RDMA General Topics Deportment

Deportment is a nebulous concept that is not easily explained yet is vitally important for the look and professionalism of the band. It is defined as: the manner in which one conducts oneself, behavior. The Drum Major is the exemplar of this invisible standard. Deportment encompasses many interrelated attributes that include, but are not limited to poise, bearing, confidence, diplomacy, courtesy, awareness of personal limitations, conduct, knowledge, and attitude. Deportment is the synthesis of these attributes into intra-personal and inter-personal components. The Drum Major must be aware of these components and how they affect the perceptions of a given audience be it spectators, band members, or persons in authority. For the purposes of this chapter we will address the impact of deportment of the Drum Major; however, this will equally apply to the individual band members.

The Attributes

To assist us in discussing the notion of deportment, it is helpful to have an understanding of what several of the various attributes mean. Once we have a grasp on these concepts we can assimilate them into how we adapt deportment into our position and appearance.

Upon review of the various attributes we can group them into three basic components:

A Drum Major exhibiting exemplary deportment will result in being favorably perceived by others.

For the Drum Major or band to exude confidence, poise, and bearing, s/he must be knowledgeable in all aspects of his/her position and the task at hand. This will include the finer points of dress, drill, and music. In addition to being the band expert on dress and drill, the Drum Major must be knowledgeable about the tunes the band plays. S/he should attend every band rehearsal and be proficient on the drums or pipes. This proficiency will cause the Drum Major to intimately know every tune.

Further, the Drum Major must know the dynamic of the band both in how the band operates and of the personalities involved. The Drum Major must know every person in the band. The Drum Major must know the limitations of the band and to avoid, at best, embarrassment or, at worst, physical harm to the band or band member. Moreover, the Drum Major must be knowledgeable and comfortable with executing the task at hand whether it is conducting drill rehearsal, a parade, a tattoo, or a competition. The scope of knowledge is so large that the prudent Drum Major is always learning the craft.

Personal Discipline

The position of Drum Major is one borne from a military heritage. Accordingly, one must adopt a military bearing while in the position. This trait is developed by practice, repetition, and consistency. The Drum Major must rehearse the mace signals so that they are the same every time. The Drum Major must practice personal drill and the handling of the mace so that every movement is deliberate with purpose, forethought, and reason. That is, all extraneous movement is eliminated. If at Attention or At Ease, the Drum Major is motionless. If the Drum Major needs to look to one side, the head is snapped to one side, and after the information is attained, the head is snapped back to its original position. This is done without effect on the shoulders or the rest of the body. When Marking Time, movement is constrained to the hips and below with no movement of the body above the hips. Again, this takes practice.

The Drum Major must display excellent posture with an air of self-assuredness, the chin slightly elevated and eyes fixed. The Drum Major should rehearse as if s/he were performing and should perform as s/he rehearse. This will result in the performance persona to appear effortless and natural when on parade. Properly engrained, it will be second nature.

Similarly, one must lead the band with a clear, thoughtful, and focused mind. The Drum Major must anticipate and have a ready response for any situation that may present itself. Additionally, the Drum Major must factor in how the band will react in any given situation. Adequate preparations will alleviate basic issues such as the proper uniform, the music sets, any special drill, the parade route, the location of the reviewing stand, and the like. The prepared Drum Major may then focus on the unexpected: a band member faints while on parade or a police unit must unexpectedly clear the parade route to respond to an emergency. Calm, direct, and timely responses to such issues are the trademarks of a skilled Drum Major.

Presence

How do we present to others? The Drum Major necessarily has contact with others relating to the band. This puts you in a position of dealing with a variety of personalities. This includes band members, band leadership, the audience, the organizers of a particular event, the parade marshals, among others. Each interaction is a reflection of the Drum Major and of the band s/he represents. Care must be taken to handle every situation with tact, diplomacy, courtesy, and honesty. These interactions may occur in less than ideal circumstances and with tactical or strategic repercussions. Many circumstances may be very stressful, under strict timelines, or detrimental to the group. One must know which issues are of little consequence and which are not. The calm confident conduct and objective thoughtfulness of the Drum Major should help to improve, stabilize, or even defuse a potentially dire situation.

The Drum Major must also be mindful of dress. The uniform should be exemplary and worn appropriately. Dress is one of the band’s primary visual presentations. The Drum Major must know the history and purpose of the various uniform parts and how they are correctly assembled when worn.

The uniform is commonly a military uniform such as Full Dress or a common national dress such as Day Wear. It must be worn correctly. To do otherwise is to insult many Scottish military units rich in history and sacrifice. The correct wearing of civilian dress will display a sophistication that those in the know will appreciate. Band members should be clearly instructed in proper dress of the uniform and tactfully and gently corrected if necessary. A Drum Major or band that is smartly dressed will be remembered.

