Conducting is a skill often reserved for student leaders, particularly drum majors, or postponed until college. However, teaching conducting techniques within high school and even middle school music ensembles can improve students’ general musicality.

To become a high school drum major, develop leadership skills and practice conducting as well as marching patterns. Participate in auditions , attend training workshops for drum majors, and learn from your band director's experience .

Ask your band or corps director or a previous drum major for instruction. You can practice conducting to a recording of your band's music or other recorded music. Unlike conducting an orchestra, conducting as a drum major is generally done with a flat or slightly-curved hand, fingers together.

In this article, I’ve compiled all of the best tips and strategies from working closely with hundreds of band directors and drum majors through our high school drum major clinics and from our experience building the Genesis Drum Major program and creating our online drum major course, Drum Major Essentials.

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.