John F Kennedy Drum Major Rules May 14, 2011
AMERICAN COMPETITIONS DRUM MAJOR RULES
By Brennan England, Tom Peacock and the Drum Major Rules Committee January 2006 Abel
Acosta, Mark Aguero, Ashley Carter, Michelle Denni, Mike Hensley, Chris Kotlewski, Patrick
Lee, Miriam Lieu, Richard Naranjo, Mike Spillman, Preston Shepard, Scott Thomsen & Wendy
Tye
PURPOSE
# 100 - Purpose of the Competitions - The purpose of the competitions is to promote the art of
drum majoring. They are a learning experience with efforts to advance the abilities of drum
majors in the field of drum majoring. Judging is done on cassette tapes (supplied by the
competition) allowing the judge more time to observe routine and give helpful comments.
Rewards are given to those showing the best ability in each division.
# 101 - “L” Pattern Competition - The “L” competition is to show what a drum major is capable
of doing “as the leader of a marching band”. The judging is to be as if a band is following the
drum major. All signals and moves that the drum major does should keep this aspect foremost in
the routine. The “L” pattern consists of the following: Start, Left Turn, Counter March, Right
Turn, Salute and Halt. Beating of time is done between each signal.
# 102 - Field Conducting Competition The competition is to show that the drum major is capable
of conducting the band. The competition for field conducting is judged as if conducting a band
on a football field.
# 103 - Judgment Calls - Some of the following rules and guidelines do not have penalties set up.
Deduction in points to the drum major’s score is up to the discretion of the judge for the severity
of any rule infraction. Rulings that are not followed may affect more then one area of the
scoring.
“L” PATTERN RULES DIVISIONS - “L” PATTERN
# 109.1 - Division you qualify for at the start of the season will be the division for the complete
season. You do not move up after placing. You MAY at any time compete in a higher division
but this also may move you next year into a higher division if you place.
# 110.1 - Allowed Grades - 5th grade to 12th grade students
# 110.2 -APPRENTICE DIVISION - Drum Major has not placed 1st in an event with at least 5
total competitors in division or 2nd in an event with at least 6 total competitors in division at any
kind of Drum Major event whether in parade, festival or “L” pattern. If PLACED at State
Championship, then Drum Major MUST move to the next Division. PENALTY - Disqualified
from competition.
# 110.3 - MAJORS DIVISION - Drum Major has not placed 1st with at least 5 total competitors
in MAJOR division or 2nd with at least 6 total competitors in the MAJOR division in the
previous year in “L” pattern competition and has not placed 1st at any other event with at least 5
total competitors in division whether in parade or festival. If PLACED at State Championship,
then Drum Major MUST move to the next Division. PENALTY - Disqualified from competition.
# 110.4 - MASTERS DIVISION - Open division. Any High School Students
# 110.5 - DIVISION LIMITS - Competitors are limited to one division per equipment style.
Competitors are also limited to one conducting division. Competitors may enter other divisions
for exhibition. PENALTY - Disqualified from second division. This rule will be in effect for the
2008 season, not for the current season.
BATON AND MACE CATEGORIES
# 112.1 - Military Baton can not be used in Mace divisions
# 112.2 - Maces can not be used in Military Baton divisions
# 112.3 - 30″ to 41″ is considered a Drum Major Baton and is used in the Military Baton
Division.
# 112.4 - 42″ to 50″ is a Military Signal Baton and must be used in the Military Baton Division.
# 112.5 - 51″ and up is considered a Mace and can only be used in the Mace Division.
MUSIC “L” PATTERN
# 114.1 - Music must not have any words in it. PENALTY - 5 points
# 114.2 - Music must be at the start of the tape. No other music which is not being used for
competition purpose can be at the start of the tape. It is the competitor’s responsibility to have
the tape ready for the performance. If tape was used before in a different division it is the job of
the competitor to have tape reset and ready to go. PENALTY 5 points
# 114.3 - Music tempo minimum is 90 beats per minute, which is 15 beats for each 10 seconds.
PENALTY - 3 points
# 114.4 - Time signature of music must not change throughout routine.
# 114.5 - Musical selection must be long enough to support “L” pattern.
# 114.6 - If music cuts off in any part of routine, due to machinery or tape breaking, the drum
major must continue as if music was still on staying in the same tempo or rhythm used with
music. Judging will continue as if music was on. No penalty will be given to drum major.
