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Saturday, February 18, 2006 will be the second annual Mustang Band Experience. Last year there were 10 high school students that participated. This year there will be about 50 high school students attending representing some 20 Dallas area high schools.

The experience consist of a quick campus tour, rehearsal to learn some of the Mustang Band music (Varsity, Peruna, Pony Battle, Star Spangled Banner), dinner with the Mustang Band and then performing with the Mustang Band at the basketball game.

This will be an exciting night as the Mustang Band will have over 100 members performing. They should cover the entire bleacher section.

This is just a quck note to let ponyfans know where all those band members came from.

Awesome! Get 'em pumped up for the basketball game...rowdy high school students can out yell the few SMU students who will be in attendance.

While we're on the topic of the Mustang Band, I'm curious as to whether the band will be at the two away games most of the rest of us will make next year. Specifically, TTech and Tulane?

Please?

I don't think the band is going to TT, but I know for sure they will travel to Tulane.

Whoever scheduled this wasn't very smart with TMEA all state going on this weekend. Could have cost the band some potential recruits.

Easy there chief. We all know most TMEA All-staters at SMU go to Meadows and that rules out the Mustang Band.

White Helmet wrote:Easy there chief. We all know most TMEA All-staters at SMU go to Meadows and that rules out the Mustang Band.

Why can't they do both?

And has anyone ever clarified why the numbers have dwindled over the years, or why there aren't band scholarships? I love the Mustang Band, but it should be twice (at least) its current size. Used to be what, "99 guys and a doll" or somesuch? What's the membership now .... 40? Those who are in it do a terrific job, but SMU should give band scholarships, just like everyone else.

Vitale wrote:

White Helmet wrote:Easy there chief. We all know most TMEA All-staters at SMU go to Meadows and that rules out the Mustang Band.

Why can't they do both?

They could if Meadows professors didn't STRONGLY discourage them from doing so. In some cases, there have even been threats of losing their Music scholarship if they participate in the Band. They make arguments like "it ruins your embouchure" and "you don't have time because of your commitments to Meadows ensembles" -- which doesn't explain why almost every other Music School in the country actually REQUIRES at least a year or two participation in the school's marching band.

Vitale wrote:And has anyone ever clarified why the numbers have dwindled over the years, or why there aren't band scholarships? I love the Mustang Band, but it should be twice (at least) its current size. Used to be what, "99 guys and a doll" or somesuch? What's the membership now .... 40? Those who are in it do a terrific job, but SMU should give band scholarships, just like everyone else.

Where have you been? This is discussed ad nauseum every football season. There about 60-65 current bandsmen. Basically boils down to:

1. Scholarships -- while tuition has skyrocketed over the last 20 years, Mustang Band Scholarships have not increased to keep pace. Little university money is allocated to the Band. If you'd like to help (and see some statistics), go to www.smubandpartnership.com.

2. The Demographic of the Average SMU Student -- Ever wonder why a school with a top notch football program like HPHS has such a teeny band?
Studies show that as income goes up, participation in high school marching bands go down. Band is a middle class (or lower) activity, and with the cost of tuition up, the Band has an increasingly smaller pool to recruit from, and combined with less scholarship money, it's harder to get the middle class band kids who would otherwise go to state schools here.

3. We don't win much. Sometimes recruiting and retention is all about incentives like fun road trips, Bowl Games, tourney appearances, etc. Conference USA will help because the Band will be able to travel to more away games. The other stuff is up to the teams. It's the same reason why it is so hard for us to have consistently great spirit teams and mascots even though I'd wager there are TONS of students who were cheerleaders, etc. in high school. People don't try out because they don't see what's in it for them in exchange for working a little harder than your average SMU student.

4. Apathy is cool at SMU -- It's just not cool to care. At many schools, being a cheerleader or even, yes, in the band is a badge of honor (see dotting the I at Ohio State or the roar of the early arriving Texas Tech crowd when the band comes on the field for PRE-game). Here, it is often a sign of caring too much, i.e. being a geek.

Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex wrote:Whoever scheduled this wasn't very smart with TMEA all state going on this weekend. Could have cost the band some potential recruits.

Actually, it probably doesn't matter. The Mustang Band Experience is full. In fact there were players that contacted the band hall after the cutoff date still wanting to particiapate, but we just can't handle more than the 50 or so that plan to attend. If they were seniors, we signed them up because this would be their last opportunity to participate. All others were told to watch for the experience next year and we would love to have them.


WAY TO GO DIAMONDM. Nice post explaining all the situations. Money, tuition, scholarships, music school attitude, etc. You said it all, and I agree with everything you said.



I can't believe I agreed with everything DiamondM said.

Oh wo is me.

I must need drink.

White Helmet wrote:Easy there chief. We all know most TMEA All-staters at SMU go to Meadows and that rules out the Mustang Band.

Well, not necessarily. There are some of those that won't pursue music but may still want to play in college. Only reason I had mentioned that was because you and I both know what happened with at least 2 of the All Staters that were recruited by the organization and I figure it might not to try and pique the curiousity of those who might have had a slight interest. There are players that fall through the cracks. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. In any case, I'm glad to see they had an overflow. I'll probably drop by to check out this weekend since I have some free time for once.

Your right Rolex. I will probably be there this weekend also with the Future Mrs. White Helmet. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sorry, couldn't help it....

I'd hit it - with spats on.

DiamondM wrote: .... They could if Meadows professors didn't STRONGLY discourage them from doing so....

Or if Bourbon Street ran all the way to Lubbock?

couch 'em wrote:I'd hit it - with spats on.

I think i did hit it.............