I am a freshman in high school. I play in a symphonic ensemble and am in the best class in my grade. I play alto sax and have literally only played for one other year, and was unexpectedly put in this class for this year. That means that I will be the highest step all throughout high school. I play in a regular concert band, and that’s it. I’m no where near as good as anyone else in my section and am highly musically uneducated opposed to the rest of my band. I highly struggle in class and always feel pressure on my back. I regret signing up, I don’t know if and how easy it is to quit either. I’d like to talk to the director and then the office or counselor for a schedule change. I’m thinking I can quit after this first semester after I take finals at the very end (and will probably fail) and after my chair tests and solos (that I will also fail). The class was a million times more than what I expected out of a freshman concert band, and I definitely don’t want to go through this, it has already hurt my brain and my education. I do not have time outside to balance practice and school work, and trust me, hauling a huge instrument on the bus everyday is no where near fun. I need time and focus in high school and will not be able to make it through this year with other classes to worry about with band in the middle. I know nothing about how easy it will be to quit, but I’m hoping after this semester that I can just take another’s arts class like 2d, something I’m good at and enjoy and will get the same easy credit. I also start PE, so I’ll be able to squeeze that in. Now the part I fear is how the band and director, my parents and friends will react. I know I want it over, but others have some expectations and I don’t want to ruin that. I’ve already had one concert and have one coming up, and I don’t want that to turn into a bum. We’ve already paid hundreds of dollars to the school a few months in, and I have received a tuxedo even. All this makes me feel obligated, and leaves me magnetized in the middle. No matter what anyone says, I know I want out and want to quit already, but I know it can definitely be a chain reaction as well. So should I talk after class some day and ask about quiting after the semester, and get a schedule change, and put it all behind, or what will I need to do without making it hard? I don’t care if it will make the others feel bad or whatever, I know I need to quit if I want to make this year through. I don’t know if he’ll let me though. I need help, I want to know how easy it will be and if it’s even possible, and what it can do for me. Thank you
Wall of text is a little hard to follow – but go see your guidance counselor and tell them you want to quit at the semester break, and ask for their help to adjust your class schedule. You might want to tell your parents (who probably bought you the sax).
We are renting a saxophone from a music company and pay monthly so it won’t be too hard to cancel those payments. The thing is, I know my band teacher will make me feel guilty and I’ll be highly pressured if I say anything. I just want to quit though, but I know it will be hard for me. But does anybody know if you can quit a class like band halfway through the year? I just hope it will be easy and painless.
Agree, the first step is to talk to your guidance counselor.
Tell your parents then hightail it over to your counselor’s office and see what your options are to change. Just explain to your director that band (especially at this high level) is really too much. Don’t let anyone guilt you into staying. You’ll be miserable.
I see no reason you can’t quit halfway through the year. Is it too late to make an immediate switch?
Talk to the band director and guidance counselor. Just because you think the band director will pressure you doesn’t mean he will. You might be surprised - he’s a human being, with feelings too! Be honest with him, and let him know how much you’re struggling. He doesn’t want you to suffer, and more than you do. Students get put in the wrong level class all the time, and it sounds like that’s what happened to you, if there are multiple levels of bands. Maybe you can be switched, but if not, the band director may be able to take than into consideration, and grade you accordingly.
I really don’t know the standards for the class switches, but most kids get a new class for the second semester, like I’m taking health and wellness and will be switching to PE for next semester. I think it makes sense that I’ll just quit band after this semester, it isn’t treated any different from any other fine arts class really, so If I want to keep a full year credit for fine arts, i can just move to 2d art or anything like that. I just want to know if anyone is sure it works that way. After I’m positive, I’ll set an appointment with my counselor and approve everything from there. Thanks for responding guys
Is band just a 1/2 year class? If it is a full year class and you leave half way through ask if you actually get a 1/2 credit since you didn’t finish the class.
You honestly don’t have to talk to the director. I’m going to guess you are something like a 3rd section player. Just talk to your GC. The director will find out eventually. But if you go to them first, they are just going to pressure you to stay. For a ninth grader with a rented instrument who knows they want to quit, I say just do it.
As a parent, i see how band is a great way to meet people…and a way to have a structured EC. so I would encourage you to make it work.
What I would do is talk to your band director about your issues.
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The level of ensemble. Did this have to do with auditions or was it that it fit in your schedule? Tell him/her that you are not sure this is the right level for you and you feel the pressure is so much that you may want to stop doing band because of it.
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Hauling instrument; Are there any extra instruments you can practice with at home so you don’t have to haul it? Ask your director.
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But really, just talk to your director. They want people in the band. They may be able to figure something out.
or not. But talk to them about your issues.
“As a parent, i see how band is a great way to meet people…and a way to have a structured EC. so I would encourage you to make it work.”
LOL–50 years later and here I am to say I HATED band and my parents thought it was great. I did meet some great people and many I could have done without. I learned a lot about music (a big plus) but could have done that through many better avenues that would have been better for me. My time would have been MUCH better spent exploring something I actually enjoyed.
On the other hand, by daughter joined color guard and had tons of fun and made some very good friends.
All I am saying is this is a life lesson…you are in a situation that you don’t like. Instead of quitting immediately, talk to the person (your director, or in other cases your boss) and see if they can address what you don’t like. Maybe they can, maybe they can’t, but give them a chance.