A Great University Has Great Traditions

[Statler]

A great university has great traditions. Southern Methodist University is no exception. New traditions appear, but they should not overshadow those that bind generation to generation.

Much time, energy, and discussion has been spent the last week over Peruna’s status as well as the Mustang Band. I am convinced that much of the criticism of these oldest and most cherished traditions is due to the fact that there is no institutional memory. Since the suspension of football in 1987, our efforts have been futile in football, we have not been in the media, and we have no traditional rivals except for Rice and TCU. No one remembers what it was like to take our 10,000 fans, our 96 member band, and yes, our miniature horse down to Austin, and kick their tails (no pun intended) with the football, the band, and our mascot. I will never forget that Peruna was invited to eat part of Bevo’s birthday cake which was made of hay. He went over, sniffed the hay, and turned his nose up at that abomination and led the handlers away. The SMU fans laughed so hard and the UT people were stunned.

Today, we play far away conference rivals of which we know nothing and they do not know anything about us. We do not have to face them at the water cooler and trade jibes. With that in mind, I request that those who have a less than favorable image of the M Band or Peruna to research our history. I am aware that there will be some that cannot be convinced; however, I am sure that there will be others who can be persuaded.

The halftime shows from the last 50 years have been preserved by the Diamond M Club. A few have been put on YouTube, and I encourage you to see the selections. The 1980 show at Baylor was the last time M Band marched 96. After that time the university failed to increase the scholarship budget significantly for over 25 years and of course the band got smaller and smaller and smaller.

For the past 25 years, band people have been carrying the torch the best they can and have given their all to continue the great tradition that is the Mustang Band. Talk to a current band person. They have the same passion that has been ongoing for 80+ years. They get it. They bleed red and blue. M Band is more than notes and marching. It is something that becomes part of your soul and you can never get rid of it.

So with all the above said, check out these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLAnDl28PUA&feature=channel_page

The really loud part starts at the 3:45 minute mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c08QTjgLy50&feature=channel

Note: the soloist has no microphone. The band was around 82 members then and as loud as the UT Band. (FYI – the drum major was on the 1982 national champion track team).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXqRG0e17hY&feature=related

Note: Peruna leading the M Band on the field.

[SmooBoy]

Well said, all around. People that aren't close to the band will never fully get it, but that's okay. Thing that always gets me when seeing this old footage is how fast Peruna was played and marched going across the field. Cool that Peruna led the way. That had discontinued when I was there in the latter part of the 80s. Now I want to go dig out some shows from the inter and post DP days and upload them. Wonder if I still have the football-less '88 homecoming at the SMU-TCU soccer game at Ownby.

[Mexmustang]

Thanks for "the memories". For twenty years, the only spirit left was our band.

I still don't understand the conflict at Meadows that discourages our best musicians from participating.

[SMUPhil]

I posted this earlier in the other thread, but thought it may help answer your question, Mexmustang.

There were several music majors in the band when I was there 5 years ago. It's not the band that discourages it, it's not like the directors turn people away because they are part of Meadows. For music majors, they have to have so many hours of ensemble credit to graduate. Most ensembles count as 1 credit hour per semester including the Mustang Band. So which do you think they'd rather choose as their 1 hour of ensemble credit: the brass ensemble that meets 3 times a week and performs 3 times a semester (to any Meadows people, Im generalizing here, I know there is probably more to it)... or the marching band that meets 5 days a week, rehearses before and plays at all home games (usually means about an 8 hour commitment on Saturdays), and travels to 1-2 away games a Fall? Unless they were just a big marching band or SMU fan, (and there were some, we usually had 5-10 of them in the band at a time), they would usually choose the 1 single hour of credit with way less time commitment.

Plus, the music majors at Meadows are good, like REALLY good. Meadows holds auditions annually in Miami, LA, Chicago, NY, etc to find the select few musicians that they bring to the school. These kids are usually on partial or full scholarship to come to SMU, and from there many go on to grad school and then top symphonies or military bands. This isn't UNT with 1000's of music majors and a mission to provide the state of Texas with band directors. My point is, they are usually advised to stay on track to graduate, and to make the best use of their time with their private instructors and ensembles they participate in, thus the huge time commitment of the Mustang Band is sometimes frowned upon.

Long winded explanation, sorry. I wanted to get across that there are no rules in place (ok, I have heard of one instructor that forbid his students from doing the Mustang Band because he saw it as time that could be spent in a practice room working on other music) that keep people from participating or anyone at the Mustang Band telling kids at Meadows to stay away. I think it's just a different mindset and goal for students in Meadows than the majority of Mustang Band members. And like I said, several music majors WERE and ARE in the Mustang Band, but because they wanted to do it, not because it's a required part of their curriculum.

