Hi this is my first post but still looks like you've got a good community here so figured I'd ask my questions here too.

first of all I play trumpet in my high school band and am getting ready to audition for Drum Major my senior year I'm going up against another upcoming senior last years field conductor (upcoming junior) and a flute player who will be a junior so right now my biggest concern is getting drum major over last years field conductor and I need all the help I can get

The Rubric is:
I. Salute (5 points)
1. Creativity/originality
2. Confidence
3. Clarity
II. Commands (5 Points)
1. precision
2. Vocal Quality
3. Tempo
III. Prepared Piece (30 Points)
1. Pattern Clarity, Style
2. Left Hand Musicality
3. Dynamic Definition
4. Cues
5. Expression (gestures, facial, etc.)
IV. Sight Reading (25 Points)
1. Score Reading
2. Pattern Clarity, Style
3. Dynamic Defintiton
4. Cues
5. Expression (gestures, facial, etc.)
V. Interview
1. Character
2. Leadership Qualities
3. Response Time
4. Communication Skills

my prepared piece Is going to be The Hand that feeds by Nine Inch Nails, I have a marching band version of it if you would like me to upload it but I need help in learning how to conduct it and do it right I also need help with the sight reading part. Thanks a lot any ips would be great!

I'm auditioning too, and I got some help from my current drum majors.
First, hold your arms in from of you, parallel to the ground. Every downbeat, our should be in this position. Your fingers and thumb should be in a C shape. Remember to hold your fingers(not the thumb) together, you might want to tape them together. Also, use your wrist to make sure that the angle of your hands donsent change, you always want them to fact the marchers at the same angle

There are 2 ways to conduct 2/4 time: the J and the I

J: Move your left hand in a J shape, and the right hand in a backwords J shape. The downbeats are at the lowest point in the J, and the up beats are in the 2 highest points.

I
move your hands up and down, the difference between beat one and two is the height your arms go to. Your arms should reach higher for beat one than two.

3/4:
Move your hands in a cursive L shape. Usually, since the music is flowery, use softer, smoother movements.



4/4:
1st two beats are just like 2/4, second two are in and out. So, :
------1------
--1---1---1--
---1--1--1---
----1-1-1----
-----111-----

Stand with your legs shoulder width, and upperbody relaxed.

to creshendo, or decreshendo, move your left hand palm up towords the sky, or palm down to the ground, while your right hand conducts. Make sure it isen't jerky. Palm should always be flat.

to cue, 1 beat before, move your left hand to your head as if you are making a telephone call. on the beat, gesture at the player(s), palm open.
My teacher said it's like a telephone call:
Hello? It's for you.

It helps to subdivide the time, so you can get the motions more accurate. It also helps if you are tall, so people can see you.

Generally, flute and clarinet players have a advantage, as louder instruments are more important on the marching field than softer instruments. In our band, all our drum majors have been flute or clarinet players.
It also helps if you are not the best player. Directors don't like losing their best player to be drum major.