...Some flute players are better than others, causing drama

[lula]

So for the past week I've had a third flute play a first flute part with me because I'm section leader and I am allowed to make those decisions. The second flute has missed band rehersals and completely zones out in class everyday, not seeming to care at all about what is going on.

A girl from the double reed section confronted me about the third flute playing the second flute part. She says that having the third flute play the second girls' part is embarassing for her. Well, hello! If she actually cared then I'd switch it back to the original way! Third flute is a better player than second and is almost better than me on some things. So as you can see, I'm trying to do what's right for my section. I'm not trying to hurt anyones feelings, I'm just being a section leader. So now the girl from the double reed section is telling me that second flute has seniority over third. That is NOT TRUE. Second and third have both been playing for the same amount of time, they are just in different grades.

I have agreed to go back to the original way so they'll stop fighting and I'm just sick of it. I haven't told the band directors about it because it isn't worth their or my time. I'm trying to protect my section and a double reed is telling me what to do! I want to quit band, but then I don't. Please, someone just give me some encouraging words.

- Lula

[Phineas]

So for the past week I've had a third flute play a first flute part with me because I'm section leader and I am allowed to make those decisions. The second flute has missed band rehersals and completely zones out in class everyday, not seeming to care at all about what is going on.

A girl from the double reed section confronted me about the third flute playing the second flute part. She says that having the third flute play the second girls' part is embarassing for her. Well, hello! If she actually cared then I'd switch it back to the original way! Third flute is a better player than second and is almost better than me on some things. So as you can see, I'm trying to do what's right for my section. I'm not trying to hurt anyones feelings, I'm just being a section leader. So now the girl from the double reed section is telling me that second flute has seniority over third. That is NOT TRUE. Second and third have both been playing for the same amount of time, they are just in different grades.

I have agreed to go back to the original way so they'll stop fighting and I'm just sick of it. I haven't told the band directors about it because it isn't worth their or my time. I'm trying to protect my section and a double reed is telling me what to do! I want to quit band, but then I don't. Please, someone just give me some encouraging words.

- Lula

Why do you care about what someone NOT in your section thinks? You have to stand up and be a leader for your section. You will find in life that you will never please everyone. There is always at least one that thinks they run the whole show. Worse, people that think they are a better leader. You will find in life that there will always be people that can do better with what you have than you can.

Be a leader, and stand by your decisions. Do what you think is right within the realm of your authority. If miss reedy-toot in the other section does not like it, she can escalate her concerns to the music director.

Phineas

[Classitar]

I haven't told the band directors about it because it isn't worth their or my time......

Lula, the band directors should have experience in dealing with these situations. You may benefit from a discussion with them. I don't believe you need them to tell you what's right or wrong but you may hear some anecdotes or recommendations from professional people that have been dealing with issues like this for a long time, you're there for an education after all.

Congratulations on being a section leader! Don't take the criticism to heart, some people enjoy being argumentative, when people create problems, try and let it remain their problem

[concertmaster3]

I honestly think you did the right thing. In any professional situation, this would usually not just involve the 3rd player moving up, but the 2nd player getting fired or fined for not showing up and not being working when they are there. So kudos to you for doing the right thing!

[Kshel]

+1 to all posted responses. It's no one else's business who plays what part. The second chair player should step up her game if she feels slighted. It's lame that she spoke to someone else about it and not you.

I get so fed up with people who think they can have everything just handed to them when they are clearly not working for it. (End rant)

[lula]

Thank you so much for all of the responses. The sad part is player 2 hasn't said anything about her part being traded and player 3 doesn't know what is going on. Double reed just likes to start stuff, obviously. Anyway, I told my assistant band director. She says we'll either make the duet a solo OR have tryouts to see who sounds best with me. My band director wasn't happy at all with it and thinks we need to talk to the head band director. Guess we'll see what happens.

[fluteguy18]

I know it's a bit late, but really... should that sort of thing ever happen again, just tell them to piss off. Sorry to be so rude about it, but it's true.

And, no disrespect intended to you concertmaster3, but this is a very different situation than a professional orchestral setting. This is a high school band, and involving section players. As in... plural players on one part. Only rarely are high school ensembles (aside from performing arts schools and youth orchestras) set up in a professional format (one player per part). It's not like this person is the Piccoloist/third flutist where there are ONLY three people in the section (although they might be). It's not like these were the only three people to get the spots and other people were turned away. These might be the only 3 flutists in the whole school. Chairs aren't done by audition per position but a hybrid judging system that often weighs age and grade heavier than skill. It's not comparable whatsoever to a professional situation and honestly... having been in the same situation as the OP myself, backing down was the wrong thing to do.

In that situation it is ALWAYS the best player who gets the secondary part especially if a part needs to be covered for a rehearsal.

Just let the director take care of it. It's this kind of stuff that would make me a terrible band director. I just can't put up with this kind of nonsense.

(P.S. Sorry to be so rude and snippy. It's been a long week. I'm not mad at anybody. I'm just grumpy. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. I don't mean to).

[Teetoreeto]

I hope that you've found encouragement and support from the others who've replied. I've just joined a few days ago and am catching up.

As a professional musician and music director, I'd have to agree with everyone's suggestions. If you are in charge you must take charge. Yes, this is a learning experience, so take advantage of it and take risks and make mistakes. We learn the most from our mistakes. In this case you've not made any notable mistakes. You can't hold hands or be anyone's mommy. These players must learn what is expected from them. They must learn protocol. If your decisions and results are not pleasing to the director then you have to rethink your choices. Don't cave in and remind these players that YOU are section leader. And that comes with enormous responsibility. When they become section leader then they can make the call. You go!! And much success to you. Congrats!!