For this blog post I am to write about how people in the musical community resolve conflict.

The answer to this question will depend on the individual person or groups situation. Since my recent piano playing has been a solitary activity (except for when I ask for advice for more experienced piano players) I will not be discussing my recent experience. Instead I will discuss how conflict was resolved when I was in my high school concert and jazz band. For most of concert and jazz band I played the timpani and auxiliary percussion and sometimes the drum kit. I would also occasionally play the glockenspiel and the piano. During band practice (especially when we were preparing for concerts) there would sometimes be mild conflict in the group.

Usually the conflicts would be about song choices or the order of songs for a concert. These conflicts were usually easily resolved because our amazing music teacher (and conductor) would support our conflict resolution skills. Although she could have taken over and just chose the songs herself, she empowered us to make our own song choices (within reason and our skill level).

Usually to resolve conflict we would have a rule that no matter what was decided we were a band and would maintain our friendships with no hard feelings or bitterness. The second rule of resolving band conflict was that everyone was allowed to be creative and their song choices respected (even if they were not chosen). The third rule was that we would all have a discussion and talk about the pros and cons of each song choice. The fourth and final rule was that the majority ruled. Since the band had about twenty people the decision was usually made by a vote. However, out of respect for the minority vote their song choices would be played next time. If there was a tie the teacher would have the final decision. However, this was rare because most of the conflict was resolved through discussion before a vote was ever needed.