im really mad.. i just need ur opinions!?

Question

first of all, thx for opening! lol
but i have 2 questions.. and im not gonna meantion any names..

1. my band teacher made this thing called 'challenge' or watever and then its where a person can move up a few chairs by challening any person...
but wat i think is REALLY wrong is that were not allowed to decline. and some of us have things to do other than practice flute all day...
so who agrees that its unfair?
who thinks its completely fair??
i just need opinions...

2. so im 2nd chair in flute for my band, and this one person thats 3rd chair kept on asking if she could challenge me. so i said
"can u plz not do it cuz i have 5 1/2 hours of dance a week and i have violin AND flute and homework and all of that so can u not do it.."
and then she said "whatever its a free world and ur responsible for practicing so im gonna sign up"
and then i got pissed off cuz i mean whats the point of asking me then acting snotty if shes just gonna sign up?
if u think thats rude, speak :]

Answer 1

I think your band teacher has made it possible for people who are really dedicated to practicing to show what they've learned and be rewarded for their hard work. If you deserve 2nd chair, you'll keep second chair. If you don't, then someone else will have earned it.

I suspect the 3rd chair flutist just wanted your good-spirited approval for the challenge. You can't expect her (or anyone else) to honor your request to not be challenged if they honestly feel that they can win a challenge and better their position.

You (and they) not only have to EARN their chair, you (and they) have to KEEP it.

Answer 2

Your band teacher didn't invent that. It's been happening in school bands for decades. I suffered through it almost 30 years ago in Chicago.

I don't think you should be allowed to decline because you don't own your chair. It belongs to the band and the person most suited for that chair should have it. If you're most suited, you'll play the other person down, no problem. If the other person is better than you, than for the good of the band, you should move down and let that person take your chair. Challenges keep everybody playing their best and make the band sound great.

The girl in 3rd chair has every right to challenge you. If all she does is play flute, she's probably better than you are because you have dance and violin and everything else. Just accept the challenge and let the band teacher decide who is best and then live with the results. If you're truly better than she is, you'll keep your chair.

You should just be happy that she was nice enough to give you some warning, so you can squeeze in a little more flute practice and a little less violin.

If she was asking me for advice, I'd tell her to challenge first chair, not second, but maybe she's already done that.

P.S. I think your parents are nuts for putting you in too many activities. You can't be great at seven things. My kids only get one instrument and one other extra-curricular.

Answer 3

Hmmm, that's a tough one. On one side, I can see that the teacher wants to do this to encourage people to try harder and challenge those that are really good to maintain their performance.

On the other side, I can see that in your particular circumstance it adds an extra workload that you feel pressured about.

The only solution I can see is to speak with the teacher. Tell him openly that you find the new system creates a lot of pressure for you as you have a very full schedule already.

He may have some suggestions.

However, the fact is that in this life you will be constantly challenged in every area, and "I'm busy" will not always mean people back off. They have a right to improve themselves, too!

You may have to make a decision about whether being second chair is more important than other activities, and it may mean deciding whether you have to give up second chair or give up something else.

There are only 24 hours in a day, and a long list of accomplishments is great, but not at the expense of your health.

However, your teacher or school counsellor may have a better solution. If not, why not discuss it with your parents? They have probably gone through the same sort of thing at school and will have some ideas you may not have thought of, as well as be able to support you in the decision you make.

Good luck and best wishes :-)

Answer 4

First, Challenges are not new. We had challenges when I was in band 25+ years ago.
It IS fair because you should make time to practice. Just because you over schedule yourself does not mean that everyone else should settle for less than the highest goal they can reach.
It's not rude. She wants to improve herself. You are being rude and childish by expecting her to just let you keep your chair without any work.

Answer 5

It sounds like you don't feel up to the challenge. You might be spreading yourself a little thin playing two instruments and dance. You can't blame your 3rd chair for wanting to better themselves. Stop whining and step up and prove that you deserve the 2nd chair. Competition is a big part of life so you might as well get used to it kid.

Answer 6

The challenge sounds dumb to me.
You have school work and dance so I'm sure your busy.
The 3rd chair sounds like a BRAT. Just practice and BEAT HER A*S!!!
Good Luck

I was in band 15+ years ago and we never did challenge. (however I was in 2nd to last chair so maybe I just didn't pay attention)

Answer 7

I think your teacher's a retard for not letting you decline a challenge. You earned your chair, you shouldn't have to fight to hang onto it!!!

Answer 8

well she sound like a self centered person.
and you should tell the teacher that she signed you up without your permission.
you should also tell her that she cant MAKE you do anything you dont want to do.
she is just trying to get attetion and is probably jealous of you.