Drum Major Wanda

Looking through Wanda's high school annuals, a picture of her in her Drum Major's uniform prompted the question about the origin of the name "drum major." Wikipedia states "The term drum major describes several similar appointments in marching bandsdrum and bugle corps, and pipe bands. In common to all these forms of marching arts is that the drum major is responsible for providing commands (verbally or through hand gestures, or alternatively with a or mace) to the ensemble regarding where to march, what to play, and what time to keep.

The position of drum major originated in the British Army with the Corps of Drums in 1650. Military groups performed mostly duty calls and battle signals during that period, and a fife and drum corps, directed by the drum major, would use short pieces to communicate to field units. With the arrival of military brass band and pipe bands around the 18th century, the position of the drum major was adapted to those ensembles.

My roommate in college had also been a drum major in high school. I was also reminded of the character in "The Cosby Show" who played Cliff Huxtable's father. He was a drum major and they tried to exaggerate their personal expertise. Cliff's father said he through the drum major baton so high, that when they came back for next week's football game, he caught it on the way down.