Do you believe in upperclassman priority?

Question

I’m in choir, and the upperclassmen get priority in terms of solos and part choosing. Even when a lowerclassman does just as well they don’t get the part because they are younger. This is particularly annoying because the upperclassmen show up late, skip, and leave the class but still get the solos and stuff.
We have an important concert on Saturday, and needed lunch rehearsals. All the Sophomores showed up but some the Juniors and Seniors skipped which made the Sophomores work 2x as hard and they still aren’t good enough for the good parts.
Do you think this is right?
Where do you believe priority belongs?

Accepted Answer

Yeah I support it. They were freshmen/sophomores once too and went through exactly what you’re going through

Answer

Abso-FUCKING- lutly!!! 
They’re going off into the real world and likely looking for a career along the lines of theater etc. having a lead roll can create opportunity for seniors in the “real world”. 
If you’re an underclassman U will have ur time to shine. Sit back relax u still have 3 YEARS to have that opportunity

Answer

I think so.. I dont hear that issue that often.. sounds like management issues... but most upperclassmen have "paid" their duty as lowerclassmen.. you will eventually be upperclassmen and then you will deserve priority... your choir management needs some help though..

Answer

No, because I’m in show choir. Freshman have got solos,sophomores have got solos. Every grade has got solos.  If you sound good you sound good

Answer

No. I believe in behavior and performance-based assignments. If you don’t take my teaching/coaching seriously and are constantly late or absent or not putting in the effort that others are I will not be rewarding you with any type of solo or benefit just because you have seniority. I will choose the best performers and the people with the best work ethic to have priority over the ones who don’t. I don’t reward bad behaviors just because the people doing them have some type of seniority over those who don’t. I also choose my doctors this way. I had two audiologists. One with ten years of experience and tens of credentials plastered on her walls. She was still making an effort to study and learn about audiology. The other had thirty years of experience and made no effort to continue learning or certifying. Worst audiologist I’ve ever had. Performance and work ethic means a hell of a lot more to me than someone’s “years” of experience. I’ve met tons of people with “years” of experience which were actually just years of underperforming and fooling around.

Answer

I don't agree with it just like I don't agree with it in the real world. I think those that are better deserve the position over time in. I wish the world worked like that. 
If the world doesn't ever change, then it makes sense for it to trickle down to younger ages as well to prepare them.

Answer

The juniors and seniors had to go through it too. It’s known that if a sophomore and a senior both try out for something and are on the same par then it’s going to the senior. It’s their last chance at it and you’ll get more chances in the future. Also there’s a lot of reasons why people wouldn’t be able to go to a lunch rehearsal. I’ve never heard of choirs having lunch rehearsal because you should be eating during that time or using it to get homework done. In my high school we weren’t even allowed to leave the cafeteria during lunch 🤷🏻‍♀️ you’ll get your chance.

Answer

I believe in meritocracy. I think teaching kids the lesson that they get privileges just because they’re older is damaging to them in the long run and misleading them about how the world works. How would any of you feel if you were more competent, more talented, and more responsible than a colleague 1-2 years older than you, but they got a promotion because it was just “their turn”?

Answer

No. Whoever is the best, gets the part. I was a band geek and I think it was once every other month we had to do a solo to determine which chair we sat in. Chair placement is important in band and I imagine similar placements are important in choir as well. And for concerts, we all had to audition for solo parts regardless of chair placement, though it still went to someine within the first 4 chairs because they're the strongest musicians.

Answer

Nope. 
I was in a competitive choir in middle and high school and made first chair soprano by 8th grade. Many upperclassman complained about it, because I was so young but I mean. I auditioned like everyone else and I happened to perform the best. 
I think things like that should be based on merit and performance, not who’s oldest or served the most time 🤷🏻‍♀️

Do you believe in upperclassman priority?

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