As many may know, I am in Marching Band, and am rather devoted to it. As a percussionist, I think marching band is a great opportunity to learn and improve.
Over this summer, I brought home the instrument called the "Quads".

Spoiler:

I've been practicing the quads in hopes of getting the part this year in Marching Band. Since I am the Drum Captain this year, I saw it fitting to lead with the presumed "most difficult marching instrument" for the percussion. I put that in quotes because all the drums are difficult. The Pit is difficult. It all depends on the show and your efforts. I've noticed that many percussionists group specific instruments into skill groups, and assume that only the best players get certain parts, specifically, the quads. I wanted to learn the quads because they are fun, and I just really wanted to try to get the part.

I was prepared. Yesterday was the auditions, and I did a great job on the quads. I even have one of the songs already memorized, and the other two songs are almost memorized too!

Not only was I certain that I got the quad part, but other students were. Whenever I talked about it with my band teacher yesterday and the day before, he was also sure that I would get the part.



I didn't get the part.



It's not about skill. It's not about talent. It's about where I need to be in the drum line, as one of, if not the, strongest percussion players this year. I will be on the Snare again this year, the same as last year. I love the snare part and I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of this Marching season, but I really wanted that quad part, and I admit that I am upset I didn't get it. But disappointment happens to all of us in our life, even involving our best talents and skills.

Our percussion instructor chatted with me after the assignments were assigned. I am pretty sure I was the only one who didn't get what I wanted. He wanted to know what I thought, and I told him that I understood, because I so. It makes sense that a Freshman was given the quad part instead of me, because he is going to learn quads, and when he is a junior, he'll be able to pass on his skills. We needed to train a new quad player in preparation for not this year, but the next and the one after that. And I, as the only experienced snare (that showed up, anyway....) need to be with the snares. I understand and I agree with the decision made, despite my initial disappointment.

Our instructor made it very clear before I left today that I am talented enough to be on whichever instrument I so choose. He told me that it was a great audition and that I am very talented. He also told me that I am extremely skilled with the snare, and we need that. I personally may disagree because I don't think I am very good, but I trust in his decision and will do my best to be the support the percussionists need. Hopefully I can live up to his hope in me.

Though I wanted to cry then and there, I kept my composure as much as I could. (I am a sensitive person and yes, some tears were shed. BUT 8 kept it together. After coming home, as I was telling my parents what happened, it was almost a waterfall, haha!) I understood immediately why I was not to be on quads, and why the freshman was. Our instructor said something along the lines of, "How a person responds to disappointment determines their sense if character. Thank you for showing a good sense of character." (He said it better in real life, I wish I could remember what exactly it was.)

Overall, I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to learn the quads and to be on the drumline. I am thankful to march with the snare, the smallest drum on the line. (I am very short.) I am thankful for marching band, and I am excited for this final season! It is going to be a great year, and a great show!