Band Size

[RGV Pony]

The band will be fielding 87 members this year. A number of freshmen were all-state players in high school, so the band's recruiting is improving along with the football and b-ball teams. Like DiamondM75 said, if you want to see it continue to grow, visit diamondmclub.org and help us out with scholarships for these talented and spirited students.

So it grew by 18 one year, then by 10 the next, then this year by....1?? What gives? Did they recruit some nonqualifiers who didn't make it? Injuries? Eligibility?

[smu diamond m]

The band will be fielding 87 members this year. A number of freshmen were all-state players in high school, so the band's recruiting is improving along with the football and b-ball teams. Like DiamondM75 said, if you want to see it continue to grow, visit diamondmclub.org and help us out with scholarships for these talented and spirited students.

So it grew by 18 one year, then by 20 the next, then this year by....1?? What gives? Did they recruit some nonqualifiers who didn't make it? Injuries? Eligibility?

Someone typo'd; the 86/87 number is this year ('07-'08). If I weren't too tired to think about it, I'd know the actual number. We're big(ger). You'll notice at the Tech game. And as always, we're plenty good and loud

[Mustangunner]

All the band needs to do is make sure Katye Rohr steps on the field and were in good shape

[MrMustang1965]

All the band needs to do is make sure Katye Rohr steps on the field and were in good shape

Went to high school with her father (John) and her uncle (Rick) and was in band with them. She's quite a looker! Her grandfather made the Mustang Band what it was/is along with Dr. Dreibrodt.

[Longtime]

"I'd rather have a small band that can outplay the bigger bands..."

Blah blah blah. That's called compensating.

I'd rather have a band that can be HEARD over the larger bands. Who cares if you can "outplay" the other bands when you can barely be heard from across the field? You sit opposite Baylor's band and you're going to hear them, like it or not. I sit on the pressbox side at Ford every year and the only time the sound level of the Mustang Band grabs your attention is when the alumni band plays along with them.

Warm bodies? Bring'em on. While we should all be grateful for the loyal band members who've stuck it out in the post-DP era, nothing is more deflating than seeing a DISD-sized band representing SMU at halftime. It makes people think SMU is small-time, that we can't even field a decent-sized band. When the numbers are really low, get some more people on the field to project a positive image. If they can also play an instrument, even better.

Look, I dig the Mustang Band as much as anyone. I would hate to see it turn into an oversized, generic band like most colleges have. I dig the character and style of the Mustang Band and it truly is the hub of SMU spirit. Even in our lowest moments, the band has always been there for SMU.

I would love to see the SMU band get up to 96 members and beyond. I am thrilled to see the band's numbers increasing. That must take a lot of work at a truly apathetic campus like SMU's. I can appreciate that although the Band is not an extension of Meadows, there is a focus on musicianship. We're not just throwing a ragtag group out there and calling it a marching band.

But let's not kid ourselves into thinking a 60-person band is better than a 300-member band. In a concert hall, yes. In an oversized venue like a football stadium, no.

[Peruna2001]

So it grew by 18 one year, then by 20 the next, then this year by....1?? What gives? Did they recruit some nonqualifiers who didn't make it? Injuries? Eligibility?

I've talked to a couple of people that were in the band last year and should be this year. Practice has changed to something like 2-3 in the afternoon which is causing scheduling conflicts with other classes. I'm not sure how many people this will affect.

[DiamondM75]

My bad on the band size. I have all the years one year off. The correct band sizes are:

2005-06 58
2006-07 76
2007-08 87

So the band grew by 11 this year, not one.

[jtstang]

I think they should play more Elvis.

[mrydel]

I think they should play more Elvis.

Jailhouse Rock is big at UT!

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

I'd rather have a band that can be HEARD over the larger bands. Who cares if you can "outplay" the other bands when you can barely be heard from across the field? You sit opposite Baylor's band and you're going to hear them, like it or not. I sit on the pressbox side at Ford every year and the only time the sound level of the Mustang Band grabs your attention is when the alumni band plays along with them.

No one is kidding themselves that a 60 member band is better than a 300 member band. Let's be real, it does make a difference. The point I was trying to make is that numbers don't equate with being better.However, there were times when the band could outblow and outplay a band 2-3xs it size and not even blink.

My point was that if you want the band to reach a similar level of excellence from its history, then you need to get the best musicians you can get, just not take people for the sake of taking people. If I'm going to have a 96 piece band, then I want it to be where all 96 are out there playing their best and giving everything they got and leaving nothing behind. Anything else, would be unacceptible, thus the warm bodies comment. Do that and you'll be just "another generic college band," the very thing you are preaching against.

[EastStang]

For years it was 98 guys and a doll. We need to get back to 98 instruments and one twirler (Guys and Dolls).

[Webmaster]

I make it a point not to jump on the board and editorialize, but the band is a huge pet peeve for my wife and I.

First off, it's beyond belief that Don Hopkins and Tommy Tucker would allow anything less than perfection on the field. The Mustang Band is and will always be The Best Band... period ...In The Land.

But when the band from some hopped up junior college like UTEP can sit in the far corner of the stadium and completely drown us out, well, enough is enough!! In my opinion, we need the best 99 musicians in the school + a twirler... At the very least.

Further, as a Meadows graduate, I find it treasonous that my school was so vigorously discouraging Meadows students from playing in the band. What do they think is going to happen; some trumpet player gonna accidentally sprain a lip muscle? Sunburn going to keep them from performing in the orchestra?? That's gotta stop if it's still going on. Can't hardly express what a great PR move it was for the new Meadows Dean, Jose Bowen, to get out their and play with the band (even despite technical issues). He should do an encore performance this year.

I should probably get off my soapbox now, but I'm with Longtime on this one. SMU, SMU, MUS-TANG BAND!!!

[Mexmustang]

Thanks for making my day! "sunburn", "split lip", "lip mussle pulls". What is Meadows positon and why would the school permit it? Just anti-athletics still?

[DiamondM75]

Unfortunately the Meadows decision is not a school policy, but individual professor's policy. Some music professors believe that playing loud ruins your chops thus hindering your "classical" sound.

I just can't imagine how much talent is being lost because talented musicians can not afford SMU, but, with a scholarship from Meadows along with a scholarship from the Mustang Band, these students could possibly afford SMU.

[Mexmustang]

OK, I'll bite, what's his name? Seems silly, don't jog, you might ruin your dance step, don't sing the National Anthem, it might ruin your voice, etc.
What is his hold over the students? grades? sounds like someone needs to investigate this.