Onoj
I know exactly what you are talking about too we just have to make it work though because our rules prohibit the use of conductors other than lead players. Do you guys have to memorize your solos for contest?
Haha, well, the only contest we're in is Kiwanis, which allows conductors, so hah xd
And no, we do not have to memorize our solos.
Whenever I tend to have one in band or whatnot I do end up memorizing it though, since it makes it a lot less nerve-wracking. I can just stand up there (when I've had jazz solos, at least, I have to stand, not with concert band though) and play without worrying about the notes on the page. Great fun. I tend to end up memorizing just because I'm forced to play it all the time by my conductor xd