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A Tambour-Major of the French Imperial Guard (historical reenactment). The position of drum major originated in the British Army with the Corps of Drums in 1650. [citation needed] Military groups performed mostly duty calls and battle signals during that period, and a fife and drum corps, directed by the drum major, would use short pieces to communicate to field units.
Another major task for drum majors is giving certain drill commands to the entire to denote whether to turn to the left or right, perform a counter march or mark time, or halt and cut off the music. Depending on the size of the band, there may be up to four drum majors on hand, with one serving as the senior drum major.
The Drum Major of the United States Marine Band leading the band during a military parade. All USMC field bands are required to perform as a range of ensembles such as ceremonial band and big band. Additionally, the bands are required to engage in regular Marine training and uphold the standards for Marines. [1]
Master Sergeant Kevin D. Buckles, former Drum Major of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps "The Commandant's Own" holding a ceremonial mace. The brass instruments played by "The Commandant's Own" are bugles pitched in G. There are 4 sections within the hornline: Soprano Bugle, Mellophone Bugle, Baritone Bugle, and Contrabass Bugle.
A fife and drum corps in the United States is a type of military band that originated in European armies in the 16th century. These corps feature drums, flutes or fifes, and bugles. These corps are led by a drum major who delivers commands using a mace or spontoon.
The field leader in drum & bugle corps is called a drum major. Some corps appoint more than one, but there is usually one designated chief drum major who leads the corps in both marching direction and musical direction. Traditional corps drum majors are effective showmen who command the corps in all venues.
The Drum Major was considered the Leader of the Marine Band, while the Fife Major's responsibility was to train the fifers. The first leader of the United States Marine Band was William Farr, listed in historical records as having served as Drum Major from January 21, 1799. After the retirement of Drum Major Raphael Triay in 1855, then-Fife ...
The drum major of the Fife and Drum Corps traditionally bears an espontoon [11] (a historic pike-like weapon) in his right hand to direct and command his unit. [11] As such, he is the only soldier in all the U.S. Armed Forces authorized to bear a spontoon and to salute with the left hand [ 12 ] (although U.S. Navy personnel are allowed to ...