Dear Miss Emily:

So I'm marching dci all this summer. Dci is basically professional marching band, but I realized in the first week that it wasn't for me. Here's the problem:  I was appointed my high schools drum major and them knowing I was doing dci all summer certainly helped my selection. So here is my question: Do I continue to do something I hate all summer, or do I call it quits and disappoint my family friends and band directors?

----------------------------Miss Emily's advice------------------------

 I know this isn't what you want to read, but I think you need to continue to do what you hate all summer -- hoping the accolades will make up for the misery you think you'll encounter. You made a commitment, I think you need to follow through, and that's what makes you the stand-up guy I'm sure you are at heart. I hated when this happened to me. But I also learned from the experience, and there may be something in it for you that's good and you can't even anticipate at this point in time. It's three months -- a teacher of discipline, and a learning experience you may never forget. Next summer you can call the shots.