I am selecting a new drum major for the fall. Good kid that will do well.

Got an email from him the other day. He said how excited he was to do the job. He had a question, he asked, "I just want to make sure I'm on the same page with you, Mr. X. What are your expectations for me as drum major?"

I started to reply to him, and when I went to list what I expected of him.....

...I drew a complete blank.

As in I couldn't come up with ANYTHING to tell him. I am *still* blank. I am worried. I was drum major in high school. On top of that, I've been teaching for 25 years, and been responsible for many DMs and section leaders. I can't remember what I had told them. Have I just been lucky for the past 25 years, and the kids I've had as leaders known what to do by accident?

This fall, the DM is going to march and play in the show, help with teaching drill & music, do the salute, but I will conduct. They will do some conducting in the stands so that as our numbers come back up, he can conduct full time the next year.

What would you tell your new DM in this situation? Perhaps that will jog my memory. Thanks.