Heres the story...
I have about 7 years of flute under my belt and then when I went into marching band,I went with percusiion,still doing the flute.I ma now in Intermediate band..I am first chair/section leader)(grrrr >=V)(going to be in advanced band next year!!yay LoL)And then my band teacher(who is leaving )said,"If you want top be section leader next year for marching band,come get your applications."So I got one and did it for flute...I am pretty sure I am the only one who turned one in cause all the people in advanced band are senioras and are obviously leaving.If I do get the job,Im afraid that no one in my section is going to listen and what not.I have very little patience and I just dont want to be known as the horrible sectiona leader..I want to be the cool one but with a good section.
But what the hell should I do?!I am so not prepared for that sorta...I am onkly going to be a sophomore next year :P
And even now as me being section leader for flute in Int. band only one person listens to me and that is my friend Carmen.If I try to tell the other girls(and boy)what to do I get mny head bitten off then they play it wrong and Im the ont whop endas up getting in trouble.Then when They finally do listen thy are like why didnt you tell me before?Im like I DID!!You just refused to listen to me!
so...what should I do to try and become a better leader?
Personally it sounds like too much stress to me. There is enough stress that comes along with being in HS, why add more if you don't have to? If it were up to me I would let someone else do it unless I knew for sure that I could handle it. I would much rather just play and enjoy myself. Just my two cents. Good luck with it.
Thanks Kara...but as I mentioned(or atleast thought I mentioned)I am the only one who turned in an application...and I think he only allows people who have turned in an application.
I appreciate your twoo cents...now I only need 98 cents more :D LoL
Well if that is what you want. But I am sure you could always tell them that you changed your mind. It sounds like you are already stressed about the whole thing. If it is truly what you want then I say go for it and give 100%. You already know your weaknesses with the other flutists as far as patience goes so that is a start.
Thanks Kara :D
This is what Im going to tell them,Look we can have fun but you have to do what you need to do.I dont want to have to yell at you guys.So just do what your suppossed to and dont screw around and we will all be fine and dandy.
(Yes Im extremely stressed right now!!grades,final exams..etc.)
"I am the only one who turned in an application...and I think he only allows people who have turned in an application."
Go and talk to your current (&/or new) band leader. We solve problems by effective communication. Perhpas he/she can find somebody else, or help you do the job effectively.
"I dont want to have to yell at you guys.So just do what your suppossed to and dont screw around and we will all be fine and dandy."
Even the mention of yelling to solve problems sounds threatening to me. So what do your think their reaction would be?
If there is no escape, or you actually do want this responsibility, then talk to people who have done it before you, to learn from them. Ask your leader(s) who you can talk to.(?)
For a start, deal with problems with other players in private, otherwise you create complicating issues of embarrassment as well. Always keep calm and positive in the group situation, helping others to find solutions. That does not include yelling!! And don't pretend to be an expert that you are not. Admit it when you don't know something, and attempt to find out. Otherwise they will quickly have zero respect for you. Admit mistakes. Sort out issues before they get anywhere near the blowing up stage. Take a night class course on management :-)
I agree with previous posters...Having been a marching band section leader myself(many years ago...), the first thing that I would do is not to worry about being the "cool section leader". I realize that being cool seems important in high school, but as a leader, that is not your job. If you become a good leader, "being a cool section leader" will naturally follow. I would second the suggestion of talking with this year's section leader, as well as your current band director. Explain your fears, and ask for suggestions about developing your leadership skills. And as Kara mentioned, if this is too stressful for you this year, than consider withdrawing your application and enjoy your junior year as a good flute player. You can always apply for your senior year! Being a section leader can be a wonderful experience, and you will learn some valuable skills that will take you through life. However, it's also a big responsibility and one that you probably shouldn't take on until you feel comfortable with it.
don't worry about it. Kids in marching band volunteer to do it, so you won't have that many behovorial problembs, which means you don't have to be strict
at my school marching band is madatory if you want to be in the concert band.
just make sure you see every single person's opinion as valid no matter who they are. i've been section leader for the past 3 years and i dont know if this is the thing to do everywhere but i always act kindof silly and make things sort of like a game...like when we have to go back a set i always run back as fast as i can and people do the same thing and ...i guess its kindof funny. or when im explaining something ill do it with a ridiculous analogy...if you get them to laugh they connect with you. just be positive and happy and down to earth...never yell unless it is completely necessary...which should be EXTREMELY rare.
also
i made it a point to do things that would unite us as a section and personally
before we stepped off for any sort of marchinig band performance everyone would put their hands out and id run by all of them giving them high fives and saying yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah! hahaha
and this is going to seem the silliest of all but
we had flute seances
and youd never think it, but every single person in the entire section ended up participating every time, even the "cool" girls
"hmmmm i pray to the flute deity to give me energy and revitalize meeee!" hahaha
most of all you have to work the hardest. you need to set an example of work ethic and positive attitude for every other person in the section. if people see that you arent working at least as hard as they are, there is no way they will respect you. they really cant touch you if you do everything you are supposed to do and more...and as section leader you should care so much that you are willing to do silly ridiculous things and call sectionals and do everything you can for your section because in highschool not everyone has the same motivation and initiative. make them want to work hard by making it a fun experience for them.
