nothing you can do

as a viola player you should accept as quickly as possible no matter how good you are you hold no influence on anyone

but i tried so hard this

so many sweat, blood and tears went into this

I'm a section leader in marching band (tuba) and I really try to make them see that I want to bet better, and I want them to be better with me. They really have started to initiate improvement among themselves.

plus everyone here was in band in high school anyway you wont get any advice

start doing drugs and start your own electric viola indie music

Bring cupcakes and cookies to practice. There is no better incentive to do work.

I became section leader in my Sax section in band this year, and they don't really ask for help. So just ask them if they're struggling with anything then teach them how to do it with repetition and going measure by measure etc. Things like that.

I had some friends in orchestra, and two of them were first chairs and section leaders. One was cello and I can't remember the other. Anyway they both complained about how lazy everybody was and how much they sucked.

So I guess you're screwed? Apparently something about orchestra kids makes them lazy beyond belief.

I've never did band, how much authority do you have? Make them do suicides/sprints or something if you can, or hold them late.

Have them play a section of music, and try to notice the people who are actually trying and struggling. Those are the people that will probably appreciate any assistance.

But most people are lazy fucks. Especially the back row.

From what I've heard from friends in strings you're kinda boned, switching to band would e my plan a and bribing would be my play b.

assert dominance. seriously.

source: i was in marching band.

make love to their women

Make them do pushups for mistakes. Be strict about it, but don't be an asshole. Do pushups for your own mistakes too. Or substitute pushups for any boring/difficult task that will overall improve their playing/performing.

Hold their families hostage until it is over.

the people in band are delusional

HE PLAYS VIOLA that means he has 0 POWER

source: viola for 6 years

Mark your territory (piss all over them)

Welcome to peer leadership. Have fun. Doing it well takes a lot of effort.

be charismatic as fuck

Take their sheets, transpose all pieces to something like F# with lotsa clef changes inbetween and watch them trying to deal with it. When they start begging, you give them back the real sheets.

But srsly, why don't you just talk to the orchestra leader/conductor/whoever is in charge?
If it's you, just tell those who need to improve right in the face what they are doing wrong and what they should be doing.

protip: stop caring about motivating other students, because if you try, then they'll just think you're a tight ass who's annoying and they'll secretly make fun of you.

source: past concertmaster of high school and state orchestras, now in last year of violin performance degree

They're gonna stay lazy. Just call them out when they're playing like shit. Beyond that, just relax, you're not gonna have them scream carpe diem or any stupid movie shit. They're freshman. They're gonna be intimidated, worried and bad. Just be friendly, run through stuff with them if they're having trouble and be a good example as a musician.

source: 8 years of 1st chair French Horn.