Feeling somewhat ripped off

[QuadraticBeats]

So, my concert season activities look fairly boring for this year. Despite being third place overall from my school and fourth place overall at Region band auditions, and in the top band at both my school and Region, I am not in any of the wind ensemble only percussion ensembles. This would appear to be due to my bombed concert band audition on the region band music. I haven't asked as to the definite nature of this, but it's a hard slap in the face to put in all of that work and then get nothing for it. When people who you placed higher than at a regional audition are being given the more prominent parts, you have to question if your organization is the best place to develop your skills. Indeed, I could be in one of the lower bands, so it could be worse- having a few decent parts (marimba and timpani in two decently challenging ensembles employing the players from the top and second band) is better than none. Those are small bandages patching up the wound to my pride, however; seeing as how I'm a junior, finally getting to do cool stuff for only ONE year as a senior just makes the wound fester. The only other ensembles I'm in involve me being something of a helper for the second band feature piece (at least I'm not alone on that one), and parts in cutesy ensembles with everyone else (a trash can piece and something rather similar to drumspeak). When you're not treated objectively, one has to wonder if there are better venues to pursue your interests in.

 

I do not deny that my instructor had reasons for choosing the players he did for the more challenging ensembles. However, it appears that there is a difference in the way that I am treated. Two of the better players in our percussion program didn't even show up to region, and hadn't prepared very much- yet they were given parts in these significant ensembles. Yet, if I did the same thing, he would probably say that I should have been more prepared as the reason why I did not get a part- which would then be explainable. This year, I did as he wanted us to, although definitely not as well as I could have, and came out particularly successful for the amount of work I put into it. Rather than this being proof of competence, however, it seems like it has been totally forgotten. It would seem that I am rated on what I DO, and some of the other players, who have their own fair share of talent, have been rated on what they crammed in on auditions week and what my instructor thinks they SHOULD or COULD HAVE done.

 

I'd almost rather be placed in the lowest band, assigned to not a single ensemble, and instead given all of that period each day to practice on my own.

 

Anyone have any advice on how to deal with this, asides from just practicing my solo and investing the minimum time necessary in the ensembles?

 

Oh, and Merry Christmas.

[QuadraticBeats]

I should add that I do not go out of my way to annoy my teacher, nor do I have a dislike for him.

[Aegis Fang]

I nailed my region music chair test the othe day, but since three people in my section of 9 forgot to say their name, EVERYONE has to do it over again. And that's the only time I've ever played through that part perfectly...