I know, I know, there are probably 20 of these on the first 5 pages of this forum... I was hoping to maybe rant, and get some suggestions.

We've got this kid on the line, and he's good friends with all of us, but he completely and utterly lacks discipline, drive, and determination. Last year, around audition time, our instructor named me to be assistant section leader with another kid. OK, cool. Then this season rolls around, and our instructor, knowing that I'm a gracious and accepting person, asks me if I would step down and gives "Steve" the spot, because he made a "mistake," thinking that I was a senior, and he was a junior, whereas it's vice versa. I agree, not wanting confrontation. Now, Steve's mother has a history of complaining about things to the school, as she's sort of in a position of power. It must be a coincidence, though, that a disgruntled senior with a disgruntled mother regains his "title" after the instructor makes a "mistake." Our instructor is a great guy, and, much like myself, hates confrontation and ill-mannered behavior. Unfortunately, this placement sort of led into things going downhill.

The actual section leader is a real good kid, but he's easily influenced. If he were to work with someone like me, we'd have no problem getting the drumline to get up and work. Steve, however, has this problem with not wanting to work (often attributed to his...er... liking of illicit substances). So whenever we finish with a run through of one song, he usually calls for a ten minute break. And who is the line (mostly moldable freshmen and sophmores) going to listen to? Not the idiot tenor player, of course, but the lazy, cocky asst. section leader.

He's also very territorial. Our (new) marching instructor had me running clicks while doing drill, and during a break, he came up to her and complained that he's the assistant sect. leader, and that he always runs clicks, etc. She, again, knowing that I'm gracious, asks me if I'd agree to that, and I said sure.

He does things that make him seem authoritative to the untrained (i.e. freshmen/sophomore) eye, such as doing tap offs and whatnot, but when it comes down to it, he is the least disciplined person I've ever met. And the worst part is that everyone backs him up by telling me that our band isn't worth getting upset over.

Basically, this post was to let off some steam, and possibly get some suggestions. I don't want to cause undue trouble, seeing as this band ISN'T something to get completely worked up over. It's just frustrating. Anyway, thanks for listening, have a nice day.