Chair Challenges

UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The following bylaws are subject to change.

Chair Challenges will always be a friendly, fun, and safe way to bring competition into the band room. Students displaying poor sportsmanship, will not be allowed to challenge up. 

Students are discouraged from "giving-up" their seat. The challengee must make an effort to defend their seat. 

To schedule a challenge:

1. You must challenge someone playing the same instrument you play. For example, a trumpet player cannot challenge a saxophonist. 

2. You may only challenge someone ranked directly above you. Not below. For example, Violin 1, seat #8 has to challenge Violin 1, seat #7. Violin 1, seat #8 cannot jump and challenge Violin 1 seat #1. See Mr. Cruz for chair positioning and who you are allowed to challenge.

3. To arrange a challenge, you and your opponent MUST come to an agreed upon date, and time. The challenge will take place in the band room.  

4. Once the date and time are agreed upon, BOTH PARTIES must approach Mr. Cruz for approval. 

4a. If the chair challenge is approved, Both parties must sign up on the Chair Challenge Scheduler. 

What kind of music can I challenge my opponent with? 

1. The challenger may only challenge using music or skills learned in class. For example, do not bring Themes from the Little Mermaid songbook to challenge your opponent. You can challenge your opponent on scales, exercises, warm up songs, and songs rehearsed in class.

2. If the challenger wishes to overtake a seat, the challenger must challenge using the opponent's music. For example, if Trombone 2 wants to challenge Trombone 1, Trombone 2 must request a copy of Trombone 1 music and use Trombone 1 music for the challenge.  

During the Challenge:

1. Mr. Cruz will verify that the music used for the challenge is appropriate. 

2. With Mr. Cruz's back turned away from the students, the challenger and the opponent need to silently choose to be a #1 or #2.

3. The challenger and the opponent must be silent throughout the challenge.

4. Mr. Cruz will randomly pick between person 1 or person 2 to determine who will go first. 

5. With Mr. Cruz's back turned to the contestants, person 1 and person 2 will play their approved music for Mr. Cruz. 

6. After person 1 and 2 are finished playing, Mr. Cruz turns around, and makes a decision. 

How is the winner determined?

Mr. Cruz will consider the following components and concepts of music when determining the winner: Tone and Sound Quality, correct rhythms, and pitches, appropriate dynamics/volume, articulation, and phrasing. The better player will successfully demonstrate ALL of these performance components and concepts.

I did not win the challenge:

1. You may challenge your opponent once a week. 

2. Note: It is possible for the the challenger to be the challengee possibly resulting in more than one challenge per week. 

How do I lose my chair or lose the chair challenge:

1. Displaying poor sportsmanship. 

2. If the challengee fails to show up at the agreed upon time.

There will be no chair challenges 3 weeks before a concert.