From the Mailbag: Section Seatings/Community Groups

When I think of summer part of what I think about is playing summer band concerts in the park. That thought reminded me of a recent question from the mailbag. There were some specifics to the question but in short it had to do with playing down in a section in a community group where the players above you are not as good.

This is a topic that in reality comes up a lot and not just in community groups, it can come up at any level. As what it gets at are the interpersonal dynamics of an ensemble, especially in regard to “seniority” either perceived or real. It can be a bit hard to negotiate.

Again, you can see this in ensembles of any level but the clearest examples come to mind for me in amateur groups that I have played in. One particular group that I played in somewhat regularly more than twenty years ago the first horn had been playing first horn since probably the late 1940s. It was her chair. She had I am sure a very good ear but in terms of horn was past her prime. I played down in the section and just did my part well and let it go by me. Eventually in that time frame she moved down to third and I moved to first when I was there. I don’t know if it was something she was asked to do or if she decided on her own. I think though if I had gone in and done crazy captain warm-up stuff at every rehearsal and been a blaster she might not have moved down so smoothly.

In any event this is one of those topics that will remain a topic as long as we have ensembles, one to negotiate very carefully. Good luck to all who find themselves in this circumstance.