UNIFORM FOR THE “L” PATTERN
# 116.1 - Drum Major must be in a uniform of some type. Street clothes are not considered as a
uniform. A Band, Drum Major or tux style uniform is mandatory. If Tux style uniform is used, a
Tux shirt, tie, pants and some form of Jacket must be used. Some form of headgear is mandatory.
PENALTY - 5 points.
Drum Majors please note - you could be inspected and get a perfect score, but receive a 5 point
penalty if uniform is not acceptable by the “L” Judge.
# 116.2 - To be considered as a British or Scottish Drum Major your uniform MUST show
evidence of the Scottish or British Style.
# 116.3 - There will be a standing inspection at the competition line or an inspection area. Those
entered in more than 1 division on the “L” patterns will have only 1 inspection before their first
performance. If late for inspection there will be a penalty. Penalty - 1 point NO LONGER
APPLICABLE SEE #116.3A
#116.3A - There will be a standing inspection at the competition line. Those entered in more than
1 division on the “L” patterns will have to be inspected again in every division they enter.
(Revised Winter, 2006)
“L” PATTERN ROUTINE RULES DIMENSIONS
# 118 - “L” pattern retraced 150′ by 70′ (you must stay on the line of march at all times or a
penalty may be given)
ORDER OF “L” ROUTINE
# 120
1. Forward March (Competition Start)
2. Left Turn (At corner of “L”)
3. Counter March (At end of “L” start of retracing)
4. Right Turn (At corner of “L”)
5. Salute
6. Mark Time
7. Halt
TIMING OF “L” PATTERN
# 121.1 - Maximum time is 4 minutes. Penalty for over time is 5.0 points
# 121.2 - Timing starts with the first MOVEMENT FROM DRUM MAJOR AFTER verbal
commands are given or direction of the judge to “Please start your routine.”
# 121.3 - Timing ends when the dismissal command is given and the word “DISMISSED” is
said. If no “dismissed” command PENALTY - 3.0
ORAL COMMANDS
# 123 - Verbal commands - Judge will say what commands or how many to give. Drum Major
please note that an “Attention” command should be the first command given.
WHISTLE OR VERBAL COMMANDS THROUGHOUT “L”
# 125 - VERBAL SIGNALS ARE ONLY ALLOWED FOR SCOTTISH OR BRITISH DRUM
MAJORS
# 125.1 - At the left turn, right turn, counter march and halt a whistle or oral command must be
given.
# 125.2 - A whistle or verbal signal must be given for the preparatory (usually a longer whistle
sound or the word “band”) segment of each command.
# 125.3 - A whistle or verbal signal must be given for the execution (usually a short whistle or
word “march or Halt”) segment of each command given.
STEP OFF
# 127.1 - Scottish or British style Drum Majors are the only Drum Majors allowed to use verbal
for step off. # 127.2 - A step off routine with the use of props, flourishes, tosses, change of
planes or any other standing moves, must end in appropriate positions below:
# 127.2a - The Military Baton position for step off command is with the tip end up. Tip must
be higher than the tallest part of drum major’s uniform including plume.
# 127.2b - The Mace position for step off command is with either end of the mace above the
shoulder.
# 127.3 - A signal used for a turn or counter march signal is not allowed for a step off signal.
BEATING OF TIME
# 129.1 - Beating of time must be shown between each command. A cane walk or strut step is a
supplement to beating of time and should not be considered beating of time.
# 129.2 - Beating of time must be a consistent style throughout music and time signature must
not change.
# 129.3 - Drum majors should beat time a minimum of 24 steps on the first section of the “L”
pattern.
TURNS AND COUNTER MARCH
# 131.1 - For left, right and counter march a whistle or verbal (verbal for Scottish or British only)
command must be given when preparatory and execution commands are performed.
# 131.2 - Military baton tip must face the direction in which band is to move.
# 131.3 - Mace tip or arm movement must signal the direction in which band is to go.
# 131.3a - If using arm movements a preparatory and an execution command must still be given.
SALUTE
# 133 - A salute consists of a preparatory part (a combination of different moves), and an
execution part (the salute itself).
# 133.1 - A salute must be given during routine at marked salute line (Approximately 75′ from
right turn).
