I'm a talented (not bragging) musician but got placed in a lower band?

Question

Okay so let me clarify that I am not bragging....if you knew me you'd know I feel very funny about admiting what I am good at. Anyway, I am going to be a freshman in high school and there is a symphonic band and a wind ensemble. The director said it is mostly made up of upperclassman and people who take or have taken private lessons and have made many honor bands, partcularly all-state. Well, I got put in the symphonic band. I made 1st chair euphonium in 7th & 8th grade All-county in 7th grade, and 3rd chair at all-district. In 8th grade I made 1st chair euphonium at both county and district, AND 3rd chair euphonium at all-state. I also attended a high school summer music camp at a university placing 2nd chair euphonium and playing challenging music. I have also been taking private lessons since 8th grade. Is there a reason I didn't get put in the wind ensemble. One of my friends, (and I don't mean to be rude AT ALL) plays trumpet and made the top band, and she only attended county in 8th grade making second to last chair. Also, they are all pretty much 10th graders I think (well the 10 graders have 1st part for sure) except for a junior euphonium player who is just beginning...probably 5-7 altogether, and 2 freshman euphonium players are coming in, including me. All I know is 2 are taking private lessons, and one of those is a junior who started band this year. The best trumpet player is drum major, and the 2 top ones left last year as seniors, and there are quite a few of freshman trumpet players (like 5) and the band only has like 3-4 upperclassman trumpets not including drum major who happens to be VERY amazing on trumpet. Could this be why I was placed in symphonic band and my friend in wind ensemble....to balence the bands evenly, or what? Am I being selfish? Please help....thanks....I am freaking out, as usual.

Answer 1

It definitely sounds frustrating.  I think it is mostly a balance thing.  You generally need quite a few trumpets, clarinets, flutes and trombones.  Some instruments don't need a lot of players, like saxophone, oboe, bassoon,  and french horn.

The director's indication of why he/she puts some freshmen in the higher bands is a guideline he/she uses.  Unfortunately, you can't have all the good ones in the best group (which kind of sucks for you).  Euphonium players are valuable players.  They have a lot of solo parts, they can cover the trombone part in a pinch, and they help fill out the tuba section.

I'd look at it as an opportunity to really shine and show everyone how good you really are.  I have been in groups like this before.  Sometimes they'll have some of the "regular band" people fill in to add depth to the section in the more elite bands.  They also don't put all the "crummy" players in the lowest band.  Sometimes they mix it up so there is a certain high quality in each group.

Keep up with your lessons.  Your teacher can keep you challenged.  You can still learn very good ensemble skills in the regular band.  Good euphonium players can generally get pretty good scholarships.  Music scholarships are the easiest to maintain.

Don't freak out.  You're not being selfish, you're just reacting normally.  Just hang in there.

Answer 2

Why don't you ask the band director why you were placed in the lower band?  We don't know how you sound like or how the other instrumentalists sound like either.  

From my experience, you audition and then they place you.  

If you want a better place the only thing you can do is practice, improve and show them that you deserve the 1st chair.  You need to talk to your band director and figure out what he/she wants from you and what areas you need to improve upon.

Answer 3

Al you have to do is work your way up and show them what you can do

Answer 4

he needs a strong player in the lower orch.

Answer 5

I think half of your problem is thinking you deserve something. I'm ure you're very good, but it's not enough to people who hardly know you. most high school programs I've encountered are all about seniority. not so much about talent, all about putting in those hours.

understand that maybe this band functions differently than what you're used to, and decide from there if this is the place for you.

just put in your time. it seems like actions speak louder than recommendations.

Answer 6

It could be one of many reasons. To get what you want may need for you to be aggressive when you talk to who is in charge. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I don't think your being selfish first off. I'm also in band and I would be pretty upset too if I didn't get in the band I deserve. You could be right in that they are trying to balance out the bands so they put you in the lower band to make everything sound good. I don't know if this is how your band decides but in my band we have to audition and then they decide only based on our audition what band we're in. In our band they don't care what chair you were in the past or what great things you have done musically, they only care about how you played in your audition. So if you maybe messed up a part (not that I'm saying you did) that would have effected what band you're in. This happened to my friend she's an excellent flute player and she didn't get the chair she deserved. It happens, I wouldn't worry about it. You're only a freshmen, you have three more years to get wind ensemble. If you're really concerned then talk to your band director and ask them what you can do to get wind ensemble. Don't freak out it will be fine.