Marching Leatherneck

Drumline
Handbook

2024
Dr. Kevin A. Nichols
Associate Professor of Music, Percussion
Drumline Coordinator
 Table of contents

Welcome and contact information 3

Important places 4
Schedule information 4
Rehearsal information 5
Extra mandatory rehearsals 5
Sectionals 5
Performances 6
Equipment 6-7
Auditions 8

ML Camp Materials 9-26

o Drum technique 9-10
o Cymbal technique 11
o Warm-up concept 12
o Eights 13
o Double beat 14
o Triple beat 15
o Staggered Accents 16
o Triplet rolls 17
o 16th note timing 18
o Cymbal rhythm grid 19
o We’re Marching On (Fight Song) 20-23
o Georgia 24-25
o …Truck 26

First night rehearsal materials (August 19)

o Intonation Motivation 27-28
o Sequencing accents 29
o Sextuplets 30

Concentration 31

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 Welcome to the Western Illinois University
Marching Leatherneck Drumline!

The following information is intended to help you prepare for the season. All members of
the Marching Leathernecks must read all documents received. The informational letters we have
sent and the band manual, which you will receive at the beginning of camp, are essential to you
as they contain important information not covered in this handbook. In this handbook, you will
find information regarding initial schedule, equipment, warm-ups, and initial literature.

LEATHERNECK DRUMLINE LEADERSHIP

The Marching Leathernecks are proud to have these members as our undergraduate drumline
staff:

Darren Woods, snare drums/drumline captain

Sav Miller, tenors
AJ Seynaeve, bass drums
Kane Struwe, cymbals

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

KN’s Office: 309-298-1235/ KA-Nichols1@wiu.edu
Bands’ Office: 309-298-1505

DRUMLINE LEADERSHIP
Darren Woods: d-woods2@wiu.edu
Sav Miller: sm-miller6@wiu.edu
AJ Seynaeve: a-seynaeve@wiu.edu
Kane Struwe: kp-struwe@wiu.edu

OPS: 298-1949

Marching Leatherneck Webpage: httphttp://www.wiu.edu/cofac/bands/ensembles/index.php

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IMPORTANT PLACES
KN’s office: Sallee 102
Bands’ Office: Sallee 202A
School of Music Office: Browne 122
Equipment Storage: Sallee 122
Indoor Rehearsal space: Browne 129
Outdoor Rehearsal space: Corbin/Olsen Field
Football Games: Hanson Field

SCHEDULES

ML Camp

Camp starts for everyone on Sunday, August 11.

DRUMLINE WILL MEET
at 7 – 9:30 pm
BROWNE HALL (room 129)

Please refer to the ML Handbook for the remainder of the camp schedule.

If you have questions regarding auditions, feel free to contact Dr. Nichols (309/298-
1235) or the Bands’ Office (309/298-1505). For camp, you will specifically need to have:
1. Sticks or mallet you have already
2. Money for sticks or mallets to match the line
3. Three ring binder containing the Drumline handbook

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REHEARSALS
It is crucial that all rehearsals start on time. The Marching Leathernecks rehearse
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:15 until 6:15 p.m. on the Corbin-Olson field. These
are “ensemble” rehearsals. Make the necessary plans to be on the field and ready to play

no later than 4:10 p.m. As a member of this organization, you are expected to have your

music and warm-ups prepared prior to rehearsal. You will also need to show up with
necessary materials (binder, sticks/mallets, instrument, etc.) Failure to do so can result in
lowered letter grade or expulsion from Drumline.

EXTRA MANDATORY REHEARSALS

Please include the following rehearsal times in your schedule. Due to the spectrum of
responsibilities and activities of the season, it will be necessary for the drumline to supplement
the daily marching band rehearsals.
Monday, August 19 8-10 pm
Sunday, August 24 noon - 2 show drum maintenance
Monday, August 26 8-10 pm
Monday, September 9 8-10 pm
Monday, September 16 8-10 pm
Monday, September 23 8-10 pm
Monday, September 30 8-10 pm

SECTIONALS
Sectionals outside of our scheduled rehearsals are a vital part of the Leatherneck
Drumline success. You are strongly encouraged to participate and make necessary plans
for these sessions to be a positive and successful supplement. Your section leader will
organize all sectionals.

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PERFORMANCES
Please be sure to make the necessary plans to be early for all events. The Drumline
call will be one hour prior to the rest of the ensemble. We will need the time to access the
instruments and do any last minute maintenance.

Periodically you need to check the Marching Band calendar. Bring all possible conflicts to
Dr. Nichols’ attention as soon as possible. See Marching Band Handbook regarding
absences and tardiness.