# 133.2 - Salute execution is given 6 steps before salute line and 6 steps after salute line. At the
salute line there will be an object (American Flag, Reviewing officer, chair etc.) even with the
salute line and off to the right side of the “L”.
# 133.3 - Salute is given on the last long leg of the “L” pattern.
# 133.4 - Drum majors using baton may not use a hand salute.
# 133.5 - Drum majors using mace must use a hand salute.
HALT SEQUENCE
# 135.1 - A Mark-Time signal must be given first before the halt is given and must be facing
band.
# 135.2 - A Halt signal is to follow the Mark time signal.
# 135.3 - A verbal “Band Dismissed” must be given before moving away from competition line.
Penalty 3.0
PENALTIES
# 137.1 - Besides penalties stated above (#114.1, #114.2, #114.3, #116.1, #116.3, #121.1,
#121.3), the following penalties will also be given for each infraction of penalty:
# 137.1a - SLIP - Lose control of mace or military baton. Penalty -1.0
# 137.1b - DROP - Military baton or mace touches the ground due to a loss of control.
Drum Major MUST pick up each time military baton or mace falls. Penalty -3.0
# 137.1c - OUT OF STEP - The footing should directly correlate with the music throughout
routine. If at any point drum major changes this above condition it is considered OUT OF STEP.
Penalty -5.0
The drum majors left foot is on the first beat of each measure and the right foot is on the
second beat of each measure.
#137.2 - Competitor must be ready fifteen minutes prior to their scheduled time. PENALTY - 1.0
FIELD CONDUCTING RULES
FIELD CONDUCTING COMPETITION DIVISIONS
# 140.1 - Allowed Grades - 5th grade to 12th grade students.
# 140.2 - DIVISION I - Drum Majors not placing 1st in an event with at least 5 competitors in
division or 2nd in an event with at least 6 total competitors in division for conducting in any
form of competition. This would include parade, festivals, field shows, conducting with or
without a band. PENALTY - Disqualified from competition
# 140.3 -DIVISION II - Open Division and for drum majors who have placed in some form of
conducting competition.
MUSIC FOR CONDUCTING
# 142.1 - Drum Major must conduct to the National Anthem for the first eight measures and the
last eight measures in addition to their choice of music. We hope to make this music available for
you to download from our web site or we will send you a copy upon request for approximately
$2.50. THE ABOVE RULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AS OF 1/10/01
# 142.2 - Drum Major’s selection of music must not have any words in it. PENALTY - 5 points
# 142.3 - Music must be at the start of the tape. No other music which is not being used for
competition purpose can be at the start of the tape. It is the competitor’s responsibility to have
the tape ready for the performance. If tape was used before in a different division it is the job of
the competitor to have the tape reset and ready to go. PENALTY 5 points
# 142.4 - If music cuts off in any part of routine, due to machinery or tape breaking, drum major
must continue as if music was still on staying in the same tempo or rhythm used with music.
Judging will continue as if music was on. No penalty will be given to drum major.
UNIFORM FOR CONDUCTING
# 144.1 - Drum Major must be in a uniform of some type. Street clothes are not considered as a
uniform. A Band, Drum Major, tux or costume style uniform is mandatory. Headgear is optional.
PENALTY - 5 points
# 144.2 - No standing inspection will be given for Conducting Divisions.
FIELD CONDUCTING ROUTINE RULES TIMING OF CONDUCTING ROUTINE
There is not a minimum of time. It is to the drum major’s advantage to use as much time as
possible to give the judge enough to judge on.
# 148 - Maximum time of 3 minutes starting with the first beat of your music choice. PENALTY
FOR OVER - 5 points
# 148.1 - Competitor must be ready to compete fifteen minutes prior to their scheduled time.
PENALTY - 1 point
ORDER OF CONDUCTING ROUTINE
# 150.1- Drum Major will start the routine with a standing hand salute.
# 150.3 - Conduct the music of Drum Major’s choice.
# 150.4 - Drum Major will end routine with a hand salute or bow.
JUDGED ON
# 152.1 - Appearance, music interpretation, directing patterns, variety of music/conducting,
salute, showmanship and musical choice.
PENALTIES
# 153 - Conductor must conduct each beat of music. Loss of beat PENALTY - 3.o