How would one, go about finding a teaching gig?

1. Call up band directors to see if they need help.
2. Get a resume together outlining any experience.
3. Send out flyers to schools, music stores, etc.
4. Be willing to get paid little, none, or late (sometimes)
5. Use every opportunity to build your resume.

You have to be believe in yourself. Some band directors are turds to work with, not that drum instructors are not so get ready for that sometimes. You must like working with young people also & watching them progress. Be very patient & loyal to your director's vision. Pray for doors to open also.

Well i'm just trying to get any experience I can by teching. I dont really care about the money at the moment but I just want to build on experience

Your best bet starting out is to try to get into a program that already has an instructor and teach as a tech. You probably won't get paid, but you'll be able to gain experience on the other side of the drums. If you're lucky enough to find a program without any staff, though, a lot of instructors may take you based on your performance experience.

As for how to actually accomplish this, just get a list of the high schools in your area and start sending out emails asking if the band needs any help. Make sure to send a resume or detail where you've marched and what kind of experience you have teaching others. If the program already has a drum staff, ask the director to forward your message on to the caption head. There are very few programs that will turn down volunteer help.

Above all, try not to set your sights too high. Realize that if you're just starting out, any high school program that would want you probably can't afford to pay you, and if they could, they could get someone with more experience.

Don't forget to get your 60 credits and substitute certification ASAP.

WOOOOO! So today I just found out that I got my first job as a Tech! though I wont be paid, because of the bands financial status, I am extremely happy because I finally got something to work with! and I can use them for reference!

Congradulations...

It has taken me a few years to go from a bottom tier band that had little to no hope of comming close to winning in the lowest division to this year being the co caption head for a marching band that is in the same division as Dartmouth and is very competitive. In fact the school I am with this year has a monster hornline(winds ect..) and has brought in me and another cat to build them a monster percussion program. So it takes time but if you are focused on making contacts and advancing to better programs or to a band that will provide YOU an opportunitty to BUILD a program and give you support things will work out for you.

My last bit of advice to enjoy the process and enjoy the kids. Become invested in them as people not just performers and students.

I can't say this from experience of course because I'm in high school but if you want to teach at a legit drumline, you've gotta march DCI or WGI. "Build your resume" so to speak. College drumlines won't cut it unless they compete.

Having marched DCI or WGI IS a good experience and can look good on a resume, for some schools. Having marched a corps should not even be close to a priority on a resume due to the fact that many factors could have contributed to that person not marching corps: money/time, etc. If you want to build your resume, you will get recommendations, from band directors and old percussion instructors. Along with that, you have to present that you are knowledgable about what you will teach. College Drumline is indeed something good to have on a resume (especially with a bigger university) because many people try out and if you make it, it shows you know what your doing, even if you dont make it, it doesn't mean you dont know what your doing. I believe that someone who couldn't make a college line and didn't march a corps could do just as well as someone who could, based on how they teach the students under them.

You do NOT have to march corps or WGI to get a gig at a "legit" drumline. What exactly defines a "legit" drumline anyway?

I marched one year of corps back in 1990 in the front ensemble and the BD I'm currently working for didn't find out about that until 3 years ago (I've been there 6 years). So what got me the job then? Well, I had worked with other programs in the past, I had recommendations from past BD's and other instructors. Oh, and the fact that I know my stuff and can talk about my teaching philosophies, techniques, etc.

It's not about having marched corps, it's about how you can relate to the students as a teacher.

Not necessarily true.

You're absolutely right that you need to "build a resume", but it doesn't need to include DCI or WGI. I actually know of a few instructors at successful programs who never marched drum corps or WGI.

To get a gig, you simply need to convince the director that you know what you're doing and/or you can get the job done. DCI or WGI experience definitely speak to your ability, as would DCA experience or playing in a good college line. Experience as a tech at a successful program also counts as a positive. Another way to prove yourself is to take a gig at a new or lesser program and build it into something. But of course, if you do that, you may stop searching for a gig with a "legit drumline" when you realize you built one yourself.

DCI/WGI/DCA experience is not required, and any individual who makes it a requirement to get or hold a position is stupid. It's about being able to relate to the students and knowledge of the subject.

I've never marched DCI or WGI or DCA. I march in the Bridgemen Alumni Corps in 07 and in 08. I have a drumline that went undefeated in last year's regular season, a group that consistently places top 5 or better in percussion at championships, constant statements from judges about great arranging and solid programming. I've just been asked to consult with a group on an idea of incorporating rope drums into their show next year.

So... yeah, you can do good stuff without the DCI/WGI/DCA experience.

The best part of my resume isn't printed.

Every teaching job I've ever had was because someone recommended me as the result of a successful working relationship as either a colleague or competitor.

Yes, I actually had a competitor suggest me as their replacement upon their resignation from a program. That was a cool feeling.

And I will agree that DCI/WGI/DCA is not necessary, but I will tell you that the first thing I ask when I meet a colleague or interview a tech is where they've marched- not as a status symbol, just to get a feel for what their used to and what I can expect.

A good example of someone who NEVER marched drum corps or indoor but has taught some amazing groups and players is Martin Vasquez aka MV. MV is the guy who taught cats like Nick Angelis and Colin McNutt. I also know MV was a consultant for many Thom Hannum programs. The thing is marching in a corps or indoor is great for experience and it MIGHT help you get your foot in the door to say you marched with X corps. At the end of the day its all about can you relate the information to the kids and have them understand and execute.

