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Post by hardcorpsflute on Oct 10, 2007 7:43:33 GMT -5
Okay, let's see how I can explain this....
Next year, there are going to be two seniors in my trumpet section. Me, and one other person. Because of this, I was thinking of trying out for section leader. I've only been playing trumpet for a year, though I've improved a lot. I switched over from flute and I've attained a lot of awards on flute, and continue to do a lot with flute in band (I just can't march it because our school has a drum corps). I know all twelve major scales on flute, and I'm not bad as a transposer.
The thing is, the other senior is trying out for section leader too. She's an exceptional trumpet player who has played for years, and could outplay me without trying. However, she doesn't know any scales, hasn't bothered to get any awards, and isn't as active with ensembles and such.
Do you think it's worth my trying out for section leader, despite the fact that I'm not good at the instrument whose section I'd be leading? And, is the section leader position more based on leadership ability and musicianship or playing ability?
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Post by Flutist Kes on Oct 10, 2007 15:52:12 GMT -5
In marching it's usually the one with more experience. FOr example, I am now prime pinhead (that's what I call it). When we do parade marching, I'm first row, all the way to the right. Everyone goes off me... within reason (I go off the Drum Majors). Only Juniors and Seniors can be this.
However, in concert, it's whoever plays better.
It depends on the situation in your band and how your BD handles things. And there are things that I'm not seeing... does she not have all the credentials because she's lazy, she doesn't care, she thinks she's not good enough, or some different reason? It depends on how the section will react, as well.
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Post by hardcorpsflute on Oct 10, 2007 19:07:49 GMT -5
Well, the way it works at my school is that there are four musicianship qualifications that are passed off by playing certain scales and exercises and such. It is mainly based on people wanting these qualifications, and they tend to give people somewhat of a higher status among the instructors, but mean little to the band and corps. There are a lot of people who simply don't care about these qualifications, and I believe the other future senior is one of these (she has plenty of confidence, but she can be on the lazy side).
Among the section, her and I are both fairly respected, and we get along well with each other too. The ideal situation seems to be for both of us to be leaders, since she knows trumpet well and I know how to switch over to trumpet from woodwind, but I'm not sure if my director's willing to do a joint leadership.
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Post by trumellotonium on Oct 10, 2007 22:43:15 GMT -5
The section leader should definitely be a leader, but there does need to be someone who can help people play their instrument as well. You should definitely audition-- it's ALWAYS worth auditioning. Supposing you get it, as I don't really like the idea of joint-leadership (it can get confusing with conflicting orders, etc), I would say that if it were up to me, you'd be SL but you could talk to the other guy who's better at trumpet to help you and the rest of the section when it comes to playing. It's good for the SL to be a good player, but it's more important to be a great leader. And I'll reiterate: IT IS ALWAYS WORTH AUDITIONING! Good luck!
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Post by ba12itone on Oct 11, 2007 0:53:23 GMT -5
I always say Leadership, it doesn't make sense otherwise. Of course, they need to be rather decent at playing, but that's not quite as important. Being a SL means that you have to lead your section, motivate them, and make sure they're the best they can be. Also, if you have good leadership skills, you should get some type of respect. It's not concert, it's totally different. And I totally agree with frenchhorngirl's philosophy. That's just my view on it.
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Post by Duel of the Flutes on Oct 11, 2007 19:55:41 GMT -5
hmm. well, it depends. for drumline, it's always based on playing ability, but if someone can't march, then they won't be 1st (but they could be 2nd). for everything else... it's pretty much what Kes said (since we're kinda in the same band lol).
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Post by bariclaribob on Oct 12, 2007 21:17:30 GMT -5
At our school it's always been the most senior member who is sl, but that has (coincidentally) always the same person as first chair. Tricky. I would guess that most bands look at leadership/experience moreso than playing ability.
I'm in a pickle, too. I'm first chair this year in the upper band, so I was considering trying out for sl, but this'll only be my 3rd year marching. We'll see.
Maybe there's a compromise. Perhaps you could have a "marching" sl and then a "playing" one? That's sort of what we did last year, but I didn't technically get to be a co-sl. When people had marching or drill questions, they asked the sl. When they had playing questions, they went to me. Do you think your bd would be open to that?
Good luck, and keep us posted.
