Conduct : Conduct

By this time of year many bands have named drum majors for the coming season, and the drum majors are preparing for drum major camp, probably best characterized as big band camps for big band geeks.

When I went to camp I thought it was to learn how to wave my arms, or to conduct. (And we all admired those of the Phantom Regiment!) But I actually learned that I needed to put my accent in another place. So I am passing this bit of advice to drum majors and, well, to anyone else in the band or in any organization:

"It is not how you kuhn-duhkt the band on the field. It is your kon-duhkt off the field."

(If you want to know about the photo, click on it to go to the story.)