For those of you that have read my drum line problems post before you may think that I am never satisfied. But I have a new and perplexing problem. In the past I had confrontational, stubborn uncooperative drummers who worked against every policy and practice I put into place. Low on numbers and not very strong skill set.

New twist. The 18 kids I have in my percussion section now are pretty talented, not confrontational. 6 of them take lesson from a private drum instructor. However not a leader in the bunch. Three Seniors who are ready to move on, 3 very quiet juniors, 1 unmotivated sophomore, and the rest freshmen. NOT a leader in the bunch. Trying to have concert band with them is kinda like herding cats. As a whole un-typically immature.

Is this a "just let them grow up" and I have to flow. OR is there a strategy that I can used to make them more cohesive. NONE of the experienced kids would help the weaker kids count rest, coach them along etc.

My view from the cheap seats

Well your seniors are out, if they don't want the job they will make more trouble than it's worth. If you haven't had a talk with them to see what the problem is, than I would start there. If not then juniors are next up, a kindly push out of the nest might be what they need? It's there line next year as seniors.

Or do like some on here say, " have no leadership " and take up the slack yourself? Your sophomore, you are going to have to find out what tweaks his knobs. Unmotivation could mean, not challenged enough? Or is struggling so much, they are to embarassed to let you know.

Try this, most are probably into dubstep, if so then have them find one to write into something they can make a Stand Jam out of. I have had some of my drummers hate concert band, so I gave them some easy writing for the line and it seemed to get them into the concert mode. Or shock dog collars?

For me I miss concert band and jazz band the most! Not all drummers are into Gadd or Cirone. They may be all SCV or Cadets. Most do not see the connection of Cirone to a marching drummer.

If you need help explaining that connection ask SCV 75, he studied under Cirone in college back in 1795, ha!

Good luck! Keep us up to date!

Hey, watch yourself buddy! It was 1792 by the way. And this is a great post to see that the instructor should use the talent he has and not expect his players to try to do his job.

Since you have the talent now you only need to have a stong player in each section for the others to lock into. Then a listening approach for you to have execution for the ensemble. All sections listen to the snare line for tempo. Then you are the one giving the tempo for the snare line. During the actual performance the snare line has to have it right.

In the concert band everyone should watch the conductor for the tempo and cues for parts. If rests are a problem hold a class for who needs it and explain it to them!

The connection of Cirone to marching drummers is SCV. Sanford in the 1970`s and Cassella most recent instructor/composer 2004. Ralph Hardimon studied with Charles Dowd a Cirone student and Percussion teacher at University of Oregon and also had taught with Sanford at SCV in 1978-1980. Dowd also had a drum set program where Cirone was strickly Orchestral.

On a group dynamic approach...

It might not hurt to have them do some outside team-building activities. This way it'll be easier to see the natural leaders. or activities that are just plain fun! I feel this helps me to recognize leadership and has the group coming together doing something else besides music. Thus making them closer friends and far easier to hold each other accountable. If they are squirrelly it helps to get alot of that energy out before you try and get them to be serious. I make sure I play the games with them that way they see me turn it off and get to work.

They are going to gel regardless...its up to us as teachers to help form the mold.

My personal approach would be to set off a bomb on the inside.

What I mean by that is motivate one to your side. I've been in situations where I had moments where I was all by myself trying to get through. Never really got help, and I was embarrassed to ask my director because everyone else seemed to work well enough on their own.

Wasn't a lot of good communication, if any at all. The only people who really excelled where those whom worked together. They tackled problems as a group, and got instruction when they couldn't figure it out. Eventually we all started catching on, and things worked out for the best. You just need one person to come over to your side! When they start making progress, talking and working together with the people in their section(s), and helping your case. You just need to show at least one person to "the light" and let that ripple carry on to the rest of them.

Or at least that would be my suggestion. Of course I know nothing of them on a personal level, so I wouldn't even know how to approach that to them. I hope maybe some of this could help you out man, best of luck!

We did survive the concert. Not as a result of the drummers coming together but rather the 7 percussionist that are VERY competent HS drum set players that helped keep it together on the 7 pop tunes we played.

Accessory percussion parts were inconsistent, BUT presentable.

Since concert we have reconstituted the class with marching percussion chops development. The focus of the class has improved with modest development of the less experienced students is appearing. Out of chaos--order.

This is still not what I want for our percussionist. I want well rounded percussionist. I want my drummers to be as comfortable with congas as they are tenors. I want them to be able to play snare and not to be lost if suddenly called to play a mallet part.

Am I expecting to much of a HS percussion class? or have I just not found the right combination of guidance, instruction, and motivation?

Bit of good news, Boosters did agree to fund our percussion instructor for two days a week this semester.

My view from the cheap seats

You could expect a college level percussionist after at least a year of study to be able to cover everything like you say but not High School. I would expect your junior and senior level students to have that ability but they would have to study privately as well. Specialists in certain areas would also do the job, some will have a better understanding of percussion instruments(Mallets,Timpani,Drum Set).

I like the direction and your students would be capable if you start them early in the freshman year on Percussion 101 and state what is expected of them in your program. Have a starter class that covers the basics even reading and counting rests along with the various techniques for playing say congas and tenor/quads. Rudimental/Marching snare then Orchestral snare drum. Accessories like Tambourine, Triangle, and have a style technique outlined. Of course Mallets, Timpani and Drum Set. These skills take time to develope, why I say could be expected of the Juniors and Seniors.

This is a advanced High School that could achieve this playing skill.

Well I intend to set high standards. I do know that different states have different expectations of percussionist for honor band auditions. However in our state, the district/state honor band requires a prepared snare,mallet, timpani, and tamb etude, AND sight reading on snare, timp, and mallet, AND 12 major scales AND chromatic scale.

We have decided just today that we will divide the three seniors into a snare trio, the 5 inexperienced percussionist on a grade 1 or 1 1/2 ensemble, and the 9 main percussionist into a more advanced group for solo & ensemble.

I think this will be a good fit and our percussion guy likes the set up.

My view from the cheap seats

Same thing in Alabama, good to see you have a plan. Good luck at all-state!

Have been working on 3 ensembles for S&E next saturday. I have been woring with the lower group on a level 1 1/2 ensemble that calls for snare, bass, triangle cymbal, tamb, and bells. the group can now play the ensemble with out any coaching or assistance on my part WITH dynamic contrast and everything! (smirk). They are actually festival ready in mine and my instructors opinion.

The large talented underclassmen group is learning the william tell overture with all major mallet instruments, snare bass, crash cymbals, woodblock, and tamb. On the parts they actually know, it is not bad. But because they spend so much time horsing around, the don't know the last 20 measures. S&E is Saturday.

The three seniors have been huddled over a practice pad on their trio and I have no idea how far along they are.

I do find it curious that it is my most inexperienced group with the help of their brass playing BD (me) is the only one actually ready for festival. Go Figure!

Thanks to everyone listening to my mumblings.

My view from the cheap seats