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Post by dylanmyers9 on Oct 12, 2007 23:31:33 GMT -5
I'm the Sax Section Leader in my schools marching/pep band and sax ensemble(s), as well as the Double Reeds (Bassoon is primary, Sax is secondary). My director chooses the section leaders based on the combination of marching, technique, and if one has the capacity to teach the section how to march and aid their marching/musical issues; alongside playability - technique, tone, theory.
The Section Leaders and Drum Majors also tend to be in the top chairs in whatever band that they're in. Most of the Drum Majors/Section Leader (if not all of them) are in the premiere band, the Wind Ensemble, rather than Concert of Symphonic bands...
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Post by trumellotonium on Oct 12, 2007 23:53:50 GMT -5
To bariclaribob: I made horn sergeant (highest rank a hornline member can have, second to none and equal to the drum and guard sergeants [our "drum major" doesn't really serve that purpose yet: she's just a conductor]) last year, as a 15-year old sophomore in my 3rd year of marching. We did have a very talented 5th year senior, as well as many 4th year juniors, 4th year sophomores, etc. Don't think that just because you're a third-year you can't make sl. Again: IT IS ALWAYS WORTH AUDITIONING.
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nphsdm
Band Nerd
~NPHS Alliance Drum Major~
Posts: 147
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Post by nphsdm on Oct 13, 2007 11:49:25 GMT -5
Well, hardcorps flute, if you have a Band Director who would rather leadership than playing ability in leaders (hint hint) then perhaps you would have a better chance at getting section leader than the other senior (HINT HINT HINT)
Is the current section leader the BEST player? Take that into consideration. And also that you've won a lot of awards, which shows you know how to follow through with things rather than being lazy and not caring as much (HINT HINT HINT HINT!!!)
*ahem* That's my two cents in...
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Post by hardcorpsflute on Oct 13, 2007 22:06:29 GMT -5
Well then.... With that in consideration, as leadership stuff rolls around, I'll put my name in. Sounds kinda mixed in opinions, so I'll propose the joint leadership thing, and give it a shot. Thanks everyone for your input!
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Post by ssbowaterx on Oct 23, 2007 14:50:53 GMT -5
I'm a sophomore with 2 juniors in my section.
They both hate me, and one sight reads better than me(but thats it, her finished piece is the same as her sight reading.)
They made me SL because I work hard and I've been lower longer, like, I know what it's like not to understand the music so I can better help someone who doesn't get it whereas if I was good for a long time I wouldn't remember struggling as much.
I tried out mainly because I thought I would do a better job than the old section leader, I was surprised when I got the position, but if I'd never tried out then I wouldn't have even had the chance.
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Post by lowbrasskicksrearend on Mar 6, 2008 8:19:05 GMT -5
I would try and let the conducter decide. It sounds a lot like our winter concert when there was a major baritone solo. There are only two baritones in our band, but our total number is about 150. So, anyway, the other guy in my section is a junior and I'm a sophmore. We both wanted the solo, and I was thinking about just letting him have it because he was a senior, but my freinds said that I was better than him (mostly because I went to regional band and he didn't) I ended up trying for it and the conducter picked me.
So go for it and it you don't get it, You have two more years
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Post by thefluteninja on Mar 6, 2008 11:20:38 GMT -5
i say a balance of both.
my section leader is a wonderful and very talented flute and piccolo player. when you hear him, it's like..."WOW." but as far as his leadership goes, it pretty much sucks.
during marching season, while everyone had multiple sectionals, we had two. only two. and two playing tests. he always pays attention to this one freshman who apparentally is a prodigy. he has all of his focus on her. he really doesn't pay much attention to anyone that isn't really talented, at least that's what i think.
and. he [on stupid myspace] stabbed me in the back. is that leadership? don't think so. unless i'm dreaming.
as a section leader, you need to be a pretty good player. you can't suck a lot because people will be looking up to your playing. but you also need to understand what it truly is to be a leader and how to run things in the correct way.
if you do, your entire section will be happy.
trust me, i have many more horror stories from marching season about my section leader. and the thing is, he'll probably be our section leader next year...which frustrates me.
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Post by brassgirl1023 on Mar 6, 2008 17:49:16 GMT -5
IIiiii think that to be a good section leader, you have to have bothh! I mean, you should know how to lead your section and everything, and play well, so they look up to you as a great leader and musician. And that one kid was right, it's always worth auditioning. [even though im not sure of myself when it comes to the thought of allstate..you've seen the other posts]
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