Many times, band directors are faced with painful decisions. Who is first chair? How much time should be devoted to X? Is it time to try something different?

Well, when is it time to try something different, like becoming a military styled band? Well…

• The passion is gone. Are you and/or your students just "going through the motions" now when it comes to show design and execution? Perhaps it's time to give it a jolt with a military styled drill.

• The ship is sinking. I tend to call this a "repeated cycle of failure." If your band repeatedly fails at being like a BoA Grand National Champion, then perhaps it's time to try something new. As always, there is nothing wrong with BoA or the style they promote. However, let's face the facts here—not every group is BoA regional material, much less Grand National material.

• Financial crunch time. In the current era, funds are highly limited. My first year drill groups get their drill for just $500 US Dollars. Yes, it's not for the best of reasons that you need to switch off, but it's still a reason however unfortunate.

• You've seen a military styled band or one of my feature length demos and thought they looked cool. Know what's better than watching it? Being it.

• Needing or wanting to do something different. Again, not many are doing military styled bands anymore and your group will be remembered as "that kind of cool-looking military group."

• You have a very large group of students in ROTC at your school. Why not ride on their coattails with a military styled band to complement them?

So what should you do if you wish to take the plunge and change over to military style?

• CONTACT ME! All right, so that was blatant advertising on my part here. However, know there is nobody else in the entire United States and possibly the world that specializes in military style and only military style. Other designers can do it, but mainly as an afterthought. I do military styled drilling with every intention of making them stand out against corps bands and making something that will impress the public and marching judges.

• Check out some military styled bands for design help if you don't wish to utilize my services. Examine what will work for you. Not every group will be military styled band material either and that largely depends on your state and how they handle marching competitions.

• Don't jump in head first. As much as I would want your business, you as a director need to seriously look at options here. This needs to be an informed decision on your part as the director. Check out the pros and cons of everything before making a decision to change the style of the band (even changing from military to corps!).

Modified from: http://www3.forbes.com/leadership/14-signs-its-time-to-leave-your-job/?utm_campaign=48234-mbl&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral