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I listened to the game (camping via an iphone app) and I often heard the SMU band in the back round of the broadcast. I can't explain it, but it added to the excitement of listening to the game. I could feel the momentum based on the band's participation.

What a dedicated group to stay for a game during a SMU holiday!

There is no doubt that the hub of SMU spirit is the band but, by gosh, how impressive the band was to not only perform, but stay in Dallas and add to the school spirit.

Tear in the eyes while thanking the band for adding to the experience.

Good points....they are good students and loyal fans...kudos to them, as well.

The Band looks and sounds especially good this year.

Also the Band showed class by waiting to play Varsity at the end of the game because the Tulsa band began playing their song...finally our band began Varsity because that alma mater of Tulsa is exceedingly LONG and we were all tired of standing around waiting for it to finish. Then after it DID finish they began playing their fight song over Varsity. We showed class...they didn't.

And they wear funny hats.

Arkpony wrote:Also the Band showed class by waiting to play Varsity at the end of the game because the Tulsa band began playing their song...finally our band began Varsity because that alma mater of Tulsa is exceedingly LONG and we were all tired of standing around waiting for it to finish. Then after it DID finish they began playing their fight song over Varsity. We showed class...they didn't.

I have seen people mentioned this twice and I do not get it. Tulsa was still playing their alma mater and the SMU band started playing Varsity. How was the SMU band showing class by starting to play while Tulsa was still playing, but Tulsa was not showing class by playing while SMU was playing Varsity?

Wuba wrote:

Arkpony wrote:Also the Band showed class by waiting to play Varsity at the end of the game because the Tulsa band began playing their song...finally our band began Varsity because that alma mater of Tulsa is exceedingly LONG and we were all tired of standing around waiting for it to finish. Then after it DID finish they began playing their fight song over Varsity. We showed class...they didn't.

I have seen people mentioned this twice and I do not get it. Tulsa was still playing their alma mater and the SMU band started playing Varsity. How was the SMU band showing class by starting to play while Tulsa was still playing, but Tulsa was not showing class by playing while SMU was playing Varsity?

Agreed. Impatience is not a virtue. That the band is being praised for such impatience is simply another demonstration that it is the object of blind adoration. To consider the band above criticism is one matter, but to needlessly praise the band is a form of disrespect. Praise is only meaningful when it is deserved.

Arkpony wrote:Also the Band showed class by waiting to play Varsity at the end of the game because the Tulsa band began playing their song...finally our band began Varsity because that alma mater of Tulsa is exceedingly LONG and we were all tired of standing around waiting for it to finish. Then after it DID finish they began playing their fight song over Varsity. We showed class...they didn't.

I thought the same thing about the Tulsa school song, loooooong!

This is going to delve way WAY further than people on a football board would want into band dorkdum, but since the thread is started, here goes.

While the band sounds great from the stands, and the playing of Peruna continues to fire up the crowd, I think the band has been going downhill the last few years in their on-field performances. The reasons: no more high-stepping (except for the Diamond M, which is a low high-step at best), low uniformity in horn position, and GOOD GOLLY, almost everyone holding pieces of MUSIC on the field.

~It seems like the current director has gradually done away with the traditional high-stepping in spats that made the band unique for decades, in favor of the glide-step. Not sure why. It's boring.

~If they watch tape of their weekly performances (which I hope they still do), you see bells facing almost to the ground all over the place, every game.

~Major pet peeve, anyone in a college marching band can memorize three songs in the span of one week. No frickin paper music should be brought onto the field! If you noticed, not one of Tulsa's band members had music out there. Our guys/gals look sloppy.

I continue to appreciate the dedication of the Hub of SMU Spirit, and know it's a big time commitment with very little reward. As a member of the band in the post-death penalty years ('88-'92), I can honestly say this is just some thought-out criticism with hopes of getting back to the old-school traditions.

Hubba!

Band and Band Alumn, think we should just let you all figure it out. I know alot of us are just happy we still have a band after all those years in the dark...As far as Saturday night, no big deal, I think the two bands just weren't able to coordinate.

well, they do march very fast.

http://www.youplusdallas.com/networks/sports

SmooBoy wrote:This is going to delve way WAY further than people on a football board would want into band dorkdum, but since the thread is started, here goes.

