Introducing USC's drum major

The L.A. Times is excited to welcome one of our new contributors, Ed Carden, the drum major for USC's world famous Spirit of Troy. His first post explains just what he does as the band's front man.

When I introduce myself and tell people I’m the drum major for the USC Band, the usual response goes something like this … “Huh?” Then I get to explain exactly what it is that the drum major does, which isn’t always easy.

As a Trojan fan (or at least a follower of college sports), you probably know the drum major better as “Tommy Trojan” or “the guy that stabs the field during pregame.” But Tommy Trojan (as we all know) is a statue in the middle of campus, and there’s a lot that goes in behind the scenes before a drum major gets to stab the field.

Auditions for drum major are held at the end of the spring semester each year behind Heritage Hall. The band votes for the best candidate based off of their marching, conducting (with the Trojan sword) and an inspirational speech. I tried out alongside two of my close friends, with whom I spent months preparing for the audition. After putting in so much time and effort, it was an accomplishment just getting up there.

As USC drum major, I have the same leadership responsibilities as band leaders from other schools — keeping the band in line, yelling out commands and conducting fight songs. The biggest responsibility for me, though, is to keep the band’s spirit and morale up, because that’s what sets us apart from the rest of the pack.

A close friend told me before the year about the two most important jobs for the drum major. The first is obvious, the pregame routine when I will get the opportunity to stab the field and get the Coliseum ready for game time. The second is less obvious, though: leading the band through band camp the week before classes even begin.

Band camp is the single most important milestone on the way to a great season. Our one-week camp is by far the hardest thing we do, and it’s the glue that brings each new year’s edition of the Trojan Marching Band together. We sweat and toil together on the field and in the rehearsal hall for 10 hours a day. It’s where Trojans learn to work hard. It’s where we perfect the band sound and style. And it’s where freshmen become Trojans. And as drum major, it’s my job to keep the band’s spirit up and maintain the drive of the group. As an individual, it’s easy to get worn out after a long day in the sun, but the Trojan Marching Band never gets tired.

Now, as the band continues to prepare for the home opener against Ohio State, my job is to keep the band moving in the right direction. Band camp is just the beginning — it’s when the band steps out of the tunnel into the Coliseum that the real fun begins.

-- Ed Carden
Photos: Ed leads the Trojan Marching Band at last week's Virginia game. Credits: Geoff Burke / US Press Wire (top) and Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images.