So, here's the situation:

I was thinking about trying out for sectionleader of our drumline next year, and was wondering, what difference is there between being the section leader of a high school drumline, and a college drumline? Feel free to tell me about anything that comes to mind.

thanks

Well...at least in my experience, In high school I did alot of babysitting; while in college I just have to "manage the whole" (if you know what I mean), since the section leaders pretty much take care of their own sections.

I can only speak for myself though. I am sure there are college lines out there, unfortunately, that have horrendous chemestries and work-ethics, but I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a bunch of great guys and galls, who all take care of business.

In a college drumline section leader position, you are more involved with logistics, such as planning and organizing events and outside performances, overseeing the writing of drum parts for half time shows, those kinds of things.

Actually useful things.

I remember there being a fantastic thread once talking about how unnecessary high school 'section leaders' are. Provided a good insight into the concept.

Here's how I think of it. A high school section leader could be considered more of a babysitter posistion in a sense. But also in high school the section leaders are usually role models and are more mature. Depending on the school's program , a high school section leader would mainly be like the drum tech's go to guy.

But basically a section leader of any level is like management. Highschool could be like the assistant manager posistion where your the assistant of the drum tech. Where as in college your the manager and make sure everything runs smoothly and may be responsabe for some of the drum tech's duties such as tuning drums, maintaining equipment and writting battery parts.

Both have their differences however they do have their similarities

Hope that helps.

Or they could be the drum tech. It really depends on the program and how it is built up. At my school, the captain is the man. They are pretty much in charge of everything (minus writing the show music). Outside of that, they are in charge.

My thoughts (though i've never been in college mind you), is that it really depends on the program you are in. It's going to be different just about anywhere you go. Some positions are more involved and others are less of a leadership position, it really depends.

In both instances, the only real job of the section leader that I can think of is to be the designated listening point (but not always), to tap off exercises, and to carry out the tech duties when the tech is not available such as calling exercises or finding a practice spot.

Generally once you reach a solid college program vs. a solid high school program, 1. The attitudes improve and players mature as people, leading to more responcibility taken on the individuals. 2. The technique among the individuals gets better (more skill, strength, and practice time.) and 3. There is better instruction, equipment, and budget. All of which lead to an easier, less frustrating, job for the designated section leader.

It all depends on what school you're going too. If you're at a school with an established program and large staff, then you may not have any more to do as a section leader than give tap offs and be the listening point.

However, if you're in a program with limited staff, then you may be heavily involved in running rehearsals, teaching marching and playing technique and even writing music.

I've been on both ends of the spectrum in my University's drumline. When I started there, the section leader had almost absolute control over the drumline. But our line has grown and with the addition of some very experienced staff, the section leader's job is much less involved.