EQUIPMENT
All marching percussion instruments are stored in Room 122, Sallee Hall. Unless
other arrangements are made, be sure to have all of your equipment on the practice field
before the start of rehearsal. It is the responsibility of each player to store his/her
instrument in the proper place after every rehearsal and performance. Covers will be
used for all rehearsals. Additionally, the covers should be taken off for all performances
and placed back on the drums immediately after the performances (ready for the next
rehearsal. Cases will be used for all off-campus performances. You are responsible to pack
your own drum and cover in the case. Cases are stored in the same area as the instruments.

It is the responsibility of each member of the drumline to take care of his or her
own instrument and to keep the storage area clean and organized. If there is a problem
with an instrument, please notify your section leader.

The bass drums will be responsible to purchase one pair of mallets for
performances. Snare and tenor players are responsible to purchase their own
implements as well. You should have two to three pairs available at all times. New
players will all need to purchase a stick bag as well. Tenors may need to purchase other
types of implements depending on music. We are fortunate to continue our endorsement

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with Vic Firth. Sticks and mallets are available through Dr. Nichols. Cymbal players will
be rersponsible to purchase atleast one pair of fingerless workout gloves.

It is important that everyone bring to camp a 3-ring binder with plastic sleeves for
music. Music, additional warm-ups, and valuable information will be given to you
throughout the season. This will aid in keeping everything organized and continue the
development of our drumline.

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 AUDITIONS

Placement audition will happen on Sunday, August 11, at 7 pm

in Browne 129.. To expedite the process, all first season members are
requested to submit a video to Dr Nichols by Monday, August 5 (no
later than 11:30 pm), with the following materials:

1. Eights, Double Beats, Triplet Rolls, and 16th Note Timing (bass
drum auditions should focus on bass drum 2)
2. …Truck
3. Cymbals should demonstrate the Cymbal Rhythm Grid on
page 18.
4. Tenor and bass drum performers can use a standard snare
drum practice pad.

• At this time, the music does not need to be memorized

• If you wish, you may submit videos on more that one instrument
• Feel free to contact KN or for assistance. Depending on instrument, audition may be
individual or as a group. Audition panel will consist of KN and section leader. Other faculty,
staff or clinicians may also be involved in the audition process.

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General Considerations

Technique (MUY IMPORTANTE . . . . Stay relaxed and breathe!)

Hand position
1. Make sure that you are holding the mallet or stick at the proper balance point
2. Keep all fingers intact and keep a firm grip
3. Snares (RH) and tenors should keep your palm facing the ground
4. Snares (RH) and tenors - make sure that movement is initiated from the wrist
5. Snares (LH) and bass drums – rotate the forearm
6. Know your playing areas (center, off center, edge) and when to use them
7. Know the four basic strokes (full, down, up, dead) and when to use them
8. Be consistent in where your stick tips or mallet heads strike the instrument’s surface
9. Start slowly, use a metronome, and gradually increase the tempo

Posture
1. Eyes straight forward and chin up
2. Shoulders should be relaxed, but not slouching forward
3. Arms at a comfortable and efficient playing angle
4. Spine straight
5. Legs straight, but do not lock your knees

Feet
1. Heels together when at attention
2. Mark time for all exercises and music

Musicianship Tips
1) General tips
ü Learn your music before rehearsal
ü Use your ears
ü What is YOUR sound within the ensemble
ü Always think of what is next
ü Learn in sections

2) Playing area on the surface of drums

ü Center – articulate (general playing area for snares and basses)
ü Off Center – resonant (general playing area for tenors)
ü Edge – thin and many overtones (only utilized if instructed to do so)

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3) Tempo and Rhythm
ü Use metronome consistently
ü Subdivide
ü Count aloud before and during your passages

4) Dynamics (these are not inclusive; dynamics need to be relative to literature

and ensemble)

ü Dictated by implement height

Snare drum and tenor drum parameters

ZONE 1. pp = 1” grace notes

ZONE 2. p – 3” no forearm
ZONE 3. mf – 6” no forearm
ZONE 4. f – 9” (General warm-up dynamic) no forearm
ZONE 5. ff – 12” some forearm
ZONE 6. fff – 15” +

Bass drum parameters – think of a clock face

ZONE 1. p – RH at 1 o’clock/LH at 11 o’clock
ZONE 2. mf – RH at 2 o’clock/LH at 10 o’clock
ZONE 3. f – RH at 3 o’clock/LH at 9 o’clock (General warm-up
dynamic)
ZONE 4. ff – RH at 4 o’clock/LH at 8 o’clock

Cymbal parameters (measurement indicates space between cymbals)

ZONE 1. p – 3”
ZONE 2. mf – 9”
ZONE 3. f – 12”
ZONE 4. ff – 18” +

ü Again, always be conscious of what the music calls for.

