Ok, so I have a problem. My high school band doesn't have "section leaders" we have seniors the entire senior class is supposed to act like section leaders and be responsible for the sections and all that. Well we have this creed we say and a senior always says it but this year there is a lot of drama between the seniors because some people don't what the person who says it to say it or they don't like the way he/she says it and we had a senior meeting today to try and clear up any hate or anything. And now we have this giant division in our band. Can anyone give me advice on how to keep our senior class from destroying this year and help keep leadership to leadership and not a ego contest

Maybe plan a senior leadership bonding event. Team building, leadership skills and fellowship?

band sucks. quit and go do drum corps.

That's an awful leadership system. One person needs to take charge of each group and his word is final. He can have input from others, but someone needs to be able to make a decision that gets things done. Vote on it. Move on.

You should discuss your concerns with your band director.

Well the director wants this type of leadership system ( I do agree it is pretty awful because the people who shouldn't lead are doing the most leading) and we tried voting but um last we voted on something it turned to crap because our head drum major's idea of voting and everyone closing their eyes and raising a hand and lettin her count and she plays favorites all the time and even talks about other seniors behind their backs. @cire I might just. @saxamattone And I would but he is so busy right now and stressed that there is time for me to really to to me and explain my concerns

@MrsRomo we tried to get all the seniors to do something like that yet it fell through. Partly because the sections have too many seniors half of my trombone section is seniors there are 14 trombone and 7 seniors which isn't really that bad since there are actually 20 9th graders moving to high school band next year. ( we March 10-12 not 9-12) it's like that in all the sections and a lot of the seniors are trying to be past seniors and yelling at the underclassmen instead of talking to them and helping they are just reprimanding them.

Well the director wants this type of leadership system ( I do agree it is pretty awful because the people who shouldn't lead are doing the most leading) and we tried voting but um last we voted on something it turned to crap because our head drum major's idea of voting and everyone closing their eyes and raising a hand and lettin her count and she plays favorites all the time and even talks about other seniors behind their backs. @cire I might just. @saxamattone And I would but he is so busy right now and stressed that there is time for me to really to to me and explain my concerns

Well the director wants this type of leadership system ( I do agree it is pretty awful because the people who shouldn't lead are doing the most leading) and we tried voting but um last we voted on something it turned to crap because our head drum major's idea of voting and everyone closing their eyes and raising a hand and lettin her count and she plays favorites all the time and even talks about other seniors behind their backs. @cire I might just. @saxamattone And I would but he is so busy right now and stressed that there is time for me to really to to me and explain my concerns

Well the director wants this type of leadership system ( I do agree it is pretty awful because the people who shouldn't lead are doing the most leading) and we tried voting but um last we voted on something it turned to crap because our head drum major's idea of voting and everyone closing their eyes and raising a hand and lettin her count and she plays favorites all the time and even talks about other seniors behind their backs. @cire I might just. @saxamattone And I would but he is so busy right now and stressed that there is time for me to really to to me and explain my concerns

Sorry for posting the same over and over again my ipad messed up and did this

Sounds like your director needs to grow a pair and put the foot down. I understand the stress he and you must be experiencing. A decision on this would relieve a lot of the tension. Not everyone will be happy, though he is the one who can correct this. Obviously, some of the seniors never really learned from past examples, as I'm sure this isn't the first year that there has been differences of opinion. No matter how busy he is, he needs to address this and it will take a senior or two with a bit of maturity to bring this to his attention. Maybe it will take a comp or two of the band falling on it's face for eyes and ears to open up. Your drum major should be the ultimate voice in leadership. Maybe find a group of seniors, one from each section, and confront the drum major, if this goes no where, take the group to your director. Best of luck....otherwise, just put up with your last year and have fun regardless. Drum corps is only around the corner.

Personally I would see about just having the seniors in each section vote for a section leader. That way you are getting that traditional leadership. And it makes everyone feel like they were involved.

Bring up voting again, but instead of hands which is an awful way of voting in my opinion do a blind ballot. The whole close your eyes for anonymity is stupid. people will always look and you know that people will always look so that skews the results. You want something where who ever is counting can be checked. Hense doing the blind ballot. Just have everyone write their vote and put it into a hat and then you can count the ballots to everyone.

As far as people yelling at underclassmen it really depends on why they are upset with them. A little context here would be helpful to be able to give some advice.

Jhawk, I like your advice. Takes the stress off the director. As long as everyone agrees to be bound by the results.

This is what happens when there are too many chiefs & not enough indians as the old saying goes ... The Director needs to put a stop to this group behaviour or the situation will not improve ... Good Luck & Play On !!!

you should step up as leader of all seniors and just say hey idc what your problem is with each other but this is a problem and you need to leave it at the door. it worked wonders for me when i student teached

From what I have read from his posts, I feel like that would end badly... But it could also save them idk lol. I feel like the power hungry ones would not take it well...

This High School Band sounds alot like the Empire Statesmen ... Just kidding Strad ... LOL !!!

lol to be honest though the director needs to mediate

^^I agree....needs to grow a pair...current system seems to be not working this year.