Discipline problems within my section

[11clarinet]

Ever since I got section leader, the attitude of the clarinets has changed. I'm used to being "too nice" and happy. So now when me and the other section leader try to get them "SET" faster or stop the talking, they don't take us seriously. At the first band camp i thought i was just being too uptight (since one of the clarinets got angry that they didn't get section leader and didn't like me telling her to go to parade rest...and they ended up talking behind my back), so now during the August camp i am trying to be more relaxed and more personable to them. But still the talking won't stop.
Our band director talked to the section leaders and said that it was up to us to get the band disciplined, and that would have to start within our individual sections.
We thought about the push-ups thing but i don't know how effective that would be for my section, since they don't listen to me when i correct their marching technique (they give me excuses) or when i tell them to hustle when getting back to the block.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get your section to be more disciplined without looking like the bad guy? and how do you get your section to stop talking during sectionals?

[fluttietuttie]

Have you talked to the band director about it and how they're not listening to you? I've dealt with something like this, and I've always learned that I'm their equal. They don't want you telling them what to do, but they know the higher ups mean business. Get him/her involved. If you have some sort of tech, also get him/her involved. Trust me. It works.

[Lee]

I'd recommend the band director also.

[~*Not~a~Stalker~*]

If you don't want to go straight to the director, I would go to a field commander...Get him/her to crack down. on your section. If they correct the same things that you've been doing, your section should do them, and you can just reinforce by saying, "[DM] SAID GET SET!" ...or whatever command it is.

[trumellotonium]

I never like using someone else to enforce it, because it means they're still not listening to YOU. If they're too friendly with you, that's not necessarily a bad thing- I'd just talk with them and stress the need to know the difference between when it's ok to be friends and hang out, etc, and when they need to listen to you as section leader.

[bandgeek101]

Have a nice long talk with them about how they don't have to be there, they are there by choice. If they don't like how what they chose to do is turning out, they should quit. Tell them how it is going to be and if they don't like it they are free to leave. They signed up for it and need to take responsibility. As for punishment, I like push-ups as there is no constructive punishment for disipline problems. As for you, I would try to only mind the problems that are holding your section back. If people are doing their job well their attitude will settle in naturally. If they are not working hard, though, punishment is needed. Just ake sure that whatever punishment you give is for the benefit of the section and ultimately the band, not to make things less complicated for you or any other individual. I only say this because my section leader gives 25 push-ups for a complait ("i need water" got me that on the field), so that he doesn't have to worry about that. I doubt that you would do that I just like to make sure because things can turn that way without people knowing. Laps are also good punishment but they wear people out too much for it to be worth it. crunches are my second favorite. Good luck we have problems like this in my bend too.

[1frodos1]

A few sad but true facts:
1) jesus didnt get universal popularity - niether will you
2)you cant change a person or a behavior - you can make them want to change
3)intimidation,bribery and manipulation will never work in the end.

Punishment- doesnt really work.some kids find it easier to run or do pushups than listen and learn - they at least have controll over when they are punished.also many punishments take up band time so they disrupt even more.For hustling to reset i assign sucides across the football field, to show they need to run short and long distances.the most i ever had anyone run them was to the 50 before they learned it was easier to run the 10 ft to the set than to waste time after practice.

Being too nice: sit down with the section and expain what needs to happen - if it gets done than you can be nice, if it doesnt happen then you have to step up and make it happen - nice or not.
listening to corrections: "praise in public critisize in private" some people will shut down if they feel embarissed so quietly let them know if they need to change something then whatch to see if any effort is made.If not then takee them aside and 1 on 1 with them during a lunch break or something - it really only takes 15 min to eat lunch if you have 30 min for lunch (ot dinner) then use the rest to teach.the added bonus of taking away lunch time from someone who wont listen to you

If all else fails: keep a log of disrespect- then you have something concrete to show the BD.and LEAD BY EXAMPLE - if you want everyone to set quickly then you better be sprinting to you spot,if you want good marching then you better march well.

[trumellotonium]

As sergeant the past three years, I've tried numerous approaches to this kind of problem, and this past year was the hardest one to deal with. People started taking my leadership for granted and not listening/respecting me as much as they had. To deal with this, partly out of my own frustration, I started doing what I did before I was sergeant-- gratuitous amounts of PT. Pushups between every rep, on every break, during meals, etc, as well as extra laps, everything. People started to notice, and without my having to yell at anyone or give anyone else PT, suddenly I had the respect of the band again.

Basically, my golden rule is to lead by example and change yourself before you try to change someone else.