Band Player Shortage

Due to the split, Waukee Northwest High School is suffering from a shortage of band students.

Because Waukee High School is splitting into two, this has caused large instrument groups, like the clarinets, to fall to a small group of eight and double-reed instruments, like oboes and bassoons, only have one player in the band. Luckily, a few students from large sections have been learning to play double-reed instruments to help complete the band. Junior, Liz King, has been playing the flute since 5th grade and has been asked to switch to oboe this year. King loves breaking out of the norm of the flute. Flutes have an open mouthpiece, while the oboe has a reed. The reed feels different in the mouth and causes King to have to change the shape of her mouth. Liz King reveals, “Since playing the flute since 5th grade there are times where it feels like you’re just going through the motions and not really doing a whole lot more with your skills.” King has loved the experience and can not wait to expand her skills. She thinks of the band as family and would love to help as much as she can.

Band starts in 5th grade and students do not normally start on double reed instruments. Starting in middle school is when band directors will ask students they think are capable, to switch to more difficult instruments like the oboe and bass clarinet. Fortunately, Abby Elsbernd started playing the oboe in 4th grade. This experience has allowed Elsbernd to mentor those learning the oboe. During the marching band season, Elsbernd played the alto saxophone. The alto saxophone section is a group of seven players. This means she has experienced a small section and a section slightly larger. Elsberned explained, “Being on my own was nice for some things, but it is nicer to have a gibber variety of skill levels in a bigger group because you can learn from those more experienced than you.” She goes on to say, “The social aspect is a lot better in a large section.”

A week into the concert band season, the band has started to adapt to this shortage. Many students from larger sections have moved to smaller sections similar to their instrument group solving a lot of problems in the band.