Hey man, I've been there and I know it ain't pretty. There's not too much you can do to guarantee relief, and that's rough. It's true you can't change people, but there are some approaches for dealing with a problem section member. As credential, I offer that I served as tenor sax section leader for three years of high school along with sax section leader (organization-wise) in jazz band for the same years, and a founding member of my school's sax quartet. First, it's a bummer that you have what sounds like a small band in that individual members become much more integral, making it more difficult to weed out those who really don't want to do it. Regarding Chris, consider that he probably has somewhat of a complex developed regarding his abilities as a player. He is following dynasty, and that can be stressful to try to live up to. Try not to single him out publicly and try to get time to privately discuss his problems to work out an understanding. Any public denouncement of his behavior is only going augment his dissention as it will make him feel even less wanted in a band that he feels really just wants his older siblings back instead of him. He is undoubtedly self-conscious about his playing, and as long as it's clear that he's not trying, it's clear that he's not failing an attempt. Focus foremost on helping his marching. Offer to help him out after school, privately if he wants, anything to communicate that you want to help rather than ostricize. I know it's rough and difficult to schedule, but it is unfortunately your responsibility as designated by your office to work to your fullest reasonable extent to further the advancement of the section. Chris is not going to be able to unseat two section leaders. It's obvious your band director, while not necessarily taking appropriate action, at least has this guy's number. One rebellious section member can't threaten the position of two ensconced band officers. However, you do want to communicate with them to let them know about your efforts to include and embrace this guy rather than alienate him (even when he thouroughly deserves it). At all times remember that you are an ambassador and that relations between Chris and the rest of the section/band are your top priorities. If his playing really can't be helped, work just on marching (judges have a much easier time seeing one square peg than hearing it), and if his attitude as a whole can't be helped, try to talk directly to his parents and explain the situation, with his presence if possible. It will be difficult and it will feel confrontational, but it would be ultimately better for the section, band, and (if he'd rather pursue visual arts) for Chris. Whatever you do, get respectful and civil communication going with Chris. It will be the only way to resolve anything. Good luck, George

BE PAITENT. BE PAITENT SOME MORE! I cannot stress this enough. I've been a section leader/leader type in general since my sophomore year of high school - and I learned really quick that people just can't be worked with. You can be nice to them, you can scream at them, but they won't listen to a world you say. Welcome to the world of immature high school kids. Don't take it personally - just do the best you can with a bad situation. I really don't know what else to tell you, but I hope it works out for you and things get better, they generally get at least a little better over time, just by the fact that time in passing. In drumcorp this summer, I played mellophone (very little brass experience before I went in, mind you). There was another person in my mello section who was an awesome player, but a horrible marching, as she had never marched a day in her life. She coudln't hold her horn up, she kind of waddled becuase she never learned good technique (no matter how damn hard you tried to teach her) and she showed up to practice in skin tight black jeans anda black tshirt in the middle of July. Now, since I had a lot of marching experience and that's something I knew I could do, I tried to help. She absolutly refused to be helped. I just coudlnt' stand. She had the playing ability I wish I had, but man... It got unbearable somtimes. Because of her crappy attitude she got kicked out, and the fact she made the corp look bad with her horn pointing at the ground. Rah. But hey, I was paitent with her and things resolved. So I feel your pain man, best of luck.