" ONLY when the music demands such (beginning/end of tune, meter/tempo changes, F & FF dynamics). There should be appropriate use of the head, facial expressions, stance, and body direction to communicate musicianship and enhance the performance. Tempo maintenance and control are also vital in this category; the DM must exhibit awareness and control of the tempo at all times.

3. Performance Skills: Posture and appearance are credited here; the DM should LOOK like a leader at all times.
   Showmanship and salutes are evaluated in this category, with credit given both for communication with the audience and vigorous execution of showmanship features. Integration into the show is also credited; DMs who contribute to the field show (in some way other than conducting) are more valuable assets to the band as a whole. "Matching" of multiple DMs is evaluated; they should be identical at all times when conducting, although field-level DMs need not cue, and should raise the floor of the beat to visible levels. Stamina and intensity are also credited; the DM must lead the band in this aspect, as well.

Although there are obviously many other aspects of Drum Majoring that are never seen by audience or judge, the items listed above are sampled at random times during the performance to arrive at the DMs "score". When a Drum Major is obviously attending to all of these considerations, you are observing a fine DM.

I am firmly convinced that the DMs in SW Indiana are, as a whole, quite sophisticated in technique and performance. When you attend your next contest, observe the items listed above and BE YOUR OWN JUDGE!

	Art Ayde is a past director at both South Spencer and F.J. Reitz High School and now contributes to the activity through adjudicating contests & administering clinics for drum majors. He can be reached by email at aradye1957@hotmail.com
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