Best Flute Captain: what are some things to do to be a good flute captain?

Question:I've tried out for flute captain in our marching band before, but haven't made it, mostly because I wasn't an upperclassmen. This May I will be trying out again. Right now i'm in 10th grade, but I will be an 11th grader during the marching season. My competition will be about 2-3 upcoming sophmores, about 1-2 people in my grade, and about 1-2 people going to 12th grade, one of which is this years captain. We have to help at 'rookie' band camp, and write a paper stating why we want to be captian and what sets us apart from the rest of the captains-to-be. In the past the flute section didn't like the captain because she wasn't resonsible, or that she was too harsh with punishments. Does anyone have any tips or advice on what a good captain should act like. Captains are allowed to assign laps for anyone who doesn't follow the rules. I don't want to have anyone to laps, instead I would want them to just behave and be resonsible. Answers very much appreciated!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've tried out for flute captain in our marching band before, but haven't made it, mostly because I wasn't an upperclassmen. This May I will be trying out again. Right now i'm in 10th grade, but I will be an 11th grader during the marching season. My competition will be about 2-3 upcoming sophmores, about 1-2 people in my grade, and about 1-2 people going to 12th grade, one of which is this years captain. We have to help at 'rookie' band camp, and write a paper stating why we want to be captian and what sets us apart from the rest of the captains-to-be. In the past the flute section didn't like the captain because she wasn't resonsible, or that she was too harsh with punishments. Does anyone have any tips or advice on what a good captain should act like. Captains are allowed to assign laps for anyone who doesn't follow the rules. I don't want to have anyone to laps, instead I would want them to just behave and be resonsible. Answers very much appreciated!

Marching band flute is a touchy subject with many flute teachers. The band director often wants unreasonable posture - that really square, flute up, shoulders back style - that is totally incongruent with fine flute playing. You need to define a posture that WORKS< and then discuss it with your director - and then insists that ALL flutists look uniform in this posture. Sloppiness cannot be tolerated - but impossible, painful posture cannot be, either! I would assume that you have to test people on things like memorized music, scales, etc. You can also set goals for clarity and speed of double-tonguing, pattern playing - things like 12131415161718;87868584838281 in each key, or scales in thirds. These will all help make your section better. Although the flute takes a LOT of air, I am with you - assigning LAPS as a punishment is not the best use of time. You need to set up your expectations, put them in writing, and then perhaps as a GROUP, your section can decide on consequences (a better word than punishments) if someone lets down the section. Having your team have input makes them NOT BLAME YOU, and want to work together. You sound like a very involved and supportive young musician - I wish you much luck, not only in this venture, but your musical future.