
Mustang Band ain't what it used to be
Moderators: PonyPride, SmooPower
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- Heisman
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- DallasDiehard
- Heisman
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I love the Band, its traditions and everything it represents. With that said, I just wish:
* Money would fall out of the sky (or a rich alum's pocket) to fund scholarships so the Band could double in size/membership.
* The band would play more modern, upbeat music. The Broadway tributes and Beach Boys revivals are great -- the band sounds terrific playing them -- but something that would help get the fans amped up a little would be awesome. Next time the Band plays in the Meyerson or something, bang out all the Broadway tunes you want. But when teams come into Ford Stadium, their fans tend to really react and interact with their bands when a certain song is played. We need a reaction like that, and I just assume music selection is a factor in that.
* Sousaphones -- is there a reason our band doesn't use them? I'm sure the "marching tubas" (or whatever those things are called) are less expensive, but surely alums could be found to sponsor an instrument here or there, right? I'm not saying I want to hear nothing but Sousaphones, but they go a long way toward creating the look of a college band, and you can make the band LOOK more active with any movement/choreography (on the field, in the stands .... whatever), because those things are so damn big, all movements are exaggerated.
Anyway, just my two cents.
* Money would fall out of the sky (or a rich alum's pocket) to fund scholarships so the Band could double in size/membership.
* The band would play more modern, upbeat music. The Broadway tributes and Beach Boys revivals are great -- the band sounds terrific playing them -- but something that would help get the fans amped up a little would be awesome. Next time the Band plays in the Meyerson or something, bang out all the Broadway tunes you want. But when teams come into Ford Stadium, their fans tend to really react and interact with their bands when a certain song is played. We need a reaction like that, and I just assume music selection is a factor in that.
* Sousaphones -- is there a reason our band doesn't use them? I'm sure the "marching tubas" (or whatever those things are called) are less expensive, but surely alums could be found to sponsor an instrument here or there, right? I'm not saying I want to hear nothing but Sousaphones, but they go a long way toward creating the look of a college band, and you can make the band LOOK more active with any movement/choreography (on the field, in the stands .... whatever), because those things are so damn big, all movements are exaggerated.
Anyway, just my two cents.
Rise up, Mustang Nation!
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- DiamondM75
- Hall of Famer
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Don't hold your breath for Sousaphones. These are very large and heavy instruments that do not have the same sound as tubas. (Yes, they are called tubas) The high stepping fast paced style of marching that is performed by the Mustang Band can not be performed with the awkward heavy sousaphones. They might look great in the stands, but are very impractical for high step marching on the field.
The music style of the Mustang Band is Big Band, Jazz and Rock. (No show tunes) I agree that it would be nice to find some tunes that create a reaction from the fans (other that Peruna). This is accomplished by trial and error. Whenever a tune gets praise from the audience, that tune becomes a regular in the music book. Our fans seem to like tunes that have solo performances where the soloist can take a jazz type "ride" or "improv", so the band has these type of tunes in the book.
If you have some suggestions of music, our assistant director and arranger (Mr. Tommy Tucker) can try to arrange something. Believe me, the Mustang Band is there to entertain the fans and support the teams, and are open to fan suggestions.
Please keep in touch.
The music style of the Mustang Band is Big Band, Jazz and Rock. (No show tunes) I agree that it would be nice to find some tunes that create a reaction from the fans (other that Peruna). This is accomplished by trial and error. Whenever a tune gets praise from the audience, that tune becomes a regular in the music book. Our fans seem to like tunes that have solo performances where the soloist can take a jazz type "ride" or "improv", so the band has these type of tunes in the book.
If you have some suggestions of music, our assistant director and arranger (Mr. Tommy Tucker) can try to arrange something. Believe me, the Mustang Band is there to entertain the fans and support the teams, and are open to fan suggestions.
Please keep in touch.
Just send 'da money.
- DiamondM75
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PonyPride wrote:Didn't they play "Maria" (from West Side Story) at halftime of the UTEP game?DiamondM75 wrote: .... The music style of the Mustang Band is Big Band, Jazz and Rock. (No show tunes)....
Yes, but it was a jazz version of Maria, not the broadway style show tune. When I said they don't play show tunes, I meant in the broadway style.
Just send 'da money.
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- All-American
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- DiamondM75
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