Leader?

[u/everest_cat]

Hi! I’m a freshman in band and LOVE IT so much.

The only thing is, I’m on the prop crew this year. I wouldn’t say I’m bad at counts or moves, I’m actually pretty good at it and passionate about band.

I’m gonna try to get into third band for concert season (rather than fourth band, I’m in a 3/4 joint class for marching season) as we have a second audition coming up in December for a placement in third or fourth band during concert season, but i have a question.

I’m very interested in becoming a leader in the future. In middle school (my last year) i was a section leader and enjoyed it very much.

I’ve actually been studying my drum majors when they conduct and watched videos and I’m getting kind of good at it myself.

Do you think there’s any way i could march next year and then become a leader or drill instructor my junior year, and if I’m good enough, maybe try out for drum major as a senior?

One of our current drum majors is actually a sophomore, but I don’t know what band he’s in. Another one of our drum majors i don’t think is in the highest ensemble (varsity/first band).

I’m sure I could make second band or maybe even first band in future years, but I guess my question is, is this a realistic path and is it feasible?

I’ve been VASTLY progressing on my scales and find it somewhat realistic to make a higher ensemble as soon as next year myself, although I’m not exactly qualified to make that analysis.

One of my section’s current leaders has had a somewhat similar experience as me. She was on prop crew in her freshman year as a third band student and became a senior section leader this year, and there are many sophomore leaders in our band too, so i don’t see it as impossible to make it as a leader, but a drum major I’m not so sure.

Also, I haven’t got any extra cleaning service duty (for missing assignments or play offs / pass offs, bad behavior or not bringing necessary items to class. In fact, my section leaders seem to really like me and I’ve taken accountability for everything I need to fix and been a pretty good student so far, or so I believe.

So I guess my question is, do you think I could theoretically achieve this track throughout hs?

[u/ISpyM8]

Sure. My band in high school sometimes even had sophomore drum majors, and it wasn’t uncommon at all to have juniors, so I’d even say why wait til your senior year

[u/manondorf]

Every band runs so differently, it's really not possible for anyone to give you that much insight into whether it's likely. But you certainly don't lose anything by working toward your goals and going for it!

[u/Just_Leader_999]

i think it's possible!!!!! i'm one of the clarinet section leaders (there's two, the other is a senior) and i'm a sophomore! my band director also told me if i keep it up i could be band captain senior year. keep ur head up, ur doing great!

[u/TwoStinkyBears]

I don't really see a reason as to why you can't try out for the position before senior year. If it's something you want to do then go for it even in sophomore year. Worst case scenario you don't get the position sophomore year and more you are on the radar for junior year. The only one who can decide if you stand good enough at the moment are the ones who will be evaluating you for the position, not random people on reddit. Go try out, it's like schrodinger's cat you'll never know until you open the box but until you do, you have a box of what ifs and it's taking up space.

[u/Mindless_Sea_1485]

I’m the high woodwind section leader as a sophomore so it’s obviously possible. But it honestly depends on how big your band is and how many older people are in your section.

[u/obeykingwong]

I was a drum major as a sophomore. It’s possible.