WorksheetsBand Survival and Performance Fears
Total questions: 55
Worksheet time: 30mins
If a zombie apocalypse started right now, which section of the band would survive the longest?
The Flutes/Clarinets
The Trumpets/High Brass
The Low Brass/Tuba
The Percussion
What is your biggest "secret fear" during a concert performance?
Getting lost and not knowing where we are in the music.
A squeak, crack, or wrong note during a quiet part.
Dropping a stick, reed, or mute while the judge is watching.
Tripping while walking onto/off
In a rehearsal, every musician is either a "Battery Charger" (gives energy) or an "Energy Vampire" (drains energy). Which one are you?
Charger: I'm focused, engaged, and helping the vibe
Neutral: I just sit there and play my part, nothing more
Vampire: I'm complaining, distracted, or slumped over
Undecided: I honestly wasn't paying attention to my attitude.
"In this band room, it is 'cool' to..."
...act bored and do the bare minimum.
...make fun of people who are trying hard.
...be a leader and play with confidence.
...hide in the back and hope Mr. Molands doesn't hear me.
You notice the rehearsal is dragging and energy is low. What is the best way to fix it?
Wait for the Director to get angry/yell.
Slump in my chair and wait for it to be over.
Fix my own posture and play my next entry with more energy.
Turn to my neighbor and complain about how boring this is.
Mr. Molands is working with the clarinets. You are a trumpet player. What is the best use of that 30 seconds?
Active Listening: Listen to their part so I know how I fit in.
The "Check-Out": Pull out my phone to check a text quickly.
The "Spaced Out": Stare at the wall until I hear my instrument name.
The Disruptor: Turn around and talk to the percussionists.
True or False: Even if my phone is in my pocket, feeling it buzz breaks my concentration for at least 5 seconds.
True: My brain instantly wonders "Who is that?" and I stop thinking about the music.
False: I am a robot who ignores all notifications.
Maybe: But I need to know if it's an emergency.
During your practice days; what's your ratio of Playing/Talking
90% Playing / 10% Talking: We only stop to quickly fix a measure or count.
50% Playing / 50% Talking: We play a song, then chat for 5 minutes, then play another.
10% Playing / 90% Talking: We mostly hang out and just play when a teacher walks by.
0% Playing: We are "discussing the emotional meaning" of the music (i.e., gossiping).
What's the main reason your practicing turns into a hangout?
Leadership Vacuum: No one stepped up to say "Let's start at measure 45."
Sabotage: One or two people kept distracting everyone else.
Confusion: We didn't know what we were supposed to rehearse.
Exhaustion: We just didn't feel like playing.
Attitude is contagious. If the person sitting next to you is sighing, rolling their eyes, and complaining, what happens to your playing?
It gets worse: Their negative energy drains me and I focus less.
It stays the same: I am immune to their bad vibes. (Rarely true).
I get annoyed: I spend the rehearsal wishing they would stop.
I join in: It's easier to complain together
You had a terrible day at school before walking into the band room. What is the "Professional" way to handle it?
The Reset: "Leave the bad day at the door." Use music as an escape.
The Cloud: Bring the bad mood in and make sure everyone knows I'm upset.
The Silent Treatment: Refuse to talk or play because I'm mad.
The Explosion: Snap at the director or my classmates
We sight-read a new piece and it is REALLY hard. You can't play 50% of it. What is your immediate attitude?
Challenge Accepted: "This is going to be tough, but I'll learn it."
Defeat: "I can't do this. I'm just going to fake it."
Blame: "Mr. Molands picked a stupid song."
Panic: "I'm going to fail."
You turn to your neighbor to whisper a "quick joke" while Mr. Molands is teaching. What actually happens?
The Blast Radius: I miss the instruction, AND my neighbor misses it, AND the people behind us get distracted.
The Stealth Mission: No one notices, and it has zero effect on the band.