The Drum Major must be punctual to all band gatherings and performances. The Drum Major should have the band staged and ready to perform on time. This will require advance planning with the Pipe Major. The Drum Major should be conservative in his or her personal lifestyle so that embarrassment will not be brought on the unit or the person.

Lastly, accommodate the public as best you can. There are many stories of youngsters meeting the Drum Major and later in life recounting that encounter as being influential in their taking up the pipes or drums. Be gracious in social settings. You will be long remembered for your appearance, demeanor, and what you say.

Summary

If the Drum Major and his/her unit has adopted, worked, and polished an exemplary deportment, those that view the Drum Major and band will come away with a favorable impression. The band and the Drum Major will develop a reputation as being a professional and quality enterprise, one that will acquire a strong, supportive, and impressed audience base.

Of “The 3 D’s” (Dress, Drill and Deportment), the most important is Deportment. Deportment is the key building block for the other two components. Without deportment, dress and drill are meaningless.

Deportment is the foundation on which Dress and Drill are taught. It is the key to understanding leadership, professionalism, and personal conduct and how each can be understood, developed, and exhibited. Deportment is also the primary incentive behind the motto: “Lead by Example.” What we say and do on parade will be long remembered once we have departed. If we are to lead by example we must know how to conduct ourselves both on and off the parade ground. As a Drum Major, it is necessary to understand this most maligned and often misunderstood trait of the Drum Major.

Without deportment, we are nothing more than well-adorned showmen playing dress-up. How many times have we witnessed a Drum Major in Full Dress exhibit poor conduct on parade or ham it up in public for laughs? How many times have we seen a bandsman pulled from the ranks, handed a mace and told to “go to it!” Many times the problems are the result of our ignorance or lack of experience. Very often it is the result of poor leadership within civilian bands. Without deportment, we are indeed “peacocks on parade” a characterization that is upsetting but yet, brutally accurate.

Seek out instruction current of former British, Canadian, and U.S. Army Drum Majors, bandsmen, and Senior NCOs whose attention to detail and professionalism are unmatched. The most important things to remember during one-on-one instruction is the constructive and possibly harsh criticism that one may receive. These are designed to make the performer the best as one can be on parade. As a Drum Major we often hear nothing but accolades from the public. Rarely are we given judicious criticism.

Before a novice Drum Major is given the mace and the reins of command of the band, s/he should first be schooled in three areas of Deportment: Definition, Characteristics and Role.

"The establishment and maintenance of self-discipline and conduct pertaining to a marching aggregation."

para 16. Deportment and Military Bearing. OCdts [Officer Cadets] in uniform shall comport themselves in a manner, which projects a positive military bearing. Behaviour such as chewing gum, slouching, placing hands in pockets, smoking on the street and walking hand in hand is forbidden. [2]

WOII J.E.E. Smith, former deportment NCO of the Black Watch (RHR) and a Senior NCO of the Edinburgh Tattoo, presents a soldier’s definition:

"...deportment is keeping your mouth shut, your chest out, and your eyes fixed on a point, whilst on parade."

All six components make up the finite aspect of Deportment by combining a Drum Major's personal conduct (on and off the parade ground), his level of professionalism (technique, knowledge, application of that knowledge), leadership (his ability to work as a leader or a follower within his host band), demeanor (his ability to work well under pressure), maturity (his ability to work well with recalcitrant peers) leading eventually to his exercise of authority (the maturity to make decisions based upon his experience). The Drum Major must possess a portion of these traits if he is to be an effective contributor to his host band.

Another aspect of the definition of Deportment is the phrase: setting the example. The Drum Major is the focal point of the band. The Drum Major is the first person to be seen as the band marches past the reviewing stand. In many instances, the band is judged based upon its Drum –Major’s dress, drill and skill with the mace. A flustered or inept Drum Major, no matter how well dressed and adorned will not set the example to other bandsmen or be looked upon as the focal point. To set the example, he must exhibit maturity and demeanor (“quiet professionalism on parade”) during a parade or in even more trying circumstances such as during an Annual General Meeting.

The late Pipe Sergeant Iain MacPherson, Glasgow Highlanders (HLI): “Both on and off the parade field, the Drum Major must be professional. He must exhibit true sincerity of purpose and sound command in dealing both with the musical/parade portion of the band as well as with the business side of it. Both go hand in hand. If he has control of one, but not the other, he will not be effective.”

Characteristics

WOII Smith: “The Brigade of Guards are well known for their deportment on parade. Probably the finest in the world. Certainly the best in the British Army. The Guards have set the standard with Trooping the Colour and their duties at Buckingham Palace.” The videos Trooping the Colour and the Edinburgh Tattoo help illuminate this point.

