Seriously, about the band.

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:55 pm

I had no idea what a hornet's nest I was disturbing asking why the band plays such a small selection. I have nothing against the band, and I don't think the question is the least bit insulting, so cancel all plans for my funeral.

That being said, I would love a straight answer from a band member - past or present. Is there some limitation, financial or otherwise, on what the band can play?

And also - what tradition could possibly be harmed by a little variety? I'm not suggesting we abandon Peruna or anything of the sort - but even the best traditions can be adapted and improved upon. Just because "we always do something" doesn't mean its the best option.

I don't think playing a different march, a fun take on a popular song, etc. would put a freeze on giving. That argument carries no weight.

More songs = more fun at games = more student attendance = MORE SUPPORT FOR A WINNING TEAM.

by **abezontar** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:01 pm

No offense but your idea that what the band plays effects whether the students show up is about as accurate as saying the flap of a butterfly's wings sitting on an orchid in Malaysia will cause SMU to go undefeated from here on out.

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:04 pm

abezontar wrote:No offense but your idea that what the band plays effects whether the students show up is about as accurate as saying the flap of a butterfly's wings sitting on an orchid in Malaysia will cause SMU to go undefeated from here on out.

Its whether the students stay or not. Look, there's 3 or 4 college football games on TV at the same time as SMU on any given Saturday. What makes going to an SMU game (and staying past halftime) fun is the experience. The Boulevard is a perfect example of this. Its not just about football, its a social thing, its fun.

The band is right there next to the students. We hear them loud an clear. I can confidently say that a greater variety of music will make the student section a more fun place to be, and more students will stay.

by **gostangs** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:13 pm

Right....Like Joe Q Frat guy, who was thnking about leaving at half to go meet some Pi Phis and see if he can get them drunk and "happy", is going to wait until to see if the band might eventually play a really neato Star Wars song.

by **abezontar** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:17 pm

The only song I have ever seen students clamour and stick around for is Barbara Ann. Consequently, we played it every week, and the students cheered; drove me absolutely nuts cause the horn part sucked. However, if you will stick around through halftime, between quarters, and after the game for the post game concert you will hear a lot of variety. Another thing I would suggest is going to Pigskin Revue at Homecoming if you want to get even more variety from the Mustang Band.

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:19 pm

Wrong again. If theres more to the game experience than Joe Q being wasted and shouting - little miss Pi Phi is likely to stay. Start with a cover of Hey Ya, see how positive the reaction will be.

Lots of poking holes at my theory - no one saying why it can't be done.

by **abezontar** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:21 pm

SMUltimedia wrote:Wrong again. If theres more to the game experience than Joe Q being wasted and shouting - little miss Pi Phi is likely to stay. Start with a cover of Hey Ya, see how positive the reaction will be.

Lots of poking holes at my theory - no one saying why it can't be done.

Were you ever a musician?

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:24 pm

Abez - I didn't see your second post when I responded to the Joe Q fratguy business - thanks for the input.

And to answer your question, no. Not since the 5th grade, or something like that, why do you ask?

by **Col. Nathan R. Jessep** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:26 pm

SMUltimedia wrote:Would it be so hard for the SMU band to play more than the fight song and Mustang Sally, etc. during football games?

Most college bands have a repetoire that includes classic favorites like the Imperial Death March from Star Wars, Black Sabbath's Iron Man and other fun songs to get the crowd into it.

Little jazzy ditties and the same 2 SMU spirit songs make me want to leap from the top of Ford by about the midpoint of the 2nd Quarter.

Band folks - is there a legitimate reason for this? It really drives myself (and PLENTY of other students) nuts.

---------

Shut the F%^k up.

The band has hung in during all the losing seasons. Personally, I like whatever they play because they play EACH song with Passion.

I'm hoping they will be in N.O. because, based on "MNF" tonite, the New Orleans folks are becoming rabid FB fans.

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:28 pm

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

I'm not insulting anyone, so calm down. I respect the Mustang Band for what they do - and have done for spirit and tradition. Excuse the hell out of me for asking an honest question about whether there is a reasonable way to improve. Sheesh.

by **couch 'em** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:32 pm

SMUltimedia wrote:no one saying why it can't be done.

Nobody is saying it can't be done. It is quite possible. Also possible is them only playing Bach music and replacing the cheer leaders with all fat chicks, making the blvd dry, or replacing Peruna with "a cool full-sized stallion like Texas Tech and everyone else has!"

I agree that they could sound better or pick some better music. Those all come down to recruiting, which comes down to $$$ - the band has pretty much none.

Have you ever been to a football game with a band that plays crap like "hey ya"? I have, litterally. The student section reaction was pretty much the same as at SMU.

Next you are going to suggest that they were uniforms like eveyrone else or play a new fight song. THE BAND HAS NO EFFECT ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE. come on!

by **SMUltimedia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:35 pm

No - I'm not. But thank you for answering the question. I still disagree that the band doesn't affect attendance. I think anything that improves the overall game experience will improve attendance. Don't you agree that having no band would have a negative effect on attendance?

Does recruiting for the band work in more or less the same way as recruiting for athletics? Do we have a limitied number of scholarships vs. walk-on members?

by **couch 'em** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:41 pm

SMUltimedia wrote:Does recruiting for the band work in more or less the same way as recruiting for athletics? Do we have a limitied number of scholarships vs. walk-on members?

The band has a set amount of money they can give for scholarships. They have to give them because the demographic at SMU pretty much the opposite of the demographic of marching bands, so they have to try to get people to go to SMU, or convince those who do not really want to be in it to give it a try and hopefully stay. The average yearly band scholarship about covers books, i.e. it is nothing.

by **Col. Nathan R. Jessep** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:49 pm

MEDIA:

This band shows up, regardless of weather, win/loss, home/away, etc.

H*ll, for the most part, they do not even get 100% support from their own SMU Music Dept.

For myself, I cannot play a single musical instrument nor can ANY of my kids. But I appreciate the bands effort.

Suggetsion MEDIA- volunteer, go do a better job, or like I said... Shut the F!!! Up

by **smu diamond m** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:16 pm

The band plays the music that the members of the band like to play. A bandsman is a unique breed here, we're here because we want to be, we love the Mustang Band, it's traditions, and everything it has stood for since 1917 (in it's current form since 1958). We're all musicians, and instead of playing simple songs that involve 2 notes over and over ("contemporary") we like playing hard swingin' charts that musicians and others alike can enjoy. If you don't like it, leave before the end of the game like you do anyways and you don't have to listen.

Seriously, about the band.

Re: Seriously, about the band.

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