The "Huh?": 10 seconds later, I have to ask "What measure are we at?"
The Bonding: It helps us become better friends (at the expense of the music).
Is there someone in this room that's holding us back because they cannot follow expectations
Yes.
No.
You see someone damaging a stand or mistreating an instrument. What do you do?
The Leader: Say "Hey, cut it out. Don't do that."
The Snitch: immediately run to tell the teacher (without trying to handle it first).
The Bystander: Pretend I didn't see it because I don't want drama.
The Follower: Join in because it looks funny.
You arrive at class and realize your music is gone. Who is responsible for fixing this?
Me: I need to respectfully ask for a copy before rehearsal starts.
My Stand Partner: I'll just look off them and lean awkwardly.
The Director: He should have known I would lose it and had one ready.
The Dog: He ate it, so it's technically his fault.
You are an advanced player sitting next to someone who is struggling. What is your job?
The Mentor: Model good playing and offer to help them during a break.
The Soloist: Play louder to cover up their mistakes.
The Critic: Sigh loudly every time they miss a note.
The Isolator: ask to move seats away from them.
You walk into the band room. What is the correct order of operations?
Get instrument - Sit Down - Warm Up: I get ready immediately
Drop Back - Talk to Friends - Panic: I socialize until the bell rings
Wander around - poke percussion instruments - Sit: I tour the room first
Ask Mr. Molands a question - Get instrument: I try to talk to Molands while setting up
When Mr. Molands Alarm goes off...
It's a Warning: It tells Mr. Molands to wrap up, but he can hold us until the bell.
Freedom: I can sprint out the door mid-sentence.
Pack Up Time: I can start putting my instrument away while we are still playing.
Chaos: I can start shouting at my friends.
Where does your music folder live when you are not at school?
The Slot: In its assigned slot in the band room cabinet.
The Black Hole: Crumpled at the bottom of my backpack.
The Car: In the backseat of my mom's car (where it freezes/melts).
Home: On my desk (which helps me practice, but I might forget it).
When Mr. Molands steps onto the podium box, what happens to the "Volume Knob" of the room?
Instant Mute: The room goes to 0% volume immediately.
Slow Fade: We slowly stop talking over the next 10 seconds.
Volume Spike: We try to get one last sentence in before he starts.
Nothing: We keep talking until he taps the stand.
The conductor's arms go up in the "ready" position. What should your instrument be doing?
Up & Set: In playing position, embouchure set, taking a breath.
On My Lap: I lift it up after he starts conducting.
Being Assembled: I'm still putting my reed on.
In the Air: I'm waving it around like a flag.
You have a question about a rhythm. Mr. Molands is currently working with the Trombones. What do you do?
Wait: Write it down or wait until he stops the band or asks "Questions?".
Shout It: "Mr. Molands! Hey! I have a question!"
The Wave: Wave my hand frantically while he is conducting.
Ask Neighbor: Talk loudly to the person next to me to figure it out.
You play a hard measure correctly ONE time. Are you done practicing it?
No: "Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong."
Yes: I proved I can do it, so I move on.
Maybe: I'll try it again tomorrow.
Who cares: Close enough.
You have 20 minutes to practice. What is the best strategy?
The Sniper: Pick 4 specific measures that are messy and fix them.
The Marathon: Play the whole show from start to finish once.
The Noodle: Play random songs I like from the radio.
The Jam: Just improvise and have fun.
When the final chord cuts off at our Spring Concert, what do we want the audience to feel in that split second of silence?
Goosebumps: They are stunned by the beauty and emotion of the music.
Relief: "Thank goodness that loud noise is over."
Politeness: "That was nice, I guess."
Confusion: "Was that supposed to end there?"
If YOU are missing from the ensemble, what do we actually lose?
A Unique Voice: The band's "color" changes because your specific sound isn't there.
Volume: It's just a little quieter.
A Chair: Just an empty spot in the row.
Nothing: I'm easily replaceable.
