Problems with marching.

[redhead]

Okay, a bit of a long story.

First off, I'm a freshman, and I just finished 5 days of band camp.
This morning the colour guard instructor (who is the band director's wife) asked me if I had any experience with piano. I sai I had some. We then had a conversation that the band driector had talked my middle school band director about how hard a worker I am.
When the band director pulled me into his office this afternoon, I had an idea of what was coming up. He reminded me of how when I auditioned I said that it would be a bit of a challenge for me to march. He said that this was correct. I'm working harder than anyone else on the field, but I'm just not getting it. My band driector suggested that if I don't get it soon, I would have to either drop out of marching band or join pit (since apparently they need a person). He said to not think of it as a demotion, but I couldn't help but think of it as a demotion, and that he was giving up on me.
At the end of band camp today, he walked out to the parking lot to talk to my mom. The entire time they talked, he acted like I wasn't even there. Probably the best part of the conversation was when my mom said that my first music teacher said I would never be able to play clarinet, and my band director said "well, they were defiently wrong."

Now, I am going over the pros and cons of switching to pit. We don't do many parades, so I'd still do all the shows and practices. But, I left the clarinets, there would only be four clarinets. And we're having a hard enough time being heard as it is.
And I'm also thinking "How come everyone can get marching (or any physcial activity, for that matter) but me?"

[Deleted]

Wow. I don't even know where to begin.

To begin with, if you are that hard of a worker, your director is not acting in his best interest to even suggest that you drop out. Marching band is, in my experience, more than ninety-nine percent effort. I have known All-State musicians who may as well have not done band because of how little effort they put into marching, and I have known some completely talentless musicians (me being the prime example) who have become indispensible through sheer brute force. Regardless of your position on the field, a good attitude is invaluable.

The right decision for you depends entirely on the circumstances. What is the pace of your season? Have you already set drill for the show? How far along is "everyone"? How far behind on you in marching? How much trouble would it be to write you out of the show? When is your first game?

I wish I could say I can relate to being unable to march, but I am one of those for whom it is like breathing, so I can't. From what I've seen, even the freshmen with the most trouble can usually get it together in time for end-of-season competition; however, that may not be soon enough for you. I would say, if the pit is in need of someone else and you have played piano in the past, that that is your best bet, regardless of the clarinets, because the harsh reality is, if you are struggling as much as you say you are with marching, then the net result of you marching with them is going to be negative even if the clarinets have less volume.

As for your last question, the best answer I can give you is don't ask. Whatever the real answer is, it's not your fault that marching is difficult for you, especially if other physical activities are also difficult.

I'm sorry if I was blunt, and I have nothing but respect for you approaching the situation as you have.

[bluescalesdragon]

I had the same troubles with marching. I didn't get it for weeks. Weeks. 5 days is not enough for anyone to know if they can't march. One day, it just clicked for me. I'm sorry that no one gave you a choice in the matter, though. If there's still a chance that you can get your spot back......I would take a deep breath and go up and ask, I really would.