[Statler]

I posted this earlier in the other thread, but thought it may help answer your question, Mexmustang.

There were several music majors in the band when I was there 5 years ago. It's not the band that discourages it, it's not like the directors turn people away because they are part of Meadows. For music majors, they have to have so many hours of ensemble credit to graduate. Most ensembles count as 1 credit hour per semester including the Mustang Band. So which do you think they'd rather choose as their 1 hour of ensemble credit: the brass ensemble that meets 3 times a week and performs 3 times a semester (to any Meadows people, Im generalizing here, I know there is probably more to it)... or the marching band that meets 5 days a week, rehearses before and plays at all home games (usually means about an 8 hour commitment on Saturdays), and travels to 1-2 away games a Fall? Unless they were just a big marching band or SMU fan, (and there were some, we usually had 5-10 of them in the band at a time), they would usually choose the 1 single hour of credit with way less time commitment.

Plus, the music majors at Meadows are good, like REALLY good. Meadows holds auditions annually in Miami, LA, Chicago, NY, etc to find the select few musicians that they bring to the school. These kids are usually on partial or full scholarship to come to SMU, and from there many go on to grad school and then top symphonies or military bands. This isn't UNT with 1000's of music majors and a mission to provide the state of Texas with band directors. My point is, they are usually advised to stay on track to graduate, and to make the best use of their time with their private instructors and ensembles they participate in, thus the huge time commitment of the Mustang Band is sometimes frowned upon.

Long winded explanation, sorry. I wanted to get across that there are no rules in place (ok, I have heard of one instructor that forbid his students from doing the Mustang Band because he saw it as time that could be spent in a practice room working on other music) that keep people from participating or anyone at the Mustang Band telling kids at Meadows to stay away. I think it's just a different mindset and goal for students in Meadows than the majority of Mustang Band members. And like I said, several music majors WERE and ARE in the Mustang Band, but because they wanted to do it, not because it's a required part of their curriculum.

For those that don't know SMUPhil plays in the Marine Drum & Bugle Corp from DC...They are currently performing at "The Great State Fair of Texas."

Phil..thanks for your service!!! A Big Hubba Hubba as well.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

. I think it's just a different mindset and goal for students in Meadows than the majority of Mustang Band members. And like I said, several music majors WERE and ARE in the Mustang Band, but because they wanted to do it, not because it's a required part of their curriculum.

Yep, that sums up what I had said in another thread. Hubba!

[SMU21TCU10]

Good Post

[mr. pony]

Amen.

[redpony]

The band will always be an important part of this university. When I think of SMU football I can always remember the band marching out onto the Cotton Bowl field and the announcer introducing Irving Driebrot and the Mustang band- 96 guys and a doll as they blasted away playing Peruna.
Great traditions can be replaced but never forgotten.
GO PONIES!!!

[Diamond Girl]

Well said, Statler. Hubba!!!!!

[Pony94]

I said this in another thread and I will say it again...the band has my support 110%. While I was a student, I am certain I thought very little of the band students, and now I realize how wrong I was. The band puts in hours that would rival athletics, but more importantly, they are the some of the most spirited students in the school, if not the most. By the third quarter of most games, they outnumber the students remaining, but keep playing. I certainly wish the band was larger, but I am very happy with what we have...and that is the most unique band in the country.

[SMU2007]

RE: A Great University Has Great Traditions

So by your logic is A&M the best university out there?

[SmooBoy]

RE: A Great University Has Great Traditions

So by your logic is A&M the best university out there?

Most does not equal Great

[Statler]

RE: A Great University Has Great Traditions

So by your logic is A&M the best university out there?

Obviously you never took logic....

As much as I hate to say it....a&m is a great university because they know where they come from and where they are going.....At times we are rudderless. But are they the greatest....they think so, and that is all that matters to them as well it should be.

[George S. Patton]

You want to know about tradition? Read John Feinstein's book about the Army-Navy Game Civil War. Maybe some of you knuckleheads will catch on.

Just consider this. After every Army-Navy game, the players for each team stand in unison on the field and respectfully listen to each program's alma mater. I know several of you just learned that.

So let's say, the schools decided to call it off because some political group thought it was offensive to those who died in what they term an illegal war, and the administration at both academies caved in, how do you think that would be received? There would be absolute revolt.

Staying with Army -- Navy. What if Army decided to add a Mustang to join its Mule or Navy added a lamb to join its goat? How do you think the alums and student bodies would react to it? Again, there would be absolute revolt.

Some of you identify tradition of going out partying at the local bar every Thursday night because that's about all tradition means to you.

SMU is serving as a big prostitute for this whole sham.