If we buried a time capsule for the Band of 2050, what note would we leave them about the "Band of 2026"?
"We set the standard": "We worked harder than anyone so you could have this program."
"We had fun": "We just goofed around."
"We survived": "It was a tough year."
"Good luck": "You'll need it."
You see a piece of trash on the band room floor that isn't yours. What does a Leader do?
Pick it up: "I take pride in my house, so I keep it clean."
Ignore it: "Not my trash, not my problem."
Kick it: Move it under someone else's chair.
Report it: Tell the teacher someone made a mess.
What is the difference between "Bossing" and "Leading"?
Service: A Boss says "Go"; a Leader says "Let's Go" (and goes with them).
Volume: A Boss yells; a Leader whispers.
Title: A Boss has a badge; a Leader doesn't.
None: They are the same.
We just won 1st Place at a festival. We pass the 2nd Place band in the hallway. What do we do?
Class Act: Smile, shake hands, and say "Great job today."
The Flex: Hold the trophy up and cheer in their faces.
The Ghost: Ignore them completely.
The Gossip: Whisper about how they didn't deserve 2nd.
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." If you see a "weak link" in your section, what is your job?
Strengthen It: Help them, teach them, and encourage them so the whole chain gets stronger.
Cut It: Try to get them kicked out of the band.
Hide It: Hope the judges don't hear them.
Mock It: Make fun of them behind their back.
Who is the most important person in this band?
Everyone: If the 3rd Clarinet part is missing, the chord is incomplete. Everyone is essential.
The Soloist: The person playing the melody.
The Seniors: Because they have been here the longest.
The Director: Because he has the baton.
We are drawing a line in the sand today. What do we do with the mistakes and bad rehearsals from the past?
Learn & Burn: We take the lesson, but we "burn" the bad memory and move on.
Carry the Baggage: We keep bringing up old drama and failures.
Pretend: We act like nothing happened (but change nothing).
Dwell: We sit around feeling guilty.
We don't need to be perfect tomorrow. We just need to be 1% better. What is ONE small change you can make immediately?
The "Pencil" Habit: I will never walk into class without a pencil again.
The "Posture" Habit: I will sit up straight without being asked.
The "Eyes" Habit: I will look at the conductor every time the band stops.
The "Phone" Habit: I will leave my phone in my backpack/locker.
From now on, when you catch yourself saying "I can't play this," what word must you add to the end of the sentence?
"...Yet": "I can't play this... YET." (It reminds me I am still learning).
"...Ever": "I will never get this." (Defeatist).
"...Because": "Because it's too hard." (Excuses).
"...Whatever": (Apathy).
Up until now, many of us have been "consumers" (taking energy). Who is willing to become a "Donor" (giving energy) starting today?
I'm In: I will bring positive energy even if I'm tired.
Maybe: I'll try if everyone else does.
No thanks: I prefer to just sit here.
Pass: That sounds like too much work.
Apathy says: "I have to go to band." Gratitude says:
"I get to make music": "I am lucky to have an instrument, a team, and this talent."
"I have to go to math": At least it's not math.
"I guess it's okay": It's better than nothing.
"I'm forced to be here": My parents made me.
Look at the instrument in your hands. Starting today, how do we treat it?
Like a Precision Tool: It is expensive, fragile, and creates art. I will respect it.
Like a Toy: I spin it, drop it, and dent it.
Like Furniture: I lean on it.
Like a Burden: It's just heavy metal I have to carry.
We have spent months worrying about "Right Notes." What is the new goal for the rest of the year?
Expression: Making the audience feel something, even if we miss a note.
Perfection: We must never make a mistake again. (Impossible/Stressful).
Survival: Just getting through the concert.
Speed: Playing as fast as possible.
Sometimes Mr. Molands asks us to do weird things (singing, buzzing, clapping). What is the new mindset?
"Trust the Process": "It feels silly, but it will make us sound better."
