I've just started this group, and hopefully someone can help me. My high school has two bands, a really good one (audition) and then the one that everyone is in. Since I am a freshman and the other oboist is a senior, I got stuck in the not so good band. Anyways... the problem is that the music is insanely easy and it's driving me up the wall. Not to mention that I can hardly hear myself think. Has anyone gone through this? How did you make it? I'll appreciate any insight.

Someone said once "There's no good or bad experience; it's all just experience" which I take to mean get the most out of any situation you find yourself in. Sometimes the "bad" experiences will give the most return.
But I was in your position years ago; in the band I was placed I could barely make myself heard. Once I had a solo and practiced madly; the day of the concert the clarinets had all decided to play along with me! Drowned out AGAIN!
Just pay as well as you can; someone will notice and someday you'll be in the better band. Use imagination; someday you will look back on this experience and see it as your difficult start. No point making yourself nuts over other people who can't play well but still decide to play loud and clear. You can't control them. It's your conductor's job to do that.
Failing that if you play a little sharp sometimes it will help your sound carry; of course we can't adjust the pitch upward much with the oboe once the reed is sunk in all the way.

Hmmmmm, I think the real question is to find out why you are not in the "audition band". Are you not in it because you didn't pass the audition or are you not in it because; A)they have enough oboe players, or B) because the director needs a good oboe player in the mass band.

When I was younger I experienced a couple of things. In junior high school first year students were not allowed in the "advanced" band regardless of how good they were. Another was my first year, first semester in high school I "challenged" the first chair horn player and I won the audition. But the director pulled me aside afterwards and told me, "even though you won the audition I want you to play 4th horn. Because Jack is a senior and has always played 1st and I need a strong player on 4th." You can imagine how upset I was. I was so upset I quit band the next semester. Well, in the horn world there are lots of people who can't play 4th horn - funny thing is I went on to be a 4th horn specialist - go figure. And that band director who I didn't speak to for many years is one of my favorite people and best friends today.

Back to you -
1- If you passed the audition and aren't getting into "audition band" because the seniors are there, have patience as you will surely be there next year. (Don't quit like I did, lots of opportunities will be lost).

2 - If you did not pass the audition find out where you need to improve so you can pass the audition.

3 - The teacher should be responsible to control the students in all classes. Don't be mean and nasty but do find a pleasant way to inform the teacher you feel the band sometimes seems like your in a game of jungle ball. Also let him or her know that you find the music far too easy and not challenging. If he needs an analogyput it to him this way, "Mr. Smith, it feels to me like I signed up for Advanced Calculus and you have me doing simple addition. If i was in math class I would complain to the principle. But I know band is a little different - please to save my sanity is there anything you can do to make this more interesting ro challenging for me?"

4- Other options. Check your community resources. Even though I quit band in high school I didn't stop playing. Many youth orchestras will take players up to 18 or even 25 years of age. Most rehearse on Saturdays. Also check out the junior college nearby. Often they have their community orchestra or community band rehearsals on Tues, Wed, or Thursday nights. You could play with them and get college credit at the same time. And don't forget about community bands or orchestra that are not affiliated with the Junior College. You may have lots of opportunities to play.

If you can pass the year with alternative music groups then you might be able to put up with crazy jungle band waiting for the senior to graduate from audition band. When you look back the year will have gone by pretty quickly.

Thank you for replying . We have two band directors, and the one that runs the audition band actually talked to me about it. He said that I actually did as good as the senior, but seniority ruled. He also said that he would like to have two oboes in the audition band except for they are so hard to tune. Great. Anyways, thank you. And about your solo. I feel so so bad for you. I guess I'll survive. Thank you again!

I've been in your situation before. Luckily I joined three youth orchestras and quit band. Truly, oboe is not a band instrument. It really is boring being an oboe in band. Oh, well.

What? Tuning two oboes is hard to do? Hmmm.
Well, I think he has opened a door for you. How well can you play in tune?
Check it out, find a freind or two and try playing in tune with them, ask them not to tune to you.

If he is giving this senior seniority then he will give you the same in the future.
Talk to him again. (after you find out how well you play in tune) go to him and say,
"Mr. Smith I thought about what you said. And I agree the band would not sound good if two oboes were playing not in tune with each other. So, I tested myself to see how well I play in tune and I think I can adjust to others. So, if you want two oboes and you want to take a chance I think I can play in tune with the other oboe player."

And then if he takes you up on it you have to adjust to her no matter how badly she is out of tune. Always honor her pitch and next year you will be #1 !!!!!!!

Thank you, I think I'll do that pitch thing. Thanks for everyone's input!

Right now, I play in a band with the same situation as you're in. The only thing I can do is pay attention to the instructor the best I can. I am the only oboe and there are four clarinets, one flute, and one alto sax in the woodwinds. Needless to say, it is a constant battle to keep the clarinets from overwhelming everybody. I'd spend this year preparing for auditions for next year, and don't worry about putting too much emphasis on practicing the music for this band(although some is necessary). Take private lessons (if you don't already) and focus more on audition material for next year.