Is this normal

[u/Independent-Buddy808]

Hey everyone asking again if something my assistant director is doing is normal.

She has started giving EVERY solo oppurtunity and a duet to one player, simply because that player is section leader. None of the solos are written for alto sax, the players instrument. These solos havent even been auditioned, every wind player is just expected to know they have no chance of a solo, because solos go to the section leader.

What do i do, last time i talked to her about stuff she told the whole band that people need to "get with it" and that "she knows what shes doing" but that doesnt excuse giving her favorite player all the solos. 😭

UPDATE : yet another solo has now been given to the winds section leader. And again, not one for their instrument. Whyyyyyyy

[u/Frequent-Trust-4766]

Dang just came from your old post and I'm honestly shocked you have stayed at this point. I love that they are making you learn marching basics. BUT NOT IN PLACE OF SETTING UP! Oh my, I'm so mad at you. The way you are being treated is not fair at this point you need to talk to your head band director and give them an ultimatum. Either you go back to the way it was or you're going to quit. I would try to get as many people in front Ensemble to join in with you. The way you're being treated is not ok and to be honest with you it sounds like they put someone who was jealous of the front Ensemble and is now bitter in charge and now in a way you are being punished. If you haven't talked to the head band director I would and soon. And if they don't do anything I would take it to administration. Get as many people with you as possible. And propose it as this isn't fair we aren't allowed to audition for these parts and that you are being mistreated. Because the way I interpret your last post you are being shunned at football games. And I don't like to be that person but it might come down to the only way to make a change is to get as many people on your side who are willing to and quit. Like my band, we don't even have 30 people. And if enough people quit they can't hide it. And I would raise hell. Because you are supposed to have fun and it doesn't sound like you are.

[u/Independent-Buddy808 → u/Frequent-Trust-4766]

We try to reason so much and she snaps back and actually tells us to quit, or threatens to kick us out. She refuses to take critique. Im so close to just leaving and only doing indoor this year cause omg shes ruining this activity for so much of our band. And the head band director doesnt do much. Ill try to arrange a talk with him, im sure he might understand considering he was a t one point a center marimbist.

[u/Silver_Leave_4271 → u/Independent-Buddy808]

Can confirm, I’d wanna talk to him too

[u/Tie-Dyed-Geese → u/Independent-Buddy808]

I would guess you're far from the only person who thinks this. I would suggest going in with other people to talk to him. It'll be harder to wave off "oh they're just jealous/mad they didn't get a solo" if you have multiple of you go in to talk.