"Too Cool": "I'm not doing that, I look stupid."
"Lazy": "I'll just mouth the words."
"Judge": "This is a waste of time."
You are in a bad mood. You snap at your stand partner. What is the "New Standard" for fixing this?
The Owning: "Hey, I'm sorry I snapped. I'm having a rough day. It's not you."
The Excuse: "Well, you were playing sharp, so you deserved it."
The Silence: Just ignore them for the rest of the week.
The Grudge: Stay mad at them forever.
Be honest: Is there someone in your section who clearly hasn't practiced, and you feel like you have to "carry" them or play louder to cover them up?
Yes, definitely: It happens every day.
Sometimes: They have good days and bad days.
No: Everyone in my section pulls their own weight.
I'm not sure: I'm too focused on my own part to notice.
Do you feel like Mr. Molands has to stop and fix the same mistakes for the same few people over and over again?
Yes: It feels like we are stuck in "Groundhog Day" because of them.
Occasionally: But we eventually move on.
No: The pacing feels fine.
I am that person: I'm the one causing the stops.
Look around (with your ears). Is there someone in this room who you suspect is "faking" (moving fingers/slide but not actually playing) most of the time?
Yes: I know exactly who it is.
Maybe: I have my suspicions.
No: Everyone seems to be playing.
I do it: Sometimes I fake it when I'm lost.
Is there someone near you who checks their phone/smartwatch so often that it actually distracts YOU from rehearsing?
Yes: It's super distracting to see their screen light up constantly.
Yes, but I ignore it: It happens, but I block it out.
No: Everyone near me is focused.
It's me: I can't help myself.
Is there a specific pair or group of friends in this band who care more about their conversation than the music?
Yes: They never stop talking, even when the baton is up.
Sometimes: They talk a little, but they stop when asked.
No: The room is generally quiet.
The "Cool" Kids: They think the rules don't apply to them.
Is there someone in here whose negative attitude (rolling eyes, sighing, complaining) actually ruins the vibe for everyone else?
Yes: Their bad mood brings the whole room down.
Sort of: It's annoying, but we ignore them.
No: We are generally positive.
I don't know: I don't pay attention to drama.
: Does it bother you when you see other students being disrespectful to the Director or the podium?
Yes, it makes me mad: We are wasting time because they won't listen.
Yes, it's awkward: I feel embarrassed for them.
No: I don't really care.
No: I think it's funny.
Do you believe there are a few specific people in this room who are single-handedly preventing us from getting a Division 1 (Superior) Rating? OR performing amazing music at our concerts?
Yes: If they don't step up, we won't make it
Maybe: It's going to be close.
No: We win or lose as a team; it's on all of us.
No: We are sounding great regardless.
If everyone else in the band answered these questions honestly right now... would anyone be thinking of YOU?
No: I am confident I am a "Plus" to this culture.
Maybe: I have my bad days, but mostly I'm good.
Probably: I know I talk too much or don't practice enough.
Yes: I know I am one of the people holding us back.
Forget the bad rehearsals for a second. Look around at the talent sitting in this room right now. If we actually get our act together, how good could we be?
Unstoppable: We could be one of the best bands in the state/district.
Solid Gold: We could easily earn a Superior rating.
Pretty Good: We would be decent, but not great.
The Same: We have already peaked.
Being in a band is hard work. Why do we keep showing up every day?
The Music: Because making sound with 50 other people is a feeling you can't get anywhere else.
The People: Because this is my "weirdo" family and I love them.
The Challenge: Because doing hard things makes us better humans.
All of the Above: I'm all in.
We identified some problems today. Who is willing to hit the "Reset Button" right now and give this band a fresh start tomorrow?
I'm In: I promise to bring my best attitude tomorrow.
I'll Try: I'm willing to give it a shot if everyone else does.
I'm Watching: I want to see if the leaders step up first.
No
In ONE word, describe what you want this Band to be known for.
