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un official section leader

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:16 pm
by armastice
hey, im a trumpet for south hills and i have a problem

see, nobody in our section gives a crap about anything!
it seems as if im the driving force behind the section, and the only one that seems to be "into" band. the real section leaders are doing what their required of them but nothing more! i mean, dont get me wrong about them being horrible section leaders, but they only do what their asked and nothing more, like getting paperwork organized and holding individual sectionals, but the drive is not there.

i want to try and help out the section and give them a bit of encouragement and hope that they see that band is more then just an activity included in high school. but, im getting yelled at when i try to lead since im not a "section leader".

some people say that actions speak louder then words, and i DO act. im down doing push up's if i mess up (honor system) im all over my music and im an excellent marcher. and my leadership is good in wottens eyes, but he's not in the trumpet section. i need to find a way to show the section that im serious about what i say and not taking me as some joke.

whats up with that? should i shut up? or should i speak up?

Re: un official section leader

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:17 pm
by Ryan H. Turner
armastice wrote: but, im getting yelled at when i try to lead since im not a "section leader".
I love tackling thorny issues like this because sometimes all it takes are some magic words to bring perspective to a situation that has you all flummoxed. I quoted about the MOST important thing you said in your whole post...and the crux of your entire problem. You're not in charge.

And I know how mind numbingly irritating that can be. Trust me. Been there, done that. As a matter of fact, because of MY own issues with this subject of NOT being in charge, I won the Band Big Mouth, Turkey Freshman, and Cry Baby awards in my freshman year. Had I had a leadership person to guide me a little more, I would have understood how important I COULD have been to my organization. Instead, I had tons of energy and immaturity that got in the way and so I was, in classic Ryan H. mode, bouncing off the walls.

So your challenge is what do you do when you're NOT in charge?

You have a good head on your shoulders by realizing that actions DO speak louder than words. You would be amazed if you knew how much leadership a person can have by simply BEING, and not necessarily having to SAY anything (or in the marching band model, YELL anything). So take that to heart. BE someone who gets the job done REGARDLESS of who is doing anything around you differently. Does Mr. Wooten require you to run back to your sets during rehearsal? Do it. Do you have to stand at attention during your warm ups? Do it. Do you have to stretch out or run laps before a rehearsal? Do it. Do you see a piece of trash on the floor in the band room that 142 other people have walked over, around, or on, and you know it should be picked up because Mr. Wooten likes a clean band room? Do it.

Leadership has NOTHING to do with telling people what to do. Leadership has EVERYTHING to do with SHOWING people what to do, and how to do it. And you don't have to be a section leader to be a leader. And you don't have to ask Mr. Wooten once a week if you're doing a good job. You know what has to be done to be a great South Hills band member.

So do it.

Stop worrying about anyone else. Even the leaders. Just do YOUR job. And do it better than you did it the day before. You'll be far happier, and without offending you, I'm thinking that your friends and fellow members will be happier too. :wink:

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:25 am
by Tobias087
In my expierence, I've found that there's one more very important aspect of setting a good example, and that is getting other expierenced people to set a good example also. Though people will learn from what you do, they'll learn much much faster from what you and 10 of your friends are doing too.

I've also found that active confrontation tends to work more often than you'd think. If you say to other members of the section, "hey guys, we're pulling along, and that's ok, but we really need to take it to the next level, and its really important that everybody set a good example" then, unless they're only in band for the p.e. credit, they'll probably go along with you. This also works for troublesome section leaders. Have a discussion with them about how they can work with your section to bring the enthusiasm and the energy. Chances are, they want to do a good job as well.

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:01 pm
by guardfreaakxd
oh dang. i'm having a similar problem with the backfield flags (non weapons). we have major cleaning to do, but they just won't listen to anybody, including our instructors. and it's been extremely frustrating.
so, thanks for this post. i think it'll help!

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:44 am
by armastice
theres another problem now o.o
one that i dont have, but it seems to be in our band....

REPUTATION:
you ever see people in band that seem to have a sense of control? i mean, with me if i yell at someone they wont listen, but the next guy can yell at someone for the same thing and they'll listen to them.

so heres my idea:
if i can "push peoples buttons" the right way. then i can get what i want right? if i develop a good relationship with everyone in band, the percentage of people that listen to me will raise. so even if i wasn't a good marcher, i'd still have people listen to me just because they like me.
so i wouldn't even have to work hard at music or whatever and i'd still become a figure in the band and have people listen to me.
it sounds unorthodoxed but, it does seem like its a good way to get people to listen to you.

advise please.

kanye west-stronger

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:41 pm
by guardfreaakxd
i think that's called R-E-S-P-E-C-T
and if you earn it right, you can ask people to do the chicken dance and they'll take you seriously. it won't be easy, but good luck!
by the way, i like your show this year.

Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:22 am
by Tobias087
i would also add:

1. make sure the message is being delivered confidently: if you don't expect people to follow you, they wont. and
2. talk to the older members about it, because if you talk to them behind the scenes, so that they start moving, then other people will start moving. example is everything.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:04 pm
by RBVT--BONE
The real question is: How do you lead by example, yet hold people accountable for the commitment they have made by joining band: giving 100+%?

whoa

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:31 am
by metalcorps
whoa! i have that same problem. I'm a senior lead trumpet and our section leader isn't around during 1st period, which is our band period. I'm next in line and no one in my section listens to me and even our drum major has told me that in absence of our section leader, I am section leader. I just wanna know if there's any way I can show them i've been given some authority.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:18 pm
by DmTy
In response to the poster above:
If your DM gave you the nod to become section leader when your main is absent make sure he/she tells your section that. If someone of that authority is giving you permission your section should know and respect/honor the DM's decision.
Also when your section leader is gone try not to overstep your boundaries and just do what needs to be done. That should do it =P

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:55 pm
by STEVIE805
I think the best thing you could do is to simply lead by example. Always strive to do your best and make it obvious without seeming arrogant. Show the others what they should be doing. Most importantly, show them that you are having fun, because if they see that you are having a good time while you are doing the right thing, then they will all try it out. Once they see how satisfying it can be to achieve something with a little work, they will love putting in the effort.

When it comes to your section "leaders", whatever you do, under no circumstances should you call out your leaders in front of the section. This will not make them like you more. All it will do is make your leaders seem incompetent, and then the section will not follow anybody's instructions except for staff, and trust me, that will not put you on the staff's "good side." I am not saying to let your section leaders get away with it, just to talk to them alone, not around the rest of your section.

Hope this helps!

Re: un official section leader

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:50 pm
by marcusstone
I am not section leader of the five member tenor brass line, but our lead tuba is. However, I have to deal with the same assumed responsibilities. It's fun.

Re: un official section leader

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:11 pm
by TITANTRUMPET3
I'm currently the trumpet section leader at Colony High School, and same as Ryan H.- I've "been there done that." In my earlier years of marching band, I felt as if the actual section leader wasn't an ideal leader in the sense that he did not lead by example. I use to try and TELL everyone to run back to their sets, or play the right music, or count! I knew I annoyed people by doing it but I sometimes felt it necessary to do it.
Having been chosen as a section leader this year, I see why it would be hard to lead by example.:

#1. IT'S HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND:
I KNOW YOU WANT EVERYONE TO WANT TO BE THERE AND MARCH AS WELL AS YOU DO.... but sad thing is, not everyone has the same approach as you towards marching band.

#2. THE TITLE OF "SECTION LEADER" DOESN'T GAIN YOU RESPECT:
Through leading by example, I know that trough time, the people who you are leading start to respect you and start following your lead.

#3. IT'S NOT ABOUT TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO:
There is a GREAT difference between a LEADER and a BOSS!

With that.
Try your best to keep up your excellence, but it is not your job to "lead". Stick to your job. In doing so, you will feel less frustration when it comes to your other trumpet playing peers, and you will be more FOCUSED on what your job is!

We all have a roll in our bands! Be happy that you keep up with yours :)

Re: un official section leader

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:49 pm
by AznAlexT
TITANTRUMPET3 wrote:
#1. IT'S HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND:
I KNOW YOU WANT EVERYONE TO WANT TO BE THERE AND MARCH AS WELL AS YOU DO.... but sad thing is, not everyone has the same approach as you towards marching band.

#2. THE TITLE OF "SECTION LEADER" DOESN'T GAIN YOU RESPECT:
Through leading by example, I know that trough time, the people who you are leading start to respect you and start following your lead.

#3. IT'S NOT ABOUT TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO:
There is a GREAT difference between a LEADER and a BOSS!
i have to agree with TITANTRUMPET3. i am the flute section leader for damien high school, and those three statements are without doubt very true.

Re: un official section leader

Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:13 pm
by TITANTRUMPET3
:)