Hmm, I think this is interesting and would love to respond but I have two questions:

1. What is a "legit" drumline? Is this a BOA/USSBA chamionships level competition? Is it WGI Championships level? Is it PASIC HS level?

2. If not DCI or WGI playing experience, then where do you gain the experience of playing and rehearsing at a high level? A college drumline? Going to DCI rehearsals? Lessons?

I am asking for all who have responded to this thread, I am just curious as to what the general perception is so far.

I try not to post too much honestly, but this one peaked my interest.

Thank you for indulging me.

NL

1. In my book, those are exactly what legit drumlines are.
2. I'm wondering this too.

1. you dont have to be competing at those levels to be a "legit" drumline. because look at Mission Viejos line, they dont compete in BOA but they spank people in wgi, and probably pasic. and snugglebunny of lines dont compete in any of the circuits above even if they are at that level. just because a line is in a certain circuit doesn't make them a legit line, because what really sets the standard of a legit line? there is no law or anything stating that you or your line need to be at a certain level before they are "legit" I personally believe that as long as you have people on the line, that is legit. even though im not saying that being at those levels wouldn't be nice but just because your not competing at a national level doesnt mean your line is not "legit".

2. not to be rude or anything but a lot of these DCI and WGI experienced guys come out and try to teach lines and fail miserably, theres a fine line between high school and DCI or WGI. I think its more personal connection and how well you teach the kids rather than your own personal experience, though im sure that it will come into play and help.

NeU2TeNorZ,

I am puzzled by your response to #1, you used Mission as an example for not doing BOA but that they spank people in WGI. Perhaps you thought I meant you had to do ALL of those to be "legit". "Legit" really can mean whatever works for your group/band/school/community. I will say that competing in those national level circuit/competitions lends a legitimacy to the performance levels, a validation and a diversity of competition that you cannot at your local marching band or indoor circuit show.

In regards to your response to #2, there are bad teachers no matter where they have or haven't marched. Again I ask:

If not DCI or WGI playing experience, then where do you gain the experience of playing and rehearsing at a high level? A college drumline? Going to DCI rehearsals? Lessons?

Thank you for your response, this is great!

NL

I'll take this one on Neil

1) A legit drumline is a drumline that straps up their drums and plays. They can be self taught, have an instructor, compete in just their local circuits, or just compete at random shows, compete BOA/USSBA, it doesn't matter. Or, they can just perform at halftime shows. The point is, if they are playing, they are playing and that's the important thing. How many "pro" guitarists call themselves legit and they can't play the three chords from "Louie, Louie?"

2) In my opinion, you can learn just as much about drumming and musicianship in college as you can in WGI or DCI. In fact, I think you can learn more at the college level. For WGI and DCI you spend the entire season learning one show. At many universities, you learn a new show for each game. If you're a music major, you're going to be exposed to melodic percussion as well. I personally believe that all music ties together in some form. For example, I have an incoming freshman that wasn't quite ready for a drum for the fall. But, I want to get experience obviously. So, he can already read music so he's playing a keyboard part in the pit. He's got a nice xylo part that will keep him plenty busy and I'm showing him how his xylo playing can easily transer over to a drum. It all connects.

Great post Neil.

To me you learn how to teach and rehearse from every teacher in almost any subject you have had. You can learn how to teach flams and scales from a great teacher you had who taught physics and only ever played the radio in their entire life. I know i have learned a lot about how I want to teach from teachers who i felt were NOT good teachers. I learned how not to make a connection with students and how to easily turn someone off to the information you have give. The aforementioned competitive circuits are great for learning how to play, learning dedication, and bla bla bla. But it does not make you a good teacher. You can know the mechanics of playing and have amazing chops on a marching, a set, and a keyboard but still be a bad teacher. Teaching is a lot more than just chops and marching experience.

Competeing certainly adds validation from "our" community but you don't have to compete to be "legit". Honestly i think anyone going around using that terminology is not yet ready to be a teacher and have a very closed mind about music and what it is we do. For me at the end of the day its not about flam drags and C Maj.7 #11, its about teaching life skills. The fact is most of the students we see will never have call to use their music knowldge and skill at age 30+. But they will remember we taught them accountability, committment to something larger than self, what it means to truly be a team player and most of all how a well rounded adult(you the instructor) conducts themselves. I try to make an impact on my kids. I flat out tell them that what we do at the end of the day is just a hobby and it means nothing if you can't take care of yourself and your family.

I agree with you Bill...to an extent. I think you can learn just as much in a college drumline as you can in DCI or WGI, however, I really think it depends on the college line. I know when I was in college we were putting 12 snares, 7 tenors, and 9 bass drums on the field while trying to learn a new show each week. We simply didn't care enough about trying to clean things. We just needed to learn music and drill and how to play over 300 horns. Plus, we had 4-5 corps represented in the line. If a guy just finished a summer with Cadets then we weren't going to take the time to match his technique with guy who just finished up with Devs.

Personally, I learned more in DCI. I was fortunate to be around some good techs and soaked up everything I could. In college we just didn't take the time to fix a minute detail like we did in corps. During the summer I was able to observe different approaches on how to fix the little things that made big differences.

That being said, I've taught along some great people over the years that never marched DCI, WGI, or college. I've also taught along some guys who marched numerous years but can't teach.