While the band sounds great from the stands, and the playing of Peruna continues to fire up the crowd, I think the band has been going downhill the last few years in their on-field performances. The reasons: no more high-stepping (except for the Diamond M, which is a low high-step at best), low uniformity in horn position, and GOOD GOLLY, almost everyone holding pieces of MUSIC on the field.

~It seems like the current director has gradually done away with the traditional high-stepping in spats that made the band unique for decades, in favor of the glide-step. Not sure why. It's boring.

~If they watch tape of their weekly performances (which I hope they still do), you see bells facing almost to the ground all over the place, every game.

~Major pet peeve, anyone in a college marching band can memorize three songs in the span of one week. No frickin paper music should be brought onto the field! If you noticed, not one of Tulsa's band members had music out there. Our guys/gals look sloppy.

I continue to appreciate the dedication of the Hub of SMU Spirit, and know it's a big time commitment with very little reward. As a member of the band in the post-death penalty years ('88-'92), I can honestly say this is just some thought-out criticism with hopes of getting back to the old-school traditions.

Hubba!

Thanks Smooboy...I didn't know.....The Tulsa song was too long and then they took off with a creesendo (?0 with horns and such...shut the F%^& off and let the Home team do their thing......

ponyscott wrote:

SmooBoy wrote:This is going to delve way WAY further than people on a football board would want into band dorkdum, but since the thread is started, here goes.

While the band sounds great from the stands, and the playing of Peruna continues to fire up the crowd, I think the band has been going downhill the last few years in their on-field performances. The reasons: no more high-stepping (except for the Diamond M, which is a low high-step at best), low uniformity in horn position, and GOOD GOLLY, almost everyone holding pieces of MUSIC on the field.

~It seems like the current director has gradually done away with the traditional high-stepping in spats that made the band unique for decades, in favor of the glide-step. Not sure why. It's boring.

~If they watch tape of their weekly performances (which I hope they still do), you see bells facing almost to the ground all over the place, every game.

~Major pet peeve, anyone in a college marching band can memorize three songs in the span of one week. No frickin paper music should be brought onto the field! If you noticed, not one of Tulsa's band members had music out there. Our guys/gals look sloppy.

I continue to appreciate the dedication of the Hub of SMU Spirit, and know it's a big time commitment with very little reward. As a member of the band in the post-death penalty years ('88-'92), I can honestly say this is just some thought-out criticism with hopes of getting back to the old-school traditions.

Hubba!

Thanks Smooboy...I didn't know.....The Tulsa song was too long and then they took off with a creesendo (?0 with horns and such...shut the F%^& off and let the Home team do their thing......

I just think we're so used to not having another band at Ford, they crossed signals.

SmooBoy wrote:The reasons: no more high-stepping (except for the Diamond M, which is a low high-step at best), low uniformity in horn position, and GOOD GOLLY, almost everyone holding pieces of MUSIC on the field.

~It seems like the current director has gradually done away with the traditional high-stepping in spats that made the band unique for decades, in favor of the glide-step. Not sure why. It's boring.

~If they watch tape of their weekly performances (which I hope they still do), you see bells facing almost to the ground all over the place, every game.

~Major pet peeve, anyone in a college marching band can memorize three songs in the span of one week. No frickin paper music should be brought onto the field! If you noticed, not one of Tulsa's band members had music out there. Our guys/gals look sloppy.

I continue to appreciate the dedication of the Hub of SMU Spirit, and know it's a big time commitment with very little reward. As a member of the band in the post-death penalty years ('88-'92), I can honestly say this is just some thought-out criticism with hopes of getting back to the old-school traditions.

Hubba!

I just noticed this post combined with your avatar; I don't recall seeing any candystripe uniform parts this year so far. Have those been retired for good?

Wuba wrote:

Arkpony wrote:Also the Band showed class by waiting to play Varsity at the end of the game because the Tulsa band began playing their song...finally our band began Varsity because that alma mater of Tulsa is exceedingly LONG and we were all tired of standing around waiting for it to finish. Then after it DID finish they began playing their fight song over Varsity. We showed class...they didn't.

I have seen people mentioned this twice and I do not get it. Tulsa was still playing their alma mater and the SMU band started playing Varsity. How was the SMU band showing class by starting to play while Tulsa was still playing, but Tulsa was not showing class by playing while SMU was playing Varsity?

Who cares? Alma Maters are wa-a-a-a-y over played. Once, at the beginning of the game, is plenty.