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You are the Music Director and conductor of the Athenian Regiment, which means you are the head honcho! You must oversee your entire staff to make sure that they are doing what you hired them to do. It is also your job to rehearse the corps yourself or delegate the job to a member of your staff each day. Each of the seven members of your staff have specific duties they must accomplish for you to meet your goal of becoming a group worthy of competing in DCI. Anything that needs to be done that is not in the job description of the seven people listed below falls on the shoulders of you, the Music Director (unless, of course, you delegate the work to someone else).

Director of Public Relations: The DPR's work actually begins before anyone else's. The DPR's responsibilities include setting up auditions at the beginning of each season, setting up the corps' rehearsal and competition schedule, and anything else in the fields of public relations, personnel, and advertising.

Director of Finance: It is your accountant's job to keep track of how much each staff member is being paid, and how much you are spending on instruments, uniforms, contest entry fees, and anything else which may arise. All other members of the staff must meet with the Music Director and Director of Finance whenever they wish to purchase something.

Music Arranger: Once you have finished the audition process and know your instrumentation, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each individual section within the ensemble, the music arranger must go to work. It is his job to pick out music that will fit the talents and personality of the group, and to arrange that music so that it is unique to the group.

Drill Designer: The DD's primary job is to design the marching drill for the competition show. Using a drill design computer program, the DD will provide every member of the Regiment with a "set sheet" on the first day of rehearsals that tells them where they will be on the field for every single count in the entire ten to twelve minute competition show. The DD must also be available during all rehearsals to work with the visual coordinator, and in case the Music Director wants to change anything in the drill.

Visual Coordinator: The VC is in charge of deciding every single horn angle and horn flash, and also works with the color guard instructor on the possible uses of props. The VC must work closely with the music arranger to be sure that all visuals correspond to what is happening in the music.

Color Guard Instructor: The CGI writes the entire color guard routine and is the main voice (along with the Music Director) of deciding what uniforms the guard will wear and what props they will use. The CGI will also work with the visual coordinator on any dancing that may be incorporated into the show.

Percussion Instructor: The PI leads all percussion section rehearsals, arranges the percussion music, and decides what type of drum heads, sticks, mallets, etc. will be used in the show.

Page Author: W. Cory Reynard - Crawfordsville, IN

Last updated: 4/26/03