She said she wanted to be a part of the program, wanted to work hard, and help us excel. Said much the same things as your kid did, according to you.
When I didn't immediately make her what was basically my assistant director, her attitude turned south in a hurry. Junior year, she still wound up trying out for Region (made fifth chair, one short of Area) and doing a solo (went to TSSEC with it) but her Senior year she was more of a problem, attitude-wise, than her talent was worth. By her Senior year it was all I could do to keep her on task and participating - and attending class at all at times. Part of it was the fact that we were playing grade 1.5-2 music whereas she was used to playing 3 and 4 - so what we were doing was literal child's play to her - but she didn't want to do anything extra anymore, either.
You are in no way beholden to promises you didn't make. He/she may have been a "leader" in their former program - you have zero evidence of that. You have to deal with what and who is in front of you, and the kid hasn't proven anything to you yet - to say nothing of the kids that have been in your program together in some cases since sixth grade.
Let new kid impress their "peers" - if they think they're worth a darn, let them get elected Band President or Senior Rep next year. And if their attitude sucks? You were going to be just fine without them, let them quit. No one kid is more important than the entire band, even if they're a world-beating talent.
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