<p>Great input from everyone. I should point out that my D plays saxophone in the band at school, but considers piano her main instrument and that would be the instrument that she would go into college with. Her band director is aware of this. Her high school requires everyone who is in band to march, which she dutifully did in freshman year. In sophomore year she submitted a proposal to be excused from marching while staying in band and it was granted.
Her band director would really like her to rejoin the marching band, however. I think she does combine leadership abilities with musical abilities (if I do say so myself), and thats why she is getting some pressure to rejoin. But whats best for the marching band may not be whats best for her. How is it even possible to prepare for auditions senior year while marching 20+ hours a week in addition to school? But evidently some of your students have done it!
The difference between being a music ed major versus a performance major may be crucial here. Thanks for pointing that out!</p>