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 Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:46 pm
well i found out that i'm gonna be the flute section leader next year and i was wondering if you guys could help me out. im kinda nervous since most of the girls in my section are seniors next year but i'll be a junior. i want it to be fun but i want us to be good. we've had a rebuilding year in in band this year so there were a lot of newcomers with little experience in the wind ensemble, particularly in my section. it wont be as bad next year but im worried. the girls in my section are nice, but they jsut dont care. im the only flute out of both bands that met the requirement to even be in the ensemble, but the bd is letting it slide for people again this year. i want them to know their parts, but they refuse to practice. i figure if i have a sectional every week it would help, and i might just encourage a little friendly competition for chairs to motivate them. im also organizing a sectional party over the summer as a sort of icebreaker for any newcomers, and to let the others know that i mean business. we're also making tie-dye section tee-shirts! heart does anyone have any other pointers to help me out. i want it to be fun but i want us to be good too. i dont wanna be the flute dictator...
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 4:24 pm
Sounds like you've already got a good start on what you should do. Sectionals are a must. But make sure it's not a stressful environment where everyone gets angry at anyone else - that makes sectionals the most miserable experience of your life. What I did for those who didn't want to attend sectionals was tell them that if they asked me THAT DAY what we'd be working on, they could show up at the beginning, play whatever the standard was for me really quick and then leave. That encourages individual practice for any anti-socials you might have.
Make sure you're nice but at the same time productive. All the time. And set an example. My band director told section leaders as well as council members that being in a leadership position of any sort meant you'd always be in a sort of fish bowl, whether you were at school or home, in the band room or your English class. You have to show everyone the way to behave, the way to practice, etc. etc.
Other than that, I'm not really sure what to tell you. The best thing for me when I became section leader was basically practicing as a sort of co-section leader the year before, as well as actually BECOMING section leader. Experience is knowledge. =]
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 5:04 pm
Haha well, i like what has already been said, because i can relate to both. Im going to be trumpet section leader as a sophmore this coming year, and there are a lot of seniors and juniors in it that im afraid wont respect what i say. But last years section leader really was the best and showed me how to act. I think, your on the right track, paying attention to the new comers and lower leveled, because, if they feel important and accepted, they'll want to work at it and have fun with it, i also think getting together with the section like you said is a good idea. Also, setting an example is a really big part. Like, have fun, and play around, but when its time to preform or get with it, show em' an example of how they should act. And like, when they need to improve on something, dont act like they fail at what they do, try to encourage em'. Have fun section leader lol
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 6:11 pm
I definately agree that leading by example is one of the most important thing. It shows that you're serious and how much you care. If anything, the passion you have for the ensemble as a whole can be what motivates the others. Also, it prevents you from accidentally becokming the kind of leader who is "I'm in charge and you must do what I say". No one likes that kind of leader. Work with them, encourage them and let them know that they are never alone. Everyone is cheering for them to do well and they need to know that. Sometimes it can be hard to tell. Also, as always, the group is more important than the individual. A group is only as strong as it's weakest person. Sometimes, people need to be reminded of that.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:27 pm
thanks for all of your ideas. i really appreciate it! heart
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:52 pm
First of all, DON'T SWEAR AT THEM.
That does nothing.
I was SL at the middle school for low brass, and I didn't go more than two words without saying "********" or "God damn."
One time, to tell the trombones that there was A-flat in the key, and to stop blatting, I said:
"Hey, dumb ********, it's ******** key of E-flat, so there's A- flat in the key. Stop blatting out that Goddamn A- natural or I'm going to ******** kill you."
All throughout the parade and every practice, they blatted out A's, even during my solo when they WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO PLAY; hence, solo.
Don't focus only on the weaker players, because the better players still need practice.
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:42 pm
Well, I have been a sort of section leader over the saxaphones and bass clarinets ( I play both). You have some good ideas but don't forget that you are the one in charge and that those under you understand that. Also don't take s**t from them. Trust me on that.
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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:53 pm
If theyre givin u attitude or whining dont take it into ur own hands ignore it, but if they become distracting or a huge problem dont try to take care of it bring it to ur band director. i learned that xDD i dont think u should have like a competition for chairs b/c people can get pretty nasty with that xD
another note: It is great to help weaker players but the better players are there too, try to get everyone on the same level and sometimes people are too lazy so dont try to focus all ur energy into gettin some dumba$$ kid who doesnt care to learn somethin.
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Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:23 pm
I think you have come up with some really good ideas already. Like said before, though, don't take anyone's crap. Sometimes, instead of focusing on the problem solvers, you should focus on the newbies because they might need your help. If they don't want to participate or practice, why are they even in band?
I just graduated from high school and I was in a small band. You always get those people who just don't feel like doing crap. It does get annoying when the BD lets it slide because then you feel like they can get away with anything. Sometimes, all it takes is something like, "Well, maybe you won't march at the football game this Friday." A friend of mine was section leader this past year (first time) and she finally stepped up and told one of them that.
All it takes is speaking up and making sure everyone in your section is heard.
Yeah, it is hard being section leader (I've only been section lead once), but if you were the one who wanted to go for the position, you need to be the one to stand up, take it, and do all you can.
Wish you every success as a Section Leader.
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:59 pm
alright so rule number one: dont take any ones crap
rule number two: give equal amounts of attenton to everyone
rule number three: make the ones who dont want to work, work, or give them a consequence.
thanks guys. i think it'll be a good section.
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