I want to start off by saying...THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!
I did talk to the current section leader(Lola)and shes like,"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!Cheyenne!!!Thats so cute!!!" Lol
To correct the mistake of me being a junoir,Im a froshy going to be a sophomore next year...I hate yelling so i really dont want to,but I kinda have to give them the point of view that if they dont do what needs to be done,disciplinary actions will be taken...But most of the other girls from last year hardly showed up for sectionals...Idk...Ill make sectionals fun and exciting...bring candy or a treat of some sort....
Its a flute tradition at our school to have a flute sleepover and I guess like if they dont do anything they cant go(?) I dont how good of an idea that is..but hey...its worth a shot... But Im going to be going to a leadership workshop in June so hopefully that will help me a lot.
I know I can act like I know everything sometimes(and Im working on that!!!)
But Im am working on everything I can...and it seems to be helping...But Im also going to ask Lola for a bit more tips.
And she did suggest making things fun and making them funny
.I hate yelling so i really dont want to,but I kinda have to give them the point of view that if they dont do what needs to be done,disciplinary actions will be taken...
Every band is run differently, but they'll get the idea when you start handing out laps/pushups/talks/whatever is appropriate. Don't be afraid to rely on the rest of the leadership, right on up to the band director to be sure what needs to happen gets done.
But most of the other girls from last year hardly showed up for sectionals...Idk...Ill make sectionals fun and exciting...bring candy or a treat of some sort....
It sounds like you need to get them to take band more seriously if they didn't even show up for sectionals, and giving them treats isn't the way to do that (though it is a good idea every once in a while to reinforce good behavior). They need to start taking responsibility and showing up where they're expected, and not just because they'll get a cupcake if they do.
Its a flute tradition at our school to have a flute sleepover and I guess like if they dont do anything they cant go(?) I dont how good of an idea that is..but hey...its worth a shot... But Im going to be going to a leadership workshop in June so hopefully that will help me a lot.
Generally positive reinforcement for the good things is more effective than negative reinforcement for the bad....Taking away sleepover privileges might get them to do what you want, but for the wrong reasons. If you catch them doing something good, give them public praise. If they are misbehaving, private talks may be appropriate. My old high school used to do a flute sleepover as well, and it's an excellent bonding experience, so you should be trying to make sure EVERYONE shows up, rather than taking away the right to be there. A section that likes everyone (or at least can coexist peacefully) is going to be more productive. Try to get them all to participate in bonding exercises early (as early as the beginning of the summer) and often.
And she did suggest making things fun and making them funny
It's a good idea to try to keep things light (as appropriate), but don't try to turn everything into a joke. On another note, treat all your section members with the respect you'd like them to return. When they do something you don't like, deal with it maturely (and privately if possible). If you have any questions regarding leadership, there's a FANTASTIC internet resource in Dave Kuhns. He travels the country teaching leadership seminars, and can be found on the World of Pageantry forums (worldofpageantry.com) under the username "nopsbs." I've worked with him several times before, and he has some great ideas.
I am shocked an utterly surprised by the absolute flood of BAD advice offered here.
She should quit? She should throw in the towel? She should beg her band director to ignore her application? Maybe we could follow the script from about 5 million teen movies and break in to the school late at night to steal the application from her teacher's desk!
What a bunch of dolts giving out dolty advice. You are a bunch of sad sacks.
I am a really really outstandingly good clarinet player and I stand by every advisement I have ever offered because there is no chance of me being proven wrong in the future.
Well flutes-4ever you need to toughen up and kick some serious rear-end. Stand tall and strong against the winds of inferior quality. Be strong or just appear that way (no real difference) and be the person you imagine as the real mcCoy.
"I am a really really outstandingly good clarinet player and I stand by every advisement I have ever offered because there is no chance of me being proven wrong in the future."
A person who is TRULY "really, really, outstandingly good" at ANYTHING, knows enough to know that somethimes he/she can be wrong, and even proved so.
And that is one reason why people who are TRULY eally good at something, do not advertise/boast about it the way you have done.
Those who go about waving a flag about how good they are about something, also have written on that flag that they are not as good as they think they are.
People who are truly good at something demonstrate that by their actions, which you have failed to do.
Phil, that is not the best way to make an introduction on this forum if you would like any kind of respect. I have been playing flute for over 20 years and I, like I am sure the rest of us do not appreciate being called names.
<Added>
Just take a look at the guys profile. Good Lord!!! **rolls eyes**
searching...
)said,"If you want top be section leader next year for marching band,come get your applications."So I got one and did it for flute...I am pretty sure I am the only one who turned one in cause all the people in advanced band are senioras and are obviously leaving.If I do get the job,Im afraid that no one in my section is going to listen and what not.I have very little patience and I just dont want to be known as the horrible sectiona leader..I want to be the cool one but with a good section.
