Leadership

[Liquid Midget]

I believe that a bands performance is proportional to its level of leadership. How should a Section Leader/Drum Major be picked, and what abilities do you think a Leader should portray and act?

[Danpod]

Every program has their own criteria for picking their Drum Majors and Section Leaders. Some programs put more emphasis on musical ability. Other programs put more emphasis on Seniority.

 

However, character is a common thread that ties all these leaders together. No matter what position is being filled, the program must ask themselves the following question when analyzing each candidate: When times are tough and the morale of the program is at its lowest, is this the person to look up to? Any leader in this activity must have the ability to inspire his or her fellow band mates. A true leader in this activity must have the ability to get his or her section to run through a brick wall for the good of the program and be happy to do so.

 

Unfortunately, the process of selecting leaders is often screwed up by a lot of programs, for various reasons. Some programs pick leaders that don't even get along with each other. When leaders don't get along, their cumulative direction on the field is not clear. When they all start to talk, it just ends up as noise and nothing gets accomplished. An alarming trend that I have heard about is using how well "connected" the potential leader's parents are to the program as part of the criteria for leadership selection. Does a parent's involvement with the program really determine how well of a leader their son or daughter will be? I highly doubt it, yet some programs rely heavily on the social connection to determine who is a leader and who isn't.

[rpd]

I believe that a section leader should be the hardest working member of the section. Especially during those last thirty minutes of rehearsal where everyone wants to go home. If the section leader starts walking back to there spot lackadaisically, the section members will start doing the same.

 

Leaders also need to find a balance of being assertive, yet not bringing the morale of the band member down. Morale is what I believe the most important key to the success of a band program. And there always needs to be people to bring it up.

[JediSaxSolis]

  Liquid Midget said:

I believe that a bands performance is proportional to its level of leadership. How should a Section Leader/Drum Major be picked, and what abilities do you think a Leader should portray and act?

 

I agree with you. I think that's true with any organization; be it a corporation or a non-profit organization.

 

I think one of the most important traits an effective leader can have is that of humility. Being part of the team is key. If there's any level of narcissism present in the leader, it shows that they're too insecure to lead a group of people effectively. It also hurts the morale of the group when the leader doesn't truly care for the people he/she serves since they're too concerned with their self-perception. I'm not saying a leader can't be confident, but there's a fine line between an overly-inflated ego and showing confidence.

 

I also think that a leader needs to be experienced and able to continuously excel at whatever the particular organization does. The leader has to be able to visualize excellence and understand what they need to do to carry the group to whatever goal the organization desires. If the leader doesn't act on the vision of the group, productivity lessens and it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve the group's goals.

 

In my opinion, the next most important thing would be the leader's level of optimism and how influential the leader can be. No one likes a pessimist; more than that, no one is going to listen to what a pessimist has to say if they're constantly bringing the morale and unity of the group down.

 

All in all, there are many ways to describe an effective leader. It's a very broad topic. Have good character. Show ethical values and morals. Be an example and an influence. If you really do care about the people and the well-being of the organization and you take the proper steps to ensure that you're an upstanding member of the organization... the majority of people will notice, respect, and call you their leader for it.

 

As for selection of Section Leaders and Drum Majors, I agree with Dan. Every program is different in their criteria.

From where I stand, though, effective leadership is universal.

 

I'd encourage you to read some books on leadership by either John C. Maxwell or Stephen R. Covey. They're both great authors, renowned speakers, and they explain leadership in great detail. Check them out!

Edited September 15, 2008 by JediSaxSolis

[Liquid Midget]

"I believe that a section leader should be the hardest working member of the section. Especially during those last thirty minutes of rehearsal where everyone wants to go home. If the section leader starts walking back to there spot lackadaisically, the section members will start doing the same."

 

-rpd

 

 

section leaders need to be the best marchers and players on the field. how are people supposed to learn how to march when the "teachers" cant even do it well. also a section leaders job isnt to just tell people to be quite all the time. the need to be proactive. fix forms and spacing.

 

DS uses a point system. it is based on a preliminary resume, essay, and teacher recommendations. Whoa whoa whoa! Teacher Recommendations? The only teachers that should be involved in band matters are the directors. idk how many times our head director has said the people over in the main part of the school dont know what happens out here. so why should they dictate what happens with the leadership. point systems in general are shaky because the point will spit out someone who looks amazing on paper but may not be able to perform well. The final part of the try out is great. marching, playing, teaching, conducting, and interview. great! but i think it should be a mix of the second portion, student vote, and ultimately a director decision. they know who will be the best leader. not the best looking on paper.

Edited September 15, 2008 by Liquid Midget

[treyj]

Yeah i'd say you choose the person who everyone is going to look up to, and listen to.

 

character would have to be the biggest we look for in our band.

 

Who is going to do the right thing all the time?

 

There are many qualities that define a leader.

 

And you don't necessarily have to have a title to be a leader.

[rpd]

  Liquid Midget said:

"I believe that a section leader should be the hardest working member of the section. Especially during those last thirty minutes of rehearsal where everyone wants to go home. If the section leader starts walking back to there spot lackadaisically, the section members will start doing the same."

 

-rpd

 

 

section leaders need to be the best marchers and players on the field. how are people supposed to learn how to march when the "teachers" cant even do it well. also a section leaders job isnt to just tell people to be quite all the time. the need to be proactive. fix forms and spacing.

 

Typically the hardest working person in the section IS the best marcher and player. I also don't believe in seniority. While yes it helps, it shouldn't be the deciding factor. So if one worked hard their freshmen year, and is a better marcher and player than any of the seniors or juniors, I believe they should get it. Of course that's also taking into account their attitude.

 

I agree with your last sentence though

Edited September 15, 2008 by rpd

[Liquid Midget]

  rpd said:

Typically the hardest working person in the section IS the best marcher and player. I also don't believe in seniority. While yes it helps, it shouldn't be the deciding factor. So if one worked hard their freshmen year, and is a better marcher and player than any of the seniors or juniors, I believe they should get it. Of course that's also taking into account their attitude.

 

I agree with your last sentence though

 

Ya thats what im trying to do with the section leaders at my school. They worry too much about Being set or talking that they overlook what their there for. I was that freshman that worked hard but never had enough points. so im trying to do it vicariously through the section leaders as a senior.

[rpd]

Yeah, that's why I don't agree with that system. When I was a freshmen, I didn't want to march, I missed summer band and didn't march the show. And I blew off band in middle school. I wish I was kidding about this, but im not, I didn't even know my Bb scale coming into high school. I would have gotten zero points and be behind everyone, even though I became one of the stronger players and marchers the last 3 years of my school career; and have decided to major in Music Ed.

Edited September 15, 2008 by rpd