A drum major or field commander is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps and is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble, leading them while marching, and directing them what to play, when to play, the dynamic or volume of playing, and what time to keep. The commands may be given verbally, through hand gestures, using a whistle or a baton, or with a mace.
In addition, the drum major serves as the liaison between the band director and the band. Essentially, a drum major is the leader who keeps the tempo with the use of a baton or other forms of time-keeping, such as conducting. The drum major often holds the responsibility to keep the band organized and structured.
History
The position of drum major originated in the English army with the Corps of Drums in 1650. Military groups performed mostly duty calls and battle signals during that period, and a fife and drum corps, directed by the drum major, would use short pieces to communicate to field units. With the arrival of military concert bands and pipe bands around the 18th century, the position of the drum major was adapted to those ensembles.
Traditionally, a military drum major was responsible for: Defending the drummers and bandsmen (The drums and bugles were communication devices) Military discipline of all Corps of Drums members The Corps of Drums' overall standards of dress and deportment Corps of Drums administrative work Maintain the Corps of Drums' standard of military drill and choreograph marching movements
The drum major was also given duties in the battalion at several points in history, which included the administering of military justice (flogging) to any member of the battalion, and collecting the battalion's post.
In addition to the duties above, the British Army also included a royal appointment of drum major general, whose duties included inspecting all other field music as well as (per The Drummer's Handbook) granting drummers licenses without which, one would not be recognized as a drummer. This position faded in the 18th century.
Roles Conductor Drum majors are responsible for knowing the music of the ensemble and conducting it appropriately. While also knowing the tempo the drum major has to know what specific pattern he or she needs to perform in order to accommodate physical stamina or musical style.
Current drum majors use a variety of conducting patterns and styles that suit the needs of their respective marching bands and/or drum corps. The most commonly used pattern is called the "down-in-out-up" pattern. During the 1970s and prior it was not uncommon for a stationary drum major to do a high-lift mark time on the podium for an audible and visual tempo; with the arrival of increasingly higher drum major platforms and thus greater visibility this has become both dangerous and unnecessary and has become obsolete.
Assisting musicality In addition to memorizing the music (between six and nine minutes of music is typical for high school marching bands, college bands and drum corps may have that much or more, up to more than eleven minutes of music) a drum major must memorize dynamics as well as tempo in order to provide proper direction and cues, particularly in area where the drum major has some discretion, such as a ritardando or fermata.
Performer Drum majors have slightly different roles within the world of traditional show bands. Many college bands have drum majors who are very much part of the visual element of a field show. Rather than conduct as a corps-style drum major would, traditional drum majors often march on the field with the band, using a mace or baton to keep time and flourish their own movements. Drum majors in the Big Ten and HBCUs have a particularly prominent role. While most of them do not conduct as much as a corps drum major, they lead the band onto the field, often after having several seconds for a short performance by themselves (a drum major backbend is traditional in many schools). During dance routines, they often move along with the bands. As traditional drum majors have much more of a visual role than corps drum majors, there are often many more of them, sometimes up to ten drum majors to a single band.
Leader The drum major position is one of leadership, instruction, and group representation, but usually not administrative duties. A band director or corps director assumes administrative responsibility. In the absence of the band director, the drum major often carries the authority of the director or instructor and assumes complete leadership over the band.
Equipment
Uniform
American style American style is among the most common styles displayed in the United States. Drum majors of this style will often wear a uniform different from the rest of the band (which may either be a show-specific uniform, or a custom uniform based on the school's uniform or colors) and is a slight modification of the standard uniform. It can be as simple as extra shoulder decorations, a cape, different-colored plumes (which are feathers that go atop a helmet or hat), or a chain on the helmet, or as complicated as a specialized chest section or a different color uniform, which is designed to help the drum major stand out.
Some high school drum majors do not wear a different uniform, however, and are recognized by their field or parade position. It is mostly a director's discretion, and is more common only on the high school level.
HBCU style
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have cultivated a distinct drum major style that emphasizes both musical leadership and athletic, theatrical performance. HBCU drum majors are renowned for their high-energy field entrances, intricate backbends, elaborate mace and baton flourishes, and synchronized dance movements that complement the visual and musical performance of the band. Unlike traditional corps-style drum majors who primarily conduct, HBCU drum majors often function as both performers and leaders, blending showmanship with musical direction. Their role is central to the identity and competitive spirit of the band, often serving as cultural ambassadors who uphold long-standing traditions unique to HBCU marching bands.
They frequently lead multiple drum majors within a band, coordinating intricate formations and ensuring both musical accuracy and dramatic visual effects during halftime shows, parades, and competitions. HBCU drum majors also participate in competitions that judge style, creativity, charisma, and overall leadership, reflecting a holistic approach that combines artistry with discipline.
British and other European styles In British and European tradition, a drum major usually wears the same uniform as the rest of the band with the additional of a diagonal sash.
Scottish style The Scottish style is commonly found in pipe bands and some high school marching bands. The Scottish style can be divided into two broad categories: Scottish daywear and Scottish regimental.
Daywear Drum majors in Scottish daywear will typically wear a kilt (although some may choose not to in competitive settings in places such as the Highland games to score higher on dress inspection), pipers hoses and flashes, a sporran (typically without long horse hairs), some sort of formal jacket, and a Glengarry or Balmoral.
Regimental Drum majors in Scottish regimental will typically wear a kilt, spats, a sporran (typically with long horse hairs), a jacket, and a feather bonnet.
Mace The mace is a piece of equipment used to give certain commands when marching. A mace is longer than a baton and usually has the drum major beat time with the ferrule pointed down and the dome pointed up. Maces are used in Scotland, England, India, and in many American bands. Drum majors will typically use certain mace positions and audible calls to tell the band when to start and stop marching, and when to turn marching.
The mace is also a very important part of the performance aspect of a drum major. Drum majors usually spin their mace and perform tricks such as the prop-spin, roundhouses, tosses, and parallels.
Baton Baton is another a piece of equipment used to give certain commands when marching that's used almost exclusively by certain American bands. Batons serve the same purpose as a mace.
Whistle Some drum majors will use a whistle to give the audible parts of commands instead of shouting them verbally. This is most common in the American style.
Podium When a band is not marching, the drum major may conduct from a podium so that the performers can better see them.
United States marching bands
Drum majors lead bands and drum & bugle corps in the U.S. Drum & bugle corps are predominant in Europe and Japan.The U.S. is the only country where most high schools, colleges, and universities have marching bands and drum majors. Drum majors primarily use whistle and baton or mace and vocal commands to cause the band to start marching and/or playing according to the planned performance. This requires timing skills on the field or street, so that the band starts and finishes at the designated spot. As the name implies, the drum major in reality, commands the drum section of the band – whistle commands are heard first, drums sounds ensue, and then music fills the air. The drum major usually wears a more elaborate uniform that is representative of the authority and responsibility of a field commander. A tall hat, such as the busby, is often part of the uniform in most American-style bands.
Field shows Both high school and college field shows usually begin and end with a hand 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. A drum major is also responsible for calling the band to attention, beginning, and conducting the show. 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.
To see one to three drum majors in most ensembles is typical. 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 solo.
A marching band or drum corps drum major (field conductor) is in charge of holding the band or corps together, and directing the entire band or 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.