Designers, directors, instructors, performers… They all offer a unique set of talents that make the marching arts one of the most expressive and inspired activities.

Traditionally, each of these career paths in the field begin in the classroom.

This is why Pyware provides a 6-month student subscription of the Professional Version 11, offered for students enrolled in Marching Band Methods or Techniques courses, Advanced Drill Writing classes, and independent studies.

A student’s introduction to the software and drill design often sparks an interest for a lifelong pursuit in the profession. After a student has purchased a subscription and completed a course, they qualify for a discount on a new Pyware license. Seeing students take advantage of this offer, purchase their own personal license, and take the first steps in a drill design career, was our aim when we instituted student subscriptions roughly 20 years ago.

“There are quite a few of our students who use Pyware beyond their Marching Band Techniques courses. Many write their own drill within the first few years of teaching. I first heard of Pyware in my undergraduate classes, and first purchased my own in my third year of teaching public schools,” said Dr. Alex Wimmer, Associate Director of Bands at Kansas State University.

 

“During my time at Ohio University, we exclusively used Pyware to demonstrate not only the drill writing process, but also to demonstrate concepts of drill to students. We often just explored the tip of the iceberg so-to-speak, as the power of Pyware is vast and only simple concepts are able to be introduced in a semester-long techniques course. However, I often would have students then take an independent study on advanced drill writing concepts and Pyware tools the next year to further their understanding of the program and really learn the advanced capabilities of the program,” said Josh Boyer, former Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Ohio University, current Director of Bands at Olentangy Orange High School.

 

 

“Pyware is great for teaching students how to move from conceptualizing movement within a show to getting it designed and then being able to realize it on the field in a true representation of what it will look like in their home stadium or at specific venues. Most students who use the software in class go on to purchase either individual copies or have their schools purchase a copy for them to use in either designing their show, or to have to do editing for shows they get from other designers,” said Jay Watkins, University of Florida Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Gator Band.

 

 

“Our students enjoy learning about how their creative ideas can become reality through Pyware. Teaching our students various tools of Pyware shows them not only how to design different drill sets, but also best practices on how to teach marching and maneuvering through drill design. The Pyware software is a user-friendly tool that facilitates such demands,” said Tremon Kizer, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Florida.

 

 

“My experience teaching with Pyware has been great. There are weekly drafts, in which the expectation is that each draft includes more drill than the prior class meeting with new instructor feedback. The final draft should show mastery of the basic Pyware design tools, should integrate the color guard and drum line, and be delivered with a PDF of the charts, the Pyware file, and a video of the perspective viewer with audio. I learned Pyware as an undergrad in 2003, then went back to graduate school in 2016 and started designing quite a bit more,” explained Dr. F. Mack Wood, Associate Director or Bands and Director of the Big Red Marching Machine of Illinois State University.

 

For students choosing to teach or direct, rather than write drill, the opportunity to see marching band from the perspective of the drill designer, who they will work closely with, is invaluable.

 “It is wonderful to see our undergraduates use Pyware and learn the fundamentals of drill writing through the software. They leave the course with both a greater understanding of the drill writing process and appreciation for those who do it!” Alex Wimmer explained.

Many college and university music education programs that have implemented Pyware into the curriculum have seen students become more educated and interested in the intricacies of a marching band show, and in turn more aware of the possibilities in this field.

 

“I have always used Pyware for designing shows for my school or university and for all my professional design jobs for clients.  It is literally the industry standard due to its limitless capabilities to adapt to any performance space and performer imaging and viewer perspectives,” Jay Watkins stated.

“Paired with Ultimate Drill Book, Pyware is the way to create and share drill with our students for the most effective and efficient rehearsals possible,” Josh Boyer echoed.

 

If you are an instructor interested in implementing Pyware student subscriptions to your college or university course, please fill out this school registration form:

https://www.pyware.com/school-registration/

Once we approve it, your students will receive emails with purchase links to the 6-month, $99 Professional Version 11 student subscription.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at sales@pyware.com.

 

Our team’s foremost goals at Pyware are to provide the best product we can, unrivaled customer service with continual improvements, and offer the most user-friendly experience for all our customers — full-time designers, band directors or instructors, and students just starting out!