well first off, we did a winter drumline to set us up for the upcoming season. my freshman year of marching band all the pit people had graduated or filled spots that were needed on the line so we had 6 brand new front ensemble players and not alot of talent collectively. so when winter line came up i was trying out for bassline. he saw my drive in concert band and my skills. he asked if i would be able to do a bigger position and more instruments(rack). he said he hadn't seen somebody just want to play a suspended cymbal that way. and ever since then i was on rack teaching people how to play mallets, being the leader, organizing the trailer, fixing the lines drums, and having fun. to me its more about the fun you have. it also didnt hurt that every year besides one i had broken bones or crutches at some point during the season. and on top of that i used my own instruments since the school couldnt afford them. being in the front ensemble also gave me more freedom with the music to express my views on it and to change it around instead of having to teach other people the same thing

I started doing mallets because of one reason. No one did it. I wanted something original, and to just impress the girl I liked who played Alto Sax at the time. Three years in middle school had definetly taught me a lot. I began to love to play, and I became open about playing it for one reason; I thought it was impressive. I even got a solo my first year ;D

After Middle school, Marching band season was definetly great, until i realized, NO OTHER MALES PLAY. Freshmen marching band season for me was definetly a hectic one. Though, I stilled loved the Instrument I played. Sophmore year came, and I was honestly finished. I became more engrossed in snare drum. Snare was a hit for me, but i chose the wrong route; trying out for Tenor(I lost to three other upper classmen, and slowly realized i should have tried out for snare). Afterwards, I endured another year of Mallet percussion, and once again, I wasn't the most popular with the upper classman. There was a shining light though; I earned Timpani for concert band, Mallet Principle for concert bands, AND Aux. Percussion for Lab and Jazz band.

That leading up till now, I have not entirely let go of Mallet Percussion. I will be switching away from Mallets and going on to tenor drum, Hopefully making section leader this year(lets hope!). Although I love Tenor, I feel like I'm going to be letting the Xylophone go and moving on. I will still be principle and managing their parts, but I will be making a large transition.

Mallet Percussion went from Fun, to Terrible, and then to where i was proud. I went to county band this year, outranking the other upperclass mallet players, and earned my title and one of the best student mallet percusionist in the county.

I don't think i really answered your question, but instead i babbled. But The basis of me talking is, I joined because it was different, Then hated it for no other guys playing it, but then to being proud i did it(as i mentioned in my upper paragraph)

thats it :P