By Anna Hopkins
How many can distinctively conduct the “The Star-Spangled Banner” in ¾ time using the appropriate cut-offs and the upbeat introductions? How many can direct a band marching backward and keeping time to the parade style songs? These are only the tryouts, while in reality the job of field commander entitles much more.
Tuesday, May 26 at North Marion High School, the North Marion band members under the direction of Mr. Straight stayed after school in eager anticipation of the field commander tryouts. Eight upcoming seniors (Marshall Sherry, Sarah Wikle, Bailey Deese, Jessica Rogers, Brandon Parlett, Holly Harris and Christian Collins) and three upcoming juniors (Lacey Cyphers, Sarah Night and Reuben Bland) competed for the field commander and drum major positions.
The actual job of the field commander is to conduct the band through the field shows during football season and to lead the band through parades. Not only is the field commander responsible for the tempo of the music, but he or she is responsible for representing the student population of the band. In parade formation, the strides of the field commander is used to measure the distance in which every band member is to hold throughout the parade. The strides of the field commander are standards of the high school band in all aspects.
The drum major has an equally important role, only with a change of band members. The drum major’s main job is to conduct the middle school band for parades, but the influence of the drum major on middle school students is immeasurable. Impressionable middle school students have always looked up to the drum major as a role model because of his or her high school status and willingness to participate in middle school activities.
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