Other good examples of deportment are the Canadian Regimental Pipe Bands, exhibited at the Nova Scotia Tattoo, the Hamilton Tattoo and various military band events across Canada.

United States military units provide a unique understanding of American military deportment, especially important and certainly no different from a pipe band. The crack efficiency of the Silent Drill Team of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), the "snap" of 3d US Infantry (The Old Guard) Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Yet another excellent display of American deportment is the breathtaking expertise and precision of the 330-member "Fighting Texas A&M Aggie Band" (and its three signal baton wielding Drum Majors). These are all superb examples of American design and efficiency on the definition of deportment.

Drum Corps International (DCI) exhibit excellent civilian drum corps deportment on parade. DCI has provided civilian pipe bands with well-trained Drum Majors not to mention well-trained drummers. Many DCI members go onto careers in the U.S. Armed Forces where their prior knowledge, keen attention to detail, and professionalism make them excellent additions to military bands.

Role in Civilian Bands

The understanding of deportment for an all-volunteer, civilian pipe, fife, or brass band is critical. It is vital to the establishment and maintenance of bearing during public parades. Deportment is the glue that cements self-discipline, demeanor and personal conduct when young, impressionable players look to the band leadership for example in public.

Drum Major WOII T.E.R. McGrady of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders made mention that when he came to the U.S. in 1965, deportment was exceptional. Thirty years later, he made the remark that deportment among bands and Drum Majors had become "excessively poor" at the Highland Games that he attended around North America. Drinking on parade, lowering instruments, talking, shuffling about - Drum Majors included - led him to believe that the subject of conduct-on parade was not taken seriously. Pipe-Sergeant MacPherson made mention about the lack of deportment when he said, "...these bandsmen and Drum Majors may not care, but the paying public in the stands see it. It's really not the bandsmen’s fault, it’s the leadership's. There must be emphasis on personal conduct; you simply can't talk about it, you must exhibit it whenever you step off."

In the early 1990's, a well-known American competition pipe band flew to Scotland to compete in the World Championship in Glasgow. After the Salute to the Chieftain the Senior Drum Major of the Massed Bands, an ex-Black Watch Warrant Officer, approached the leadership of this band and made mention of their excessive talking on parade, complaining, poor turnout and deportment. The Senior Drum Major provided fair warning: If you return next year, your personal conduct must be above reproach!

Scenes such as this should never take place. The root cause is the lack of instruction and preparation into the facets of deportment. All bands, regardless of genre (and competitive ability) should discuss the role of deportment in their corps both at rehearsal and at the Annual General Meeting.

There should be the establishment of deportment standards for public events for all bandsmen with everyone held accountable. SSgt Tom White, 40 Commando: "Most of the American pipers and drummers I have seen are excellent on parade, but many of the host Drum Majors simply lack the very basics. With a good instructor, one can clean this up and present better on parade. Americans are well known for their turn-out. All that’s needed is a good scrub-up on the fundamentals and they should be good to go."

Deportment should be taught directly from the band leadership, whether it be the Drum Major or Pipe Major. When the band leadership places a central focus on conduct and demeanor bandsmen have a tendency to take deportment issues seriously.

Resources

The best resource is one-on-one instruction. The search for a Drum Major instructor, especially within one's location and competitive periphery, is the best route. An instructor can also conduct Deportment workshops for the band and critique the band during practice. One-on-one allow instructors to personally correct discrepancies and fix the faults.

The second best resource is videotape or DVD. Where no instructors can be found in remote areas, the novice Drum Major may purchase many different types of videos for instruction. Videos can be purchased from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and various pipe band suppliers at reasonable prices. Videos of Trooping the Colour, other pipe band or military exhibitions are also outstanding items to review.

Drum Corps International (DCI) is not only a good resource for their summer concerts, but the ticket prices are economical. DCI concerts are excellent visual tools for beginners. Contact DCI for more information.

Conclusion

If we are capable of learning, any person, regardless of ability, can become a suitable Drum Major for their host band. Drum Major McGrady: “Any person who can learn from another can be a good Drum Major!” There is no such thing as a born leader.

Make Deportment an item on your list when you go to practice. Discuss it with your band; give examples of smart conduct and turn out. If your band leadership allows, show a videotape and then have a discussion about how to adapt more professional, military styles of conduct while on parade.

But most importantly, if you are the Drum Major, set the example. Never be in a position where you are told you are not professional enough! Get squared away, learn deportment traits, and get so enamored with professionalism while on parade that others seek you out for advice. The greatest compliment you could ever receive is to have another Drum Major say, "Look at Smith. Now that is Deportment!"

[1] Courtesy of Hyper Dictionary Online (www.hyperdictionary.com)

[2] Canadian Army (Armee Canadienne) Cadet Officer Regulations. Courtesy of Canadian Royal Military Academy (Cadets). www.rma.com

Overview