I'm going to be one of my school's percussion co-captains next year. My school has never had a particularly strong front ensemble. In the few years that we actually got enough people to field one, the members were not many, nor were they very interested in playing mallets/percussion. But our battery will have enough people next year so that we'll be able to put all of the incoming freshmen in the pit (possibly except 1).

The problem is that those incoming freshmen probably don't even know what the front ensemble is, and are looking forward to playing in the battery. I'm afraid they'll quit marching band if they find out that they have to be in the pit.

How do I convince them that being in the pit isn't lame?

Thanks guys!

By they way, I realize that there isn't really an actual answer to the question I posted above. I guess I should have worded it better.

I meant to ask if there were any tips or things I could show them to get them interested in pit stuff.

If that makes sense. haha

To me, the front ensemble is where a lot of the true music making in marching band happens. If written well, the textures it adds to the ensemble is incredible. For instance, check out the video of Phantom from 2010 in the lot at San Antonio. I realize that most high school front ensembles are no where near that caliber, but they still have a major impact on the ensemble. I know that when I was in high school and college, the pit helped me to keep me to further develop as a percussionist. I actually rotated between pit and drum line because they both have their benefits and are fun in different ways. Show them some videos such as the Phantom one mentioned. Most do not want to join pit, but from what I have seen, most really enjoy it once they give it a chance and some even decide to stay there.

There are plenty of great vids out there that show some REALLY cool things being done in the front ensemble.

Just a few from the Vic Firth web site:

• Vic Firth Spotlight: Carolina Crown. Clip #3 from 2010. Watch the whole thing. It's all cool, but the timpanist playing Fur Elise is somethin' else. (Pay close attention to all the pedaling he has to do on the fly!)
• Vic Firth Spotlight: Blue Stars. August 13, 2010 front ensemble clip.
• Vic Firth Spotlight: Blue Knights. August 5, 2010 front ensemble clip.

Don't forget WGI videos too. MCM pit can really inspire some kids.

I can say that if you force all of the freshman into the pit simply because they are freshman, you're only going to enforce the belief that the pit is a dumping ground or is undesirable. Why not give every student a chance to audition for and make a spot on whatever instrument they would like to play. Also, have everyone audition for Front Ensemble. Then, decide where every student fits within your ensemble to make the entire percussion the best it can be. The last thing you want to do is put all of your weakest players in the pit. Any competent judge will key in on the extreme difference between your battery and front ensemble in a heartbeat. I suggest mixing the talent between both ensembles.

Amen. I agree 100%. I'm so tired of people putting the front ensemble on the back burner. If you don't want the freshmen to see the pit as something they don't want to be in, perhaps your should adjust the way you see it too.

That's good advice and I'll surely consider it. I just want to clarify that they wouldn't be going into the pit just because they are freshmen, but because our band director won't let our battery get much bigger than it already is.

I appreciate everyones' responses! Thanks guys.