Attention all potential Marching Band Section Leaders & Drum Majors!
Please see below the documents for all the application information you will need to apply for these positions
MARCHING BAND SECTION LEADER APPLICATION INFORMATION
(Including all woodwind and brass section leaders; guard and percussion captains, woodwind & brass captains and field crew captain; but NOT Drum Major)
The position of Section Leader is a very influential position in the marching band. It is the Section Leader who exercises and enforces the procedures and policies established by the staff and drum major. It is the Section Leader who usually develops the closest relationship with the students and often has the greatest impact on the attitude and performance of the section. This person must exhibit fine leadership and musical skills; and serve as an exceptional student role model. The responsibilities of the Section Leader include the following:
- Assist all members of the section with musical and marching responsibilities. The section leader is expected to have their music learned/memorized quickly and must understand all marching maneuvers required of the section. They are to monitor the musical and marching progress of the section. Sectionals are expected to be held whenever necessary. Section Leaders are to be available to check-off music when required.
- Assist the staff with administrative responsibilities including distribution and maintenance of music, instruments/equipment, and uniforms.
- Assist the staff in maintaining focus of attention and good discipline at all rehearsals and performances.
- Be a positive role model at all times; consistently promote group esprit de corps on and off the field.
- Keep the section informed of all responsibilities including schedules, band rules/policy, and performance logistics.
- Attend summer leadership meetings and weekly meetings with staff during the marching season.
The selection process for Section Leaders this spring will be slightly different than in previous years due to the “social-distancing” regulations and the hassle of having to meet online if you desire live feedback. In the effort to be efficient, we will first ask all candidates to thoroughly complete the attached questionnaire. If any additional information is desired, we will contact you directly.
After completing this questionnaire, I will ask you to email it me at jmarkoch@wcpss.net. (You may entirely retype it if you would like) You may also take a picture of the completed application and send it to me at 919-608-7092. You can even “snail-mail” it: Dr. Jerry Markoch, 1421 Balfour Downs Circle, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526. I am asking for receipt of all applications by Friday, May 29th. I will try to have all positioned posted by Friday, June 5th. Please note that your application will be kept confidential; however, it will be shared with the following students/teachers: Allison Starling, Anna Vtipil, John Antonelli, and Jennifer Mason/Harris.
Application for Marching Band Section Leader
Due to director by Friday, May 29th
Name _____________________________________ Grade (Fall, 2020) _____________
Email _____________________________________ Cell phone _________________
Full Address ________________________________________________
City __________________________________ Zip Code _________________
*For what position(s) are you applying? _____________________________________________________________________________________
Marching Instrument ______________________ # of Years in ADHS Marching Band _____
Have you been a Section Leader before? ______ GPA ________ Do you drive? _______
Will you have a job during the upcoming marching season? _____ If yes, please provide description and # of hours per week ______________________________________________________________________
Do you have any scheduling conflicts with summer/fall dates? ________ If yes, please list date and description of the conflict _____________________________________ ___________________________
1) Briefly comment on your skills and experience in each of the following areas of leadership. Be sure to highlight your strengths.
- Musical/Marching Skills:
(Do you know your stuff? Are you the best player/marcher in your section? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Social Skills:
(Would people want to follow you? Do others enjoy working with you? Do you have an emotionally stable, upbeat, positive personality? Can you be trusted to be “calm under pressure?” Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Organizational Skills
(Can you keep track of many responsibilities at the same time? Can you be trusted to follow through with commitments—no matter what the circumstances? Are you 100% reliable? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Teaching Skills
(Can you take charge? Can you inspire confidence by being confident? Can you sequence instruction? Are you patient with others? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
2) Describe yourself…your personality, work ethic, reason for being in the band.
3) Cite a time that truly “defined you” as a person–whether it was an achievement or a failure. Why?
4) Describe other positions of leadership that you have held (if any).
5) Discuss your relationship with the current members of your section (see attached roster). How do believe they perceive you? Have you taken the time to get to know them? Would it be natural to accept you as their leader? Why?
6) In your opinion, what would be the “best leadership roster” for your section? Who would be the section leader(s)? Co-leaders? Asst. Leaders?
7) For woodwind/brass captain candidates only: What skills, attributes, talents do you possess that makes you exceptionally qualified for this position?
8) If you are not selected to the position that you are applying for, would you still enthusiastically participate in our marching band next fall? Why?
Athens Drive High School Marching Band
2020 Schedule as of May 12, 2020
(Due to “social distancing” restrictions as a result of COVID-19, this schedule is very tentative; amends will be made in accordance with all regulations)
(All events at ADHS unless otherwise noted.)
“Summer”
July 20-23 Precamp 6:30pm-10:00pm
July 26-31 Bandcamp (N.C. Wesleyan) TBA
Aug.4-6; 11-13 Postcamp 6:30pm-10:00pm
“Fall”
Aug. 18 First After-School Rehearsal 3:00-5:30pm
Aug. 21 Football Game (vs. Holly Springs) 6:00-10:00pm
Aug. 28 Football Game (vs. Broughton) 6:00-10:00pm
Sept. 19 Saturday Rehearsal 9:00-9:00pm
Sept. 26 Competition #1 ` TBA
Oct. 3 Competition #2 TBA
Oct. 16 Football Game (vs. Riverside) 6:00-10:00pm
Oct. 17 Competition #3 TBA
Oct. 24 Competition #4 TBA
Oct. 30 Football Game (vs. Jordan) 6:00-10:00pm
Nov. 6 Football Game (vs. Cary) 6:00-10:00pm
Nov. 7 Competition #5 TBA
Nov. 10, 11, 12 No After-School Rehearsals
Nov. 17 & 19 Christmas Parade Rehearsals 3:00-5:00pm
Nov. 21 Raleigh Christmas Parade 8:00am-noon
Marching Band Banquet 1:30-4:30pm
Dec. 5 Apex Christmas Parade 3:00-7:00pm
Dec. 12 Cary Christmas Parade Noon-4:30pm
After School Rehearsal Schedule (8/18-11/5)
Tuesday & Thursday 3:00-5:30pm; Wednesday 3:00-5:00pm
(Guard & Percussion may differ slightly due to instructor availability. Rehearsal schedule for these groups will be provided ASAP.)
