This is year 27 for me also, and while I teach middle school, I know exactly what you are talking about. On paper, I should have a killer varsity and non-varsity group. Instrumentation is balanced and there were no weak players returning from last year. But, we are struggling to prepare our fall concert music. They don't show up for region band sectionals, and complain even when we work on the fun pep rally music they picked out. I don't think this is an off year. I think this is the beginning of many off years. My beginners are like the upper bands. They don't want to put in any effort either. The coaches have complained about it as well. This generation of kid (gen-z and gen-alpha) lacks drive. They lack effort. They lack direction and purpose. They want things done for them and don't see future as previous generations. as a typical gen-xer it drives me crazy. But, I find comfort in the thought that I will reach "80" next October and have the option to let someone else deal with it.