[TPIN] Playing lead/social situation

[Glenn Bengry]

Jeff,
 
     I agree that the director can ASK you to move up.  But the director doesn't have to sit in the section and deal with the relationships in the section.  You want to have a good time and play good trumpet.  If it were me, I would talk to the director and tell him about the potential tension throughout the section.  A compromise(if I'm understanding the situation) would be to have the director to move you up into the first section, even at the end of the section.  Play well, have a good time with the firsts.  You'll get comfortable playing the first parts, the guys in the section will get comfortable having you there, and hearing how much better the section sounds.  That gives everyone something they need.  At some point after that, you guys can work out the lead chair.  Let it develop so that everyone's egos can be ok.  After all, you guys want to enjoy the situation and make some music too.
 
      If at some point after that transition period, it will become obvious to everyone that you earned the spot and deserve that spot and everyone can feel comfortable.  Then, if it is appropriate to sit in the first chair,cool.
 
    By the way.  SOLOS can be played by any guy in the first section if you conductor asks you in front of the band during rehearsal.  You can lead the section from the bottom of the firsts.  It happens all the time. > 
glenn