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Question: Marching Band Problem - Who should play the solo!?
Sorry this is LONG! !.!.!.!.I play oboe and this will be my 5th year of band (I'm a junior)!. This year in our marching show, they decided to have an oboe solo!. For marching I play clarinet and my friend who is a senior does guard!. The problem is, both of us want the solo!. Here's the thing; we have both made honor band, both made top band, etc!. but she is a year older!. I'm just as good as her but they wan't her to play it!. I wouldn't have a prob with it but she is in guard and they have never allowed guard to play solos before cause it would look weird!. I would already be in uniform and could play it!. We had this three day camp this summer and while we were practicing, when we got to the solo, one of the directors said and of course we dont have the oboe right now!. The whole clarinet section looked over at me like why aren't you playing it!? It made me mad cause I was right there and could have played it!. She wasn't there cause she was practicing with the guard!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hey, fellow band geek alert! :) I understand your problem!.!.!.I'm a flute player, and sometimes "Band Drama" can get in the way of every musician's end goal: an amazing performance!. Ask yourself this question: Will (name) really be so upset if you got his solo that he would never talk to you again/hold a grudge!? If the answer is yes, and you truly are on friendly terms with him, it's simple; he's dedicated and willing to work on that solo!. When either one of you gets the solo, understandably, the other will not be happy!. But in the end, this solo will not establish who you are as a musician!. You are excellent either way, ESPECIALLY with people complimenting you and telling you you deserve the solo!.
If this is really eating you up, talk to (name), compromise, explain to him how you feel!. And whatever the outcome is, keep in mind that you are an awesome player, as well as (name), and try to have some fun with it!. It's band for crying out loud!!! ;) Have a good weekend!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
wow, you are a drama queen!.
she got the solo because they wanted her to play it!. it is not your decision, and you really have no right to question itWww@QuestionHome@Com
ok so here's the thing!. I know what you want to hear, and I agree with the whole "guard doesn't play" because honestly, I think of the guard a dancers as :band geek wanna-bees (no offense to any one out there)!. but another side is, she's older!. If another solo comes up, you're going to have it immediately!. When your director makes the decision, politely ask him/her why either was chosen!. There's always the chance that maybe your director considers you an important part of the clarinet section and does not want to lost that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I completely understand!. I play flute, and although this will only be my second year of marching band, I've gone through the same thing!. I wished for the flute solo!.!.!. Never got it though!.
The thing is, you both sound like you deserve it!. However, you ARE a junior, and although you deserve the solo, you're friend is a senior!. This is her LAST CHANCE to show off what she has before she leaves!. Sure, she usually participates in gaurd, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't get the oppurtunity to play it!. Yes, you deserve it, too, but your friend may not get another chance!. You might!. Besides, next year, you'll want to show off your stuff, because you'll be a senior!. It always happens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I would say since I'm in marching band that I would want it!.You are very dedicated and love band and I believe you should have the part!.I agree that a member of the guard shouldn't play if there is another person who is already in uniform ready to play it!.They already have enough to do!.I really believe that since she is a year older that they would want her to have it!.And tha's not fair!.You are a wonderful person for putting us with this and if you dont get the part and something goes horribly wrong then you would know that they should have gone with you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
it sounds like you are definately the more deserving one!.!. if you want to play the solo, keep up the good work! you seem really dedicated!. and i'm sure your director notices!.!. if you are going to confront your director, you might just say something like!.!. i noticed that [name] has been having trouble keeping up with her solo and the guard, and if you think it would help to put two people on the part, so that there is always someone playing, incase she isn't able to make it, i would really appreciate being considered to play the solo!. just let them know you would really appreciate it if they reconsidered the situation!.!. dont seem desperate or like you're trying to kick her off of the part!. just say it as an idea for your director to think about!. let them know you would be more than willing!.!. but after you have talked to your director about it, leave it alone!. they heard you, and if they say they will think about it, they will!. you're right you don't want to just keep asking!. once is enough!.!. she does have senority over you though, and it is her last year in the band!.!. she wants this chance!. it's definately not something she wants to pass up!.!. but come on!.!. you're afraid a dispute over a marching band solo might ruin your friendship!?!.!. that might be a bit of an overreaction!.!. of course, she'll be upset if you end up getting it, she wants to be able to do BOTH guard and the solo, but if she's gonna end your friendship because of it, thats a little ridiculous!.!. well i hope it all works out!. good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com
This is a hard decision I know!. I was faced with a similar one for about 2 years!. Each previous senior gets to pick a solo, but as a underclassmen I could challenge them for the solo!. But I decided to give the seniors their solos even though I could outplay them, and I already learned the solo!. I decided to let the seniors play the solo because it was their last time to play a concert for high school!. Unlike for me I still had some years left!.
For you, it really isn't your decision to decide whose playing the solo!. Its really in the hands of the director!. Remember the chain of command!? 1!. Band Director, 2!. Staff 3!. Drum Majors 4!. Section leaders 5!. senior members 6!. Everyone else!.
Talk to your director, say that your not forsure who should play it!. If your director says that the guard member should play it, then don't just throw the solo out the window!. Keep on praticing it because people can always get sick or injuried!. If the person does, then you already know the part!.
Don't worry about what everyone thinks!. Remember you still have one year left, unlike the senior its their last year!.Www@QuestionHome@Com