Student Leaders

The Drum Major Audition

usually consists of a four part process. Candidates must successfully demonstrate competency in all four parts to be considered for this position. Often there will be two drum majors - one will focus on street mace work, and one will focus on field conducting. Both, however, must be competent conductors and mace performers since they will be backing each other up incase one or the other cannot fulfill the required duties.

The Directors may choose 0, 1, or 2 drum majors for the approaching season.

The auditions are usually held during the final exam time for A period. Successful candidates will compete in the following areas:

1. Each candidate will conduct either all, or part, of the past season opener. Or, the director may choose other music to conduct. The amount conducted will depend on hwo many candidates there are auditioning.

2. Each candidate will demonstrate the ability to call out and excute fundamental marching commands. Each candidate will command the other candidates.

3. Each candidate will perform a mace routine that includes a roll-off flourish, step-off whistles, keeping time with the mace, a salute and a whistle halt.

4. Each candidate will be interviewed by a committee which will include the directors, the current drum major(s) and any other staff that may be available. Questions will include subjects about leadership issues, and will probe each candidates ability to function as THE primary student leader for the SAMOHI Marching Band.

Section Leader Interviews

In the Samohi Viking Marching Band, section leaders are the most important part of our student leadership. A successful section leader should be one who demonstrates commitment, integrity, and who has achieved a high level of musical proficiency. A section leader should be prepared to lead by both word and example. Section leaders are the student teachers for this ensemble. Student leaders should be prepared to invest more time into this program than the regular marching band memeber.

Please be prepared to provide brief answers to questions from the teachers/drum majors - a sample of questions that may be asked are:

- Why do you want this position?
- What are your musical strengths?
- Can you play as well as or better than most students who will be in your section?
- How do you get along with other students?
- In what ways do you set yourself apart from other students as a leader?
- Can you separate your role as a friend from your role as a leader?
- How do you tell a friend that they are not behaving, performing correctly?
- What is your attendance record? (Warning - the teachers can quickly check your answer against attendance/tardy records!)
- What is your promptness record?
- What do you plan to do if you do not get this position?
- What does honor mean?