How to Become a School Marching Band Director

Have you dreamed of leading a group of talented musicians on the field, creating unforgettable performances that inspire both the band and its audience?

Becoming a school marching band director is a fun and creative career choice, but it can be challenging to get there. If you have a passion for music and natural leadership skills, you can very well be a marching band director.

From high school ensembles to college-level programs, the role of a band director is pivotal in shaping the musical and personal development of students. Yet, many aspiring band directors often wonder where to start and what steps they need to take to achieve their goals in this competitive field.

There are different paths to becoming one, and it helps to know a few requirements. Educational and training requirements vary from band to band. Still, there's a broad general path and essential steps we can help explore so you know what is expected of you and shape your career toward being a successful marching band director.

The True Role of a Marching Band Director

A marching band director is essentially a type of school music band leader. It’s the person guiding the band by providing instruction and cues through rehearsals and performances.

A music or concert band director who works in schools leads different groups (marching bands, jazz bands, etc.), introducing kids to music while teaching them how to perform. However, a school band director can also work in theater or film.

A school marching band director has several important responsibilities, including:

• Choosing the band program or music the band will perform
• Teaching new music and music theory.
• Time management, which means organizing rehearsals so that every band member can attend
• Monitoring the band during the rehearsal to ensure maximum efficiency
• Helping each member improve areas that need improving
• Getting new members that play specific instruments
• Helping the members learn when to play
• Guide the band students during the performance, providing both advice and support
• Planning the budget for performances, trips, etc.

Experience and Education Required

Not everyone can be a marching band director, as the position requires a skilled and educated person to fill it. Here’s what’s expected of the director in terms of education and experience.

Part of a Marching Band in High School or College

It’s essential, or at least a big help, that you were a part of a marching band as a high school or college student. This might seem like an unimportant part, but having previous experience playing in a band ensemble gives you a solid insight into how things work. Plus, if you were already a band geek, you probably have a very good sense of how your students and even the band families feel during the rehearsals and performances. It doesn't matter if you were a drum major, played in a jazz band, or were a color guard, but as long as you're familiar with the day-to-day workings of a school band, that will give you a big advantage over others.

Bachelor's Degree in Music or Music Education

A bachelor’s degree in music is essential, but other degrees might work as well. Most band directors earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, but you can also get a music degree with a major that focuses on the instrument you play. As long as there's a way to certify your musical skills, most public schools will consider you at least as a band teacher.

A degree in music education is also a good choice, particularly if you want to work in a school.

Advanced Degrees in Music

While a bachelor’s degree in music can be essential, a master’s degree is recommended. Many schools, especially colleges and universities, prefer to have a band director or a band teacher with a graduate degree, believing that they can offer students more learning opportunities.

Plus, you can gain additional playing experience during a graduate program.

Any Type of Teaching Experience

You should be able to play an instrument and also guide children through the whole experience of playing in a marching band. However, one thing to point out is that a marching band director is, above all, a teacher. You’ll work with children, teaching them how to play certain music, how to perform, and how to behave as members of a marching band, turning them into accomplished band students. This is why most schools will want a marching band director with teaching experience.

School Marching Band Director Skills

A school marching band director has to have certain skills, which is why not everyone can fill this role.

Schools look far and hard for someone to do this job well because there’s a set of skills you need to have.

Musical Proficiency

The role requires musical proficiency for very obvious reasons. Although you might not teach music history to children, it helps to have a knowledge of these things, along with being proficient with one or several instruments. Your job requires you to select music pieces, pick new band members, build a band program, look for new instruments, etc. All of this is much easier to do when you have musical proficiency and know your craft.

Leadership

A school marching band director is more than just a band instructor or simple music teacher. Leadership is essential because you will be leading a bunch of kids at school, on field trips, in football games, in competitions, in practice, and more. The students and members have to listen to your instructions and guidance, so it helps to have leadership skills. Now, this is not essential right from the get-go, but make sure to develop your leadership as quickly as possible, and it is what can turn you into a legendary band director.

Excellent Communication with Students

Communication is key in all areas of life, so it’s no different with marching bands. You need to have strong communication skills to be able to talk to your students in a way they understand and want to listen to what you’re saying. Communication is the basis of your work within the band, and the lack of communication will be felt very quickly before you ever reach your first performance.

Organized and Good at Managing Time

A band director has a deadline. There’s a piece to play at a certain time and a band to manage, so they learn how to play it before the deadline.

This is where managing time skills come into play. However, this is also where your musical proficiency comes into play just as well. You’ll have to know what musical piece you’re preparing and how you will organize the time you have so that all members can learn their part well enough.

Knowledge of Every Instrument Involved

This might be the trickiest part, but it comes naturally to most directors with a master’s and even a bachelor’s degree in music. You must be familiar with every instrument involved with your marching band.

During your education, you’ve probably come across many of these instruments. If not, make sure to learn before applying for the marching band director role.

Teaching and Mentorship Skills

For music educators, teaching and mentorship skills are crucial to ensure your band members listen to your guidance. You need to be a good teacher and a mentor to your students to succeed as a band director. Plus, the students will love you for it even more.

Typical Marching Band Director Requirements from Schools For Hiring

• A degree in music or music education
• Sharp music skills
• Being an expert in at least one musical instrument
• A license or certification to teach in your state

Tips for Success as a School Marching Band Director

Most schools will look at what you’ve accomplished before hiring you as their band director. However, this is often not enough, and you’ll have to continue working on yourself and your skills to achieve success as a school marching band director. Here are some tips on how to achieve that:

Keep Learning as Both a Teacher and Musician

The learning never stops for a marching band director. Keep learning and evolving, focusing on all things music and teaching. This is especially important if you don’t have much teaching experience.

Foster a Positive Learning Environment

In some cases, a serious face and a cold attitude help, but in many others, they’re counterproductive. Instead, foster a positive learning environment where students can come in and develop their skills, learn something new, grow, and also have a fun band experience they will cherish for the rest of their lives and yours! 

Be Prepared for Long Hours and a Lot of Challenges

Not everyone can do this challenging role, so be prepared for long hours and challenges you haven’t encountered before. Rehearsals can sometimes go on for hours after the classes, especially as the performance date comes closer.

Creativity Can Overcome a Lot of Budget Problems

You’ll need to consider your budget when planning performances, trips, camps, and other similar activities. However, your budget is limited, and you might not have enough to cover the expenses. This is where your creativity can come in handy, especially when it comes to performance costumes. Need tips on this? Read here.

Build Good Relationships with Both Students and Parents

A positive learning environment will almost certainly lead to good relationships with your students and their parents. This means a lot, and it’ll make it easier to work with all of them.

Cousin's Concert Attire Can Help Any Band and Its Director Out

Being a band director is no joke, as your students and the school as a whole will trust you. While there will be many challenges, band and concert wear doesn’t have to be one of them.

Cousin’s Concert Attire can help you and your performers look the best on the day of the performance, all without spending the entire band’s budget. Explore our offer, as we’re sure you’ll find something regardless of whether you’re shopping for one or the entire group.