HS Marching Band Student Leadership – Cresskill Music Department

HOW DO BECOME A CRESSKILL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND STUDENT LEADER?

1 - Drum Major candidates take part in an extensive Wednesday evening training program with Mrs. Krygsman to learn the basics of all things related to being the drum major. This includes but is not limited to conducting, mace twirling, whistle commands, marching basics, teaching, attitude, leadership concept and communication. In June, the candidates audition in front of a panel of judges who each score the candidates based on a rubric. The top scoring candidate will be offered the position.

2 - Section Leader candidate participate in a rigorous weekly training program with Mr. Verderese in the spring in which they discuss leadership concept, learn teaching strategies, practice working with small groups, learn terminology and practice skills. Concepts worked on include demonstrating and teaching marching basics, conducting, leadership concept, communication skills, problem solving, forward thinking, and many other aspects of leadership. At the conclusion of the audition training, there will be a formal audition and the top scoring candidates will be selected as leaders. Final selection of leaders is made by the marching band staff and is based on their audition as well as their prior performance & dependability. Students must be rising juniors or seniors to be eligible for leadership.

3 - Officers are voted on by the band in June of the previous school year. Any rising junior or senior is eligible to become an officer, as long as they have upheld the basic standards of behavior, attendance and effort in their previous years of marching band.

*INFORMATION ABOUT LEADERSHIP TRAINING WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS DURING THE SPRING SEASON OF THEIR SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR YEARS.

**FRESHMEN STUDENTS ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN DRUM MAJOR TRAINING IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET A HEAD START ON THE TRAINING PROCESS, BUT THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO AUDITION UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR, AS SOPHOMORES HEADING INTO JUNIOR YEAR.