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Drum Major:
The Drum Major is the head of the band when on
parade. Walking in front of the band the Drum Major is usually of imposing bearing, and
his drill is always flawless and his uniform immaculate. The Drum Major carries a
ceremonial mace and in military bands wears a sash bearing the important battle honours of
the regiment. |
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The Drum Major has usually
graduated to the position from the ranks of the drummers, although occasionally the Drum
Major is a piper. Often the pipers and drummers in a band will wear different tunics and
accoutrements, and sometimes different tartans. For example, by tradition drummers' tunics
are red following the model of the English regiments, while the pipers wear tunics of
"archer green" or black according to the tradition of the Scottish regiments.
The Drum Major will wear the same uniform as the drummers, albeit with a few
"extras", and the Drum Major is also allowed to carry a Sgian Dubh (a small
knife) slipped into the right hose (sock), as worn by the pipers. In military bands the
Drum Major carries the rank of Warrant Officer, the |
| senior rank for non-commissioned officers in
the army, and will carry a basket-hilt officer's sword. The Drum Major is repsonsible for discipline and dress in the band (including the
important role of mashalling the players at parades and competitions), but his primary
responsibility is to lead the band on parade by giving the drill commands. To do this the
Drum Major uses a combination of vocal commands and signals with the mace as it is
difficult to be heard over a pipe band! The mace will be held in different positions to
signify halts, marking time, wheels and the end of tunes. These signals are all made
without letting go of the mace, |
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| although some Drum Majors also "flourish" the
mace - that is, toss it spinning into the air. This is done only for show, and is not done
in military bands as the regimental mace is far too precious to risk dropping. Mace
flourishing, however, is spectacular when done well and is a big crowd pleaser at pipe
band competitions. |
Pipe Major
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