glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
This is for band 
s. I played trumpet up until high school and my boys have all given band instruments a go as well. One a trumpet, one a sax, and my youngest is now playing the (french) horn. Don't ever call it a french horn in front of him. 
It is not the proper name. He also plays the marching band equivalent- the mellophone- in the marching band.
Horn boy is currently a sophomore and playing in the 9th and 10th grade band. Yes, there is an 11th and 12th grade band. And both are big, fully manned bands lead by the same woman. (she directs the marching band as well) Auditions for "chairs" don't begin until 11th grade, so at this level it appears that the band teacher/director simply puts people where she wants within the sections. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions. My son currently plays in the 3rd position- has been for year and a half now- and has asked to change things up. He would like a spot in the 1st or 2nd position for the challenge.
I told him that he needed to advocate for himself if that is what he wanted, and he did. After his initial request was met with "I'll look into it after such and such..." he got back to her then, and was put off again. Rinse-repeat. Last week he finally got her to stand still long enough to press her for a response. She told him she would prefer he stay where he is. No reason. Just "preferred" it.
My son >
I'm no helicopter parent type. However, seeing as how I feel it is incumbent upon teachers to listen and hear their students when they put forth the effort to communicate, I decided to drop her a line via email. I simply asked what the procedure was for doling out parts and what her thoughts might be for a student looking for a change/challenge.
Given the above- is what my son asking unreasonable? Or is Mrs Band Leader not really... leading?
TIA
s. I played trumpet up until high school and my boys have all given band instruments a go as well. One a trumpet, one a sax, and my youngest is now playing the (french) horn. Don't ever call it a french horn in front of him. It is not the proper name. He also plays the marching band equivalent- the mellophone- in the marching band.Horn boy is currently a sophomore and playing in the 9th and 10th grade band. Yes, there is an 11th and 12th grade band. And both are big, fully manned bands lead by the same woman. (she directs the marching band as well) Auditions for "chairs" don't begin until 11th grade, so at this level it appears that the band teacher/director simply puts people where she wants within the sections. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions. My son currently plays in the 3rd position- has been for year and a half now- and has asked to change things up. He would like a spot in the 1st or 2nd position for the challenge.
I told him that he needed to advocate for himself if that is what he wanted, and he did. After his initial request was met with "I'll look into it after such and such..." he got back to her then, and was put off again. Rinse-repeat. Last week he finally got her to stand still long enough to press her for a response. She told him she would prefer he stay where he is. No reason. Just "preferred" it.
My son >
I'm no helicopter parent type. However, seeing as how I feel it is incumbent upon teachers to listen and hear their students when they put forth the effort to communicate, I decided to drop her a line via email. I simply asked what the procedure was for doling out parts and what her thoughts might be for a student looking for a change/challenge.
Given the above- is what my son asking unreasonable? Or is Mrs Band Leader not really... leading?
TIA
