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Student in two bands

Posted by HSNV on 2/14/2023, 10:38 pm

I have a piece for my non varsity group that requires a piano/synthesizer. There is a percussionist in the varsity group that may be able to play it. I have already found that this is an acceptable second instrument, according to UIL. However, the problem arises with sightreading. All students who perform on stage must perform in sightreading. Clearly, this student can’t perform on a percussion instrument. Has anyone encountered this before?

My first thought is that this student plays piano for me, and there is no piano part for band sightreading, so perhaps the student just enters the room and does not perform. Wouldn’t this be the case if I just borrowed a student from outside band to play a piano part? Any help with this would be appreciated!

Re: Student in two bands

Posted by Not so dumb drummer on 2/15/2023, 2:39 pm, in reply to "Student in two bands"

I always have more percussionists than I need. Sometimes I might have my extras help count rests or something during the explanation, but they always just stand/sit against the back wall during the performance. I've done this in several regions and have never been questioned.

If you don't have all of the percussion parts covered, that might be a different story. You might be questioned why your "extra percussionist" is not playing the available part. In that case I would definitely email the region secretary for clarification/CYA.

Re: Student in two bands

Posted by older than dirt on 2/15/2023, 11:07 am, in reply to "Student in two bands"

with 14 percussionists, I will have some that will be looking over the should of performers in sight reading. I wouldn't stress this too much. If it is an issue let them read the triangle part...after the superbowl, everyone wants to play triangle...

Re: Student in two bands

Posted by yes on 2/15/2023, 9:35 am, in reply to "Student in two bands"

This sounds correct. However, get this confirmed via email from your region executive secretary.

Re: Student in two bands

Posted by Kramer on 2/15/2023, 8:56 am, in reply to "Student in two bands"

Talk to your region exec sec. The spirit of the rule is that you can't take your low performing kids to the bus to avoid them messing up your sight-reading. If they go into the room and there isn't a part for them to perform, they could "look on" with the percussion to be involved in the process, but wouldn't play an instrument. I've had percussionists do that because there were more people than parts.

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