SAT Dates: Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5
Students may sign up to take the SAT on any of these dates; we will make certain that our performance schedule allows students to take the test in the morning/early afternoon.
Please contact the band director ASAP if there is a serious conflict with any of the above dates (jmarkoch@wcpss.net)
Drum Major Auditions for Fall, 2020
The Drum Major is the most visible student leader of the marching band. This person(s) must exhibit fine leadership and musical skills; and serve as an exceptional student role model. The responsibilities of the drum major are many and include the following:
- Conduct the marching band during rehearsals and performances.
- Conduct the pep band (subset of the marching band) as needed.
- Lead drum major auditions in Spring, 2021.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the content of all musical and marching material performed throughout the marching season.
- Assist the staff with the organization of rehearsals and performances; in particular, the drum major will lead group exercises, escort the band to the practice field, assist the staff in leading marching warm-ups and with teaching marching maneuvers, and assist the band captain and field crew captain in clearing the field, storing equipment, and cleaning the band room /music facilities.
- Assist the staff in maintaining focus of attention and good discipline.
- Promote group spirit and pride (esprit de corps), both on and off the field.
- Assist section leaders with marching and musical instruction; this includes attending percussion and guard rehearsals as needed.
- Assist with uniform and instrument inspections.
- Practice conducting, marching, and musicianship skills on a regular basis.
- Qualifications
- Must be a rising senior, junior or sophomore.
- Must have completed one year’s membership in the Athens Drive High School Marching Band.
- All applicants will be reviewed on the basis of maturity, commitment, work ethic, personal character, musical ability/musicianship, and past band record.
- Audition Process (amended this year due to “social-distancing” regulations due to COVID-19)
- Each candidate will send a video of their conducting the opener of our marching show last year (“Weather the Weather”). It is my understanding that most of the students interested have worked with/contacted Anna Vtipil, so this should not present a problem. The video can be sent to jmarkoch@wcpss.net or 919-608-7092. The video will be shared with John Antonelli, Laura Minick (our drum major instructor) and possibly one other band director in the state.
- Each candidate will complete the attached application. For the questions that align with the “Section Leader/Captain Questions,” you may simply cut and paste those responses. However, please note the questions specific to drum major (questions 5-11). Again, the application will be kept confidential but will be shared with the individuals noted above.
- The deadline for submission of the video and application is Friday, May 29th. I will try to have a leadership roster posted by Friday, June 5th.
Due to the virus regulations, the drum major(s) will NOT be required to participate in any type of summer camp. We will extend lessons in the fall if necessary to compensate for this absence.
The position of drum major is a one-year appointment. All returning students must reapply each spring for consideration.
Application for Drum Major
Due to director by Friday, May 29th
Name _____________________________________ Grade (Fall, 2020) _____________
Email _____________________________________ Cell phone _________________
Full Address ________________________________________________
City __________________________________ Zip Code _________________
# of Years in ADHS Marching Band _____
GPA ________ Do you drive? _______
Will you have a job during the upcoming marching season? _____ If yes, please provide description and # of hours per week ______________________________________________________________________
Do you have any scheduling conflicts with summer/fall dates? ________ If yes, please list date and description of the conflict _____________________________________ ___________________________
1) Briefly comment on your skills and experience in each of the following areas of leadership. Be sure to highlight your strengths.
- Musical/Marching Skills:
(Do you know your stuff? Are you the best player/marcher in your section? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Social Skills:
(Would people want to follow you? Do others enjoy working with you? Do you have an emotionally stable, upbeat, positive personality? Can you be trusted to be “calm under pressure?” Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Organizational Skills
(Can you keep track of many responsibilities at the same time? Can you be trusted to follow through with commitments—no matter what the circumstances? Are you 100% reliable? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
- Teaching Skills
(Can you take charge? Can you inspire confidence by being confident? Can you sequence instruction? Are you patient with others? Cite examples to PROVE IT!)
2) Describe yourself…your personality, work ethic, reason for being in the band.
3) Cite a time that truly “defined you” as a person–whether it was an achievement or a failure. Why?
4) Describe other positions of leadership that you have held (if any).
5) Discuss your relationship with the current members of the band (see attached roster). How do believe they perceive you? Have you taken the time to get to know them? Would it be natural to accept you as their leader? Why?
6) What is your definition of a successful drum major?
(What qualities are most desirable for a drum major to possess?)
(What is your definition of good leadership?)
7)Why do you want to be drum major?
8) If you are selected for this position, what will you do in the first week?
9) If you are selected for this position, what will you do in the first month?
10) If you are selected for this position, what kinds of things will you do throughout the season?
11) If you are not selected to the position of Drum Major, would you still enthusiastically participate in our marching band next fall? Why?
