i know this isnt exactly the right thread for this, but i couldnt find anywhere to put it. I have no problem with my line workin, they want to work. But 2 of them are "special education" people. they are nto too smart, but the are like musical geniouses. they catch on real quick to anything dealing with music. My problem lies with their " special ed" teacher. He wont let them go to band practice because our one trumpet makes fun of them.

This problem is becoming more and more common. An organization cannot refuse the student membership due to special needs. I think that it's awsome that they catch on quick. Do they compete with you guys? Are they in the pit or the battery? What exactly is wrong with them (i.e. Down's syndrome, etc...)? The only advice I can give you is to talk to your instructors and director. Tell them the situation and let them handle it. And for the record, that trumpet player is an [expletive deleted].

What you have to do is put pressure on the trumpet player to stop making fun of them for the good of the group. Get the rest of the line to put pressure on them, too. Then get the trumpet to go to the special ed teacher and assure them that they won't make fun of the kids.

That should satisfy the teacher enough to let them attend.

Good call MAM. But remember pressure does not mean violence.

First of all that One trumpet should be suspened from the band for a period of time. Second of all in my opinon there is no room in schools today for people that are going to make fun of others for a disability they can not control. I would , however, try to sit down and talk to this person about cleaning up their act and what will happen if they do not stop. Next talk to your staff as sugested. I would definately let this person know that that type of behavior is not acceptable to members or to the staff.

That is crule. the trumpet should recive some form of punshiment for his actions. I have this kid with terrets in my line and he will have muscle problems to but no one makes fun of him.

In the HS pit I taught last fall, we had a kid with ADD and another with learning disabilities. It took both of them awhile to learn parts, but once they did, they were nails. Being a part of the band program also became the only thing they wanted to do, and they did well. In fact, their parents were so impressed by their progress because they have never seen them do something so well. Let that teacher know that those kids will have a positive experience because they'll truly feel like they're contributing to a group. They gained a self-confidence that they never experienced before. It may even help them in their schoolwork as well.