<p>So I'm going into my junior year and am struggling with a dilemma. I really want to quit marching band so much. I really liked it my freshman year, but I hated it my sophomore year and haven't enjoyed this season so far. I don't want to rant too much but my director is awful and unprofessional and treats all of us terribly, and the staff isn't much better.
You may be asking me why I don't just quit, and the answer is that it's hard to quit. I'm afraid that it'll reflect poorly on me in college apps, I have tons of friends in band, and I don't know what I'll do to replace this time-consuming activity. I'll still do concert band, but my director will treat me poorly, like he does to everyone that quits marching band. I'm also really scared that I'll be overwhelmed this fall with 3 AP classes and marching band (I'll be section leader in it).
I'll just provide some other info about me if it's helpful:
I'm active in band and have made region-wide and state-wide honor ensembles, I'll be in the English and Spanish Honor Societies, I'm going to hold a part-time job, and I teach Sunday school to elementary schoolers at my church.
Sorry that this got kind of long.... It's just something that I've been thinking about a lot and is a big deal to me. Marching band has just made me hate band altogether.... :(
Thanks for your help</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>If you’re not enjoying it, then quit. Sounds like you have a pretty solid list of ECs.</p>
<p>Hmm… can you join, say, an independent band or orchestra? Something similar-ish happened to me. I couldn’t sign up for an orchestra class as a freshman, so I joined a regional youth orchestra, which has worked out for me so far. I think you can still try out for all-county or all-state band without actually being in your school’s band class…(I think?)</p>
<p>Your EC’s seem pretty strong already. Pick up something new, such as academic team, or whatever it is that you can find interesting; take a step out of your comfort zone, if you are willing to do so. </p>
<p>Quit band; If you hate it, don’t do it! It will help you out with your AP’s as well. Also, you shouldn’t be doing things JUST for college apps, especially in a situation like this. There must be a balance where you must listen to your own needs and wants over those of colleges. </p>
<p>If it will make you miserable, quit. It’s not worth dedicating so much time and energy to if you’re going to hate every minute. However, is your director the only reason you’re unhappy with it? I had a TERRIBLE director in marching band for my junior and senior years. For the most part, I just tuned her out and focused on all the aspects of marching that I loved, and I’m glad I stuck with it even with my crazy director</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice so far. And @jazzcatastrophe‌, the director/staff and the way things are poorly run and managed makes me dislike it. We’re treated horribly and it’s not a great environment. I don’t want to quit but my passion for band is draining because of this situation. I’m just concerned that I won’t be able to find an activity I can dedicate as much time to, and I’ll also be giving up my status as section leader if I quit (my peer will be able to fill the role though, so I’m not leaving my section without a leader).
And @AtharvaLarva‌, I’ll look into ensembles like you suggested.
Again, thanks for the responses. I’m just scared to quit and don’t know what the right choice is :-S </p>
<p>@TotallyTrudy‌ If it’s like that, talk your counselor about it. If your counselor is no help then talk to the principal about it. If it still don’t work, try to see if you can transfer to a different highschool and work your way up. It’s better then having to worry about something stupid. Anyway, if you’re going to do this, my tip to you is, “The more you think about it, the more you will not do it.” </p>
<p>But it’s pretty much up to you, if it were me, I would stay and try to talk to my counselor about my problem and see if they can help. If they don’t help much, then I guess I’ll stay until I can’t stand it anymore.</p>
<p>Thanks @XxSkizzyxX‌ . This has been an ongoing problem at my school since he first came in 2007. He actually threatened to sue my brother once when he caught my brother recording class on his phone after the director had a meltdown and was harassing the students… People go to administration all the time. And I’ve gone with a group of about 15 before. They acknowledge our complaints but never take action.
I know I should quit but it’s just so hard to. And my parents want me to have a replacement activity that’ll replace marching band, and it’s difficult to find one.
I just need to think about this a lot more and think of other stuff I can be doing if I quit. </p>
<p>@TotallyTrudy‌ Well I wish luck then.</p>
<p>Quit. It is simply not worth the stress. Your band director isn’t going to change.While marching band isn’t always “fun” you definitely should not be dreading it. You have a lot on your plate already and marching band is hugely time-consuming. It’s a good time to try something new and focus more on your academic classes. If there is opportunity for youth orchestra in your area that would be a great alternative if you wanted to stay active in music.
You may not be part of the band group but you’ll find some new friends–spread your wings.</p>
<p>Do not quit midseason- it is very unprofessional, especially as a section leader. If the show has been choreographed, they’ll have to redo the entire show. Just dont continue next year. Others here obviously don’t understand what goes into a show. If you make a commitment to the show, you cannot leave unless there are extreme circumstances such as illness. At my school, you actually sign a contract and thats the way it is in most schools in my area.</p>
<p>It sounds to me like you have alot already going on. Between having a job and studying for 3 APs, it may be hard to balance it all. Going out may give you space to look for your other interests and space in your schedule for other classes you have always wanted to take. I don’t pretend to understand the commitment involved in marching band, but I have had multiple friends in it and a highly regarded one at that. Perhaps ask the question, why did you enjoy it freshman year but not sophomore year? Was it more because of the social aspect of it? While marching band (including at my school) the people involved were very close and had a very demanding program that had them spend alot of time together, I doubt all of your friends will suddenly abandon you if you decide to quit.</p>
<p>It’s up to you of course. I’d definitely look into other EC activities and possibly the ensamble someone else mentioned. You could always join a club you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for. Good luck.</p>
<p>Is marching band a graded class? How about concert band? At some schools, participation in marching band is required for students in concert band.</p>
<p>If you really do want to quit, I suggest you get your parents’ help. Have them make you quit marching band because they are concerned about your studies. Don’t say anything about problems, or about the director. Just have them say they think it’s taking away from your studies and that they are taking you out. If the director calls them, they can tell him the same thing.</p>
<p>It’s not a class. It’s an extracurricular. @Hunt</p>
<p>I decided to quit! I feel so much better now and my life just got a lot less stressful. Thanks for your help guys! </p>
<p>I’m glad you ended up making a decision that was good for you; Best of luck with everything!</p>
<p>So I had a meeting today with my parents and band director and told him I couldn’t participate this year. And he absolutely hates me now! He gave me a look of hate and acted like I was the bad guy and unreliable. Sorry I don’t want to join your pathetic excuse of an organization when you’re the one who drove me away from doing it! 
</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it, you made the right choice for you, and the sky isn’t falling for everyone else. Not everyone will like you, and any teacher who can strongly dislike a high school student for a respectful and thought out choice is clearly doing something wrong, like we needed to tell you that. It’s one thing to consider others, its another to put their happiness completely in front of your own.</p>