So I've just transferred to a new school and this particular school has a very competitive band program. They are in the top five of Louisiana and and going to be participating in BOA this upcoming year.
So with that being said, they had tryouts for the line this past week and I made center snare. Now I'm a total noob to this drumline. I just met all of them this week (minus the few who I have known through other things for a while.) They already know of my ability as a player through the band director who has been watching me progress through the years. He has really talked me up and so they all think of me as a REALLY good player.

We are starting with 7 snares and might be working our way down to 5 if they can't handle playing together. My goal is to get them motivated enough to practice so hard that we will be able to march 7 snares and still be clean. They are already motivated enough by the band director, but I want to push them further.

Our battery instructor will to plenty of pushing as well. He is an insanely good percussionist. He was one guy away from making the Cavies snare line this past year. He was called back to both Phantom and Cavies for the auditions but just decided to go for Cavies. Because he didn't make either of those lines he was picked up by the Blue Stars and he marched on their line this past year. He also marched with Crown a few years ago.

But what are some things that I can do or say as the snare captain to motivate the snare line to do the best it can and to work extremely hard to improve ourselves individually and as a whole? I really want the line to succeed and do [b]flark[/b] awesome at whatever competitions that we go to.

Please help me out=]
Thanks a bunch!

Oh one more thing. This snare line is composed of (all upcoming) 1 junior (me) 2 sophomores(I think) and 4 freshies.. There might be some fluctuations between spohs and freshies.. But anyway. Its a pretty young line. Not too much experience.

^^^^
Just for more info.

Well coming into a new school and getting a leadership position right away as well as a reputation for having excellent playing is a pretty amazing start right there, so I commend you on what you are doing and keep it up.

Now when you said they all had motivation, that hit me, in a positive way, usually to find a big snare line theres usually atleast 1 that isn't as dedicated as the rest. Looking at the fact that you have 6 underclassmen on the line, and 4 of those are freshman, you will need to show them how things need to be done. For those underclassmen, freshman mainly, I say if you have time, get them to look at some drumline videos, clean ones only, to show them how snare lines need be clean togethor and act as 1 snare drummer. After video's I suggest, that if you can get the snare line together, get them to work on rudiments (depending on how much time you have) I'd say at the beginning of the season or a little before atleast work on a few such as Diddles with Paradiddles and Paradiddle-diddles. Ask your instructor (if he has seen the music) what rudiments are emphasized in the show and take the basis of those and teach them to the lean, starting off with an early rudimental foundation will help them greatly.

As a teacher and percussion instructor myself, here are the things I would like to see.

Lead by example. Be the first on the field and the last to leave. The first to know your music...correctly and without mistakes. Be a man of few words; don't be overly critical, but also don't let them get away with mistakes. It's better to show them how it's done instead of a long speak about how to do it.

Your instructor, with his excellent experience, will take care of most of the motivation in the group. But being the most experienced member of the snare line, be sure to help out the younger players. Before school, after school, or during a quick break, grab one of the others and play a short piece of the music with them. Make sure they are playing it correctly and help them out if they are not.

These aren't the only things you can do, but it is a good start.