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Conducting is one of the primary focuses at the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. Every student is video taped individually 3 times during the course of an Academy. Every student sees the video footage each day, receives a personal evaluation of their conducting and individual attention to assist with working towards improvement. It does not matter if there are 100 students at an Academy location or 600 (yes, 600!)--every single student receives the same personal attention from George Parks and the DMA Staff.

The philosophy behind conducting at the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy is based in part upon that of Dr. John Paynter, former Director of Bands at Northwestern University. Emphasis is placed upon a clear pattern, maintaining a steady and even tempo, proper display of musicianship and when appropriate, the inclusion of showmanship.

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Teaching skills are evaluated through a number of processes from video taped feedback to simulated mini-competitions held daily during the course of an Academy. Improvement of individual marching skills is enhanced through the development of every students' observation skills. Students learn how to "clean" through the application of the DMA Teaching Procedure. Band Directors know how important it is to have "additional sets of eyes" to assist with achieving success for their programs. The DMA Teaching Procedure teaches students how to be those "sets of eyes."

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Leadership and Communication are a continuous thread woven through the entire DMA Curriculum. Students attend lecture settings where topics covered include, but are not limited to: attitude, large group dynamics, developing trust and earning respect. Throughout each day students are split into smaller settings where they learn to how to hone their communication skills through a variety of activities.

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TEXTBOOK: THE DYNAMIC DRUM MAJOR
by George N. Parks

The Dynamic Drum Major is filled with pictures, diagrams, and detailed information which is based on over fifteen years of performing and teaching experience. It provides the drum major student with many unique suggestions and pointers on the finer aspects of drum majoring.

Drum Major Academy students will be using The Dynamic Drum Major throughout the course of the Academy for reference and regular reading assignments.

This book, published by C.L. Barnhouse Company, includes chapters on Command and Leadership Development, Parade Technique, Showmanship, The Art of Field Conducting, Specific Field Conducting Suggestions, Advanced Conducting Concepts, The Drum Major Salute, The Mace, Adjudicating the Drum Major, Selection and Training of the Drum Major, The Drum Major's Responsibilities, and Developing the Drum Major Philosophy.

To order a copy, call 866-653-7389. Cost is $23.95 ($19.95 plus $5.00 s/h.)

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George N. Parks is currently in his 30th year at the University of Massachusetts where he is director of the Minuteman Marching Band and Professor of Music. He has been recipient of the University's Distinguished Teacher Award and the Chancellor's Medal for Distinguished Service. He has been named an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Massachusetts and been inducted into the Massachusetts Instrumental Conductor's Association Hall of Fame.

Professor Parks has conducted numerous district and regional bands in Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as conducting the University Concert Band at UMass.

Over the years his involvement with Bowl Games of America has placed him at the helm of half-time productions for the Sugar, Orange, Carquest and Hall of Fame Bowl Games. In 2005 Professor Parks was Director of the Bands of America National Honor Band during their inaugural performance in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Professor Parks has been featured in various instructional videos teaching drum majoring, leadership skills, and mace techniques, and has authored The Dynamic Drum Major, a text on the art of drum majoring. Mr. Parks was drum major of the West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band, an 8 time recipient of the DCA World Championship Drum Major Award as drum major of the Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps and has been inducted into the Drum Corps Associates Hall of Fame.

Professor Parks is the nation's foremost authority on the art of drum majoring, and brings over 30 years of teaching and performing experience to the Drum Major Academy, instructing over 3000 drum major and band leadership students each year.

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This curriculum combines the leadership sessions given by Mr. Parks each day, and also covers:

1) How to Prepare for Music Sectionals
2) Basic Conducting for Successful Music Sectionals
3) Developing Better Intonation and Tone Quality
4) Reading and Understanding Drill Charts
5) The DMA Teaching Procedure

One key area of this track is integrated with the Drum Major curriculum. It focuses upon the student becoming a second set of "eyes" for the band director. Using the same DMA Teaching Procedure as the Drum Majors, those enrolled in the Brass / Woodwind Track learn to develop three very specific skills: observance, analysis of the situation and how to offer proper corrections. These skills are applied to the physical aspect of marching and instrument carriage, as well as musicianship (attacks, releases, dynamics, and articulation).

