Greenville Middle School Bands

CHAIR ORDER AND CHALLENGES

Every student in band is equally important to the sound of the group. This third part trombone is just as important as the first part flute. The directors at GMS strongly believe in teamwork and that we are all responsible for the outcome of our product! We also recognize that competition is a real-life issue and healthy competition has a rightful place within the band classroom.

FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE

Chair placement for fifth and sixth graders is random and may be based upon recommendation from a previous director or private lesson teacher.

There will be NO challenges in the fifth or sixth grade band. However, the director does reserve the right to move a child's seat, rearrange assigned parts, or rotate students within the section.

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE

Chair placement for seventh and eighth graders is determined the first week of school by a short audition process. The placement audition consists of 2-3 scales, a prepared piece of the director's choosing, and sight-reading. Students who do not show up for their assigned placement audition will sit at the end of the section.

Challenges will be allowed to begin AFTER first quarter is over. The following guidelines for challenges will be adhered to:

1. A student may only challenge the chair directly ahead of him in the concert seating order.

2. The student being challenged DOES NOT have to agree to the challenge. However, if a student does not want to participate in a challenge, then that student forfeits his chair.

3. The challenger fills out a challenge form (can be obtained from a director), and gives it to his director. The director will schedule the challenge and choose which scales and which piece the two students will play.

4. The challenges are done with the director's back turned. Every effort is made to ensure a fair challenge.

5. In the event of a tie, either sight-reading will determine the winner or the challenge will be rescheduled with different music.

6. Regardless of the outcome, the participating students must wait two weeks before filling out the paperwork for their next challenge. The director schedules challenges a minimum of three weeks apart.

7. Challenges will cease three weeks before a concert.