A successful band is operated much like a successful sports team. Everyone has his position to play and a responsibility to the group. I am sure you know that certain positions on the football or baseball team are more popular than others. However, that does not mean that some positions are more important than others. Could a quarterback have any hope of being successful without the other positions on the team? Could the pitcher on the baseball team win the game by himself?

A fine sounding band is composed of equal talent in each section. We cannot have more "quarterbacks" than any other player. The coach and the band director have very clear duties in this department. Since bands do not have benches, we must get everyone on the correct "position" from the start.

In the first days of band, I will demonstrate all of the instruments. We will listen to recordings and discuss possibilities. I will show instruments to students they do not see on TV and explain why colleges offer the most scholarship dollars for musicians playing these less visible instruments. When that is done, I will give each student an index card on which they will write three instrument choices in order of preference. His 1^st choice is the instrument in which he is most interested. I will see what the balance is like with everyone getting his first choice. If the balance is good, then everyone will get that choice. If the balance is off, I will begin to discuss what is needed and sell individual students on their 2^nd, 3^rd choices or needed instruments. I use a "Balanced Instrumentation" chart published by the Memphis City Schools. This will help insure a successful band.

Once the instrument has been decided, I will give everyone handouts on Who, What, When, Where for getting the necessary equipment. The band supply list is on the Craigmont Band web site.

There are a very few school instruments available. In fact, because this is a new school, not all the instruments have been delivered, so most band members will have to provide their own. The school will provide the largest and most expensive instruments such as Tuba. Families that are in confirmed financial need will receive a school instrument. However, everyone must provide the band supplies. Area music stores have good rental programs for all the instruments in the band. Students using school instruments will have to share that instrument with other students. Again, once we have decided on the instrument, I will pass out all this information.