Directors who have their drum majors as well as section leaders attend DMA have found that having all their student leaders on the "same page" assists in making their rehearsals more efficient and effective.

In addition, students learn two musical selections and perform both at the final presentation. These selections serve as the vehicle through which the DMA Teaching Procedure is applied. Ultimately, one selection is performed with complete drill in order for the students to demonstrate all that they have learned during their week at the Academy. In past years the student enrollment has actually assisted with the writing of the drill.

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Heidi I. Sarver is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Delaware where she is also the Director of the 300+ member Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band. In addition, she is the co-conductor of the Symphonic Band and instructor of the Marching Band Techniques course. She is also the supervisor for student teachers pursuing an undergraduate degree in music education.

Ms. Sarver is active throughout the northeast as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor. She has been a clinician with DMA since 1985. She is also an adjudicator and production assistant for the Orange and Sugar Bowls through Heritage Festivals and Bowl Games of America. Ms. Sarver was an Associate Band Director for the Bands of America Honor Band's inaugural performance in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade. She will return to this role in 2009 for the organization’s second appearance.

Ms. Sarver attended the University of Massachusetts/Amherst where she received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance.

In the past, Ms. Sarver has performed with the Reading Buccaneers Senior Drum and Bugle Corps as a soprano soloist, music instructor and drum major. Prior to her appointment at the University of Delaware, Ms. Sarver was a high school band director in New York, and the Assistant Director of Bands at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a member of DMEA, MENC, CBDNA and is currently serving as the Delaware State Chair for the National Band Association.

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Beginner Flag — This track of the Colorguard curriculum is structured for the incoming freshman and any student with limited or no experience on any piece of equipment. The focus is placed upon learning the basic fundamentals of spinning and movement.

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Advanced Flag — This track is structured for students who are or will be guard captains. The focus is placed on some review of the basics and venturing into the development of more advanced skills.Advanced skills will include, but not be limited to learning a variety of tosses and working on different planes.

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Beginner Rifle/Sabre — This track is structured for veterans of the colorguard, but new to weapons, either rifle or sabre. Students who have used one of the weapon types before will find this track most beneficial by introducing them to the other piece of equipment. The focus is placed upon learning the basic fundamentals.

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Advanced Rifle/Sabre — This track is structured for the all–around veteran of the colorguard. The focus is placed on some review or the basics and venturing into more advanced skills. Advanced skills will include, but not be limited to learning a variety of tosses and working on different planes.

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In addition to each specific track curriculum, all students participate in dance/body classes, as well as the full Academy leadership sessions with Mr. Parks.

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Sarah McAdams began her spinning career while attending Bowling Green State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. During her time in Ohio, Sarah was a member of the DCI Finalist Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps out of Toledo, OH. Sarah has been teaching color guard for nearly 10 years now. After leaving Ohio, Sarah returned home to the state of Delaware where she began her teaching career, serving as an Assistant High School Band director, Middle School Band Director, Visual Coordinator and Color Guard director in central Delaware for several years.

After receiving her Master of Music in Performance from the University of Delaware, Sarah joined the colorguard staff of the University of Delaware Marching Band. In 2006 she assumed the position of Colorguard Director for the UDMB. In 2007, with a restructuring of the UDMB's Indoor Colorguard (Delazure), Sarah, along with Phil Cavalcanto, Trish O'Shea and Billy Parent, formed a new creative team. 2008 saw the return of UD to the national stage when Delazure performed at WGI Championships. Sarah currently serves as the middle school band director in the Daniel Boone School District where she also assists with the high school colorguard.