ü Layers of sound or addition of instruments dictates some dynamics.

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 Cymbal technique

The following techniques will be utilized initially:

1) Orchestral crash – cymbals are placed in front of body, held
in a somewhat horizontal position (slightly angled to floor)
2) Overhead crash – bells of cymbals in line with eyes
3) Horizontal hinge choke – a la high hats
4) Overhead Taps – similar position to overhead crash; cymbal
edge in line with eyes; “tapping right cymbals against the
outer edge of the left cymbal” produce the desired sound
5) Frontal Taps – both cymbals touching players sides of mid-
section; tapping apex is at the naval-level
6) Slide choke – cymbals

***During camp, we also will be discussing posture, cymbal placement

(port, prep, crash, etc.) for articulating a sound, cymbal placement for
holding for snare drums, and various visual elements (icing on the
cake!).

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WARM-UPS
Although warm-ups are an essential part of every rehearsal, we may be short on
time due to the stats of the shows. If available, come early to rehearsal to start getting your
mind, hands, and instrument prepared. It is important to be on time for each rehearsal so
that we have full attendance at warm-up if time permits. The warm-ups will evolve
throughout the season (many of the warm-ups are brought to the line through members),
but we will start simple and strive for an ensemble that is well balanced, musically
excelling, technically progressing, and can perform with intensity. Remember that the
intent of each warm-up is always:

To prepare you physically to play. Those that have marched before know this
includes arm, wrist, and finger muscles as well as developing the shoulder,
back, and leg muscles.

To prepare you mentally to play. Many of the warm-ups may seem very simple (as
simple as doing nothing) but the intent may be for you to relax your mind
enough to think very clearly about something extremely easy. This makes
technically difficult exercises much easier to accomplish.

To prepare you musically to play. The percussionist’s ultimate goal is to make music.
In order for this to happen on the field, all members of the percussion section
have to learn to make music together. Again, by starting simple in a warm-
up, we become more musically conscientious. Once you have control of the
specific part you play, listen to the entire percussion section for the music.

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ML Camp Materials
METRONOME MARKING = 60 – 152
Eights

Performance notes:
o Everyone should be striving for relaxed, controlled full-strokes throughout exercise. One
fluid motion per note
o SNARE DRUMS – measure 4 and 8 should be both hands together
o Bass drums should play unison for the odd reps

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 o Cymbals should execute use an orchestral crash for odd reps and overhead crashes for
even reps

METRONOME MARKING = 60 – 140

Performance notes:
o Everyone should be striving for relaxed, controlled full-strokes throughout exercise. One
fluid motion per note
o Bass drums should play unison for the odd reps
o Cymbals should execute use an orchestral crash for odd reps and overhead crashes for
even reps

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METRONOME MARKING = 60 – 126

Performance notes:
o Everyone should be striving for relaxed, controlled full-strokes throughout exercise. One
fluid motion per note. At slower tempos, control everyone note with hand (not rebound)
o Bass drums should play unison for the odd reps
o Cymbals should execute a Horizontal Hinge Choke (a la high hat) for odd reps and
orchestral crashes for even reps

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METRONOME MARKING = 80 – 152

Performance notes:
o Be aware of stroke type (Up, Down, Full [tap]) and their application.
o Be sure to keep unaccented notes low to the playing surface. Strive for
consistency with unaccented notes.
o Cymbals should execute a Horizontal Hinge Choke (a la high hat) for odd reps and
frontal taps for even reps

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METRONOME MARKING = 80 – 152

Triplet Rolls

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METRONOME MARKING = 90 – 176

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METRONOME MARKING = 150

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METRONOME MARKING = 150

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METRONOME MARKING = 150

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METRONOME MARKING = 150

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24
25
…Truck

26
Firtst night rehearsal materials (August 19)

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METRONOME MARKING = 80 – 120

Performance notes:
o Right hand lead should be applied to this exercise.
o Be aware of stroke type (Up, Down, Full [tap]) and their application.
o Be sure to keep unaccented notes low to the playing surface. Strive for
consistency with unaccented notes.
o Cymbals should execute use an orchestral crash for odd reps and overhead crashes for
even reps

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METRONOME MARKING = 80 – 120

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The WIU Marching Leathernecks are proud to be supported by the following
companies:

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