I am having an issue with my HS Concert Band. The winds of the are fine, but it is my percussion section. At the beginning, I had 10 percussionists. Naturally, I chose songs with a lot of percussion parts and parts that were appropriate for all 10 of them. Unfortunately, 4 of the have dropped out and they happen to be my best players. I have 6 students left; 3 players are decent and playing and reading and the other 3 cannot read music and cannot play confidently by themselves. These 3 are also not as dedicated and will not show up to after school sectionals.
We have 10 rehearsals left before we go to Concert and Sight Reading Contest. I can try moving everyones parts around, but I am afraid that they won't learn their new parts in time because these parts are going to be challenging for them.I could also leave everyone on their parts, but the "important" parts will be gone - like snare drum.
Here is some information to consider: We have 10 rehearsals left. I am the only director at my school. I have offered after school sections at anytime they would like, but again I don't not have a lot of participation. I cannot make it for a grade either. I am playing Darkland’s March, Japanese Pictures, and Serengeti Dreams; very percussion heavy.
Any advice would be great. Thank you for reading.
Re: Concert Band Help - Percussionists keep leaving
