Peruna Is Not the Only Thing That May Change

[Statler]

General Blow Hard please don't go messing with the band. It is tradition after all and I like them just the way they were when I went to SMU back in the early 80's. Sound familiar? Seems to me you are on board to mess with some traditions but not others. It is all about you.

Actually Big Ten Pony aka Patton is on Peruna's side. So I give him a pass on the band issue....for now.

[EastStang]

SMU's band has always been small but had quality over quantity. The Aggies can be fooled by a blow of a few whistles into spiralling out of control (If you doubt that ask anyone at the SMU/A&M game in 1974). Sure it needs improvement. In the past there was better cooperation between the band and the music department which apparently some fences are being mended in that area. Big Band swing is a classic sound which if you happen to go to many schools in the mid-Atlantic corridor (Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, UVA, and UNC for example, you will see lots of bands featuring that sound at bars). But it is an acquired taste and some may not like it. But it is unique among college bands and makes SMU distinctive. The Rice MOB is similar to the old UVA pep band (which got banned), the Harvard and Yale bands with non precision marching and humor. I still like their stuff as well. Let's wait for this shoe to drop and see what happens. I would tell Orsini that the Mustang Band makes the Irish Band look like what the horse will do all over the field.

[CalallenStang]

SMU's band has always been small but had quality over quantity. The Aggies can be fooled by a blow of a few whistles into spiralling out of control (If you doubt that ask anyone at the SMU/A&M game in 1974). Sure it needs improvement. In the past there was better cooperation between the band and the music department which apparently some fences are being mended in that area. Big Band swing is a classic sound which if you happen to go to many schools in the mid-Atlantic corridor (Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, UVA, and UNC for example, you will see lots of bands featuring that sound at bars). But it is an acquired taste and some may not like it. But it is unique among college bands and makes SMU distinctive. The Rice MOB is similar to the old UVA pep band (which got banned), the Harvard and Yale bands with non precision marching and humor. I still like their stuff as well. Let's wait for this shoe to drop and see what happens. I would tell Orsini that the Mustang Band makes the Irish Band look like what the horse will do all over the field.

ESPN Announcers at the SMU vs. Notre Dame women's basketball game in 2008 (both SMU and ND bands were present):

"The SMU Band has done a truly amazing job today!"

No mention of the ND band even being in the building.

[Dooby]

If it were up to me, the SMU band would not do costume changes during games. If it were up to me, I would insist that the Music Department encourage its students to be in the band rather than discourage them. If it were up to me, the SMU band would play some different music selections.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Statler I hear the limitations that the band deals with. I really liked our band when I was here but something changed. I guess I haven't looked at them the same way after the Fiddler on the Roof mess.

That's my issue. Maybe I liked their theme and when that happened they gave up something. But I want the university to treat them right.

The Band underwent a significant culture starting in 1995 when they brought in a Director that didn't have ties to SMU(On a side note, he was a Big 10 grad) and it seemed that the Band lost a little something and there has been some changes, without question. Currently, they have an alum but I am still debating as to whether or not it has been a good thing or not. On the flip side, I do think that they sound better.

[SmooBoy]

If it were up to me, the SMU band would not do costume changes during games. If it were up to me, I would insist that the Music Department encourage its students to be in the band rather than discourage them. If it were up to me, the SMU band would play some different music selections.

Glad it's not up to you.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

If it were up to me, the SMU band would not do costume changes during games. If it were up to me, I would insist that the Music Department encourage its students to be in the band rather than discourage them. If it were up to me, the SMU band would play some different music selections.

The problem with that idea is that SMU's music school is not like the typical music schools that TCU,Baylor and UNT have because it is conservatory based. In other words, they're more interested in making orchetral players...not band directors. At schools like the aforementioned, they actually do require their musicians to do at least a year of marching band. Personally, I think it would be a disaster to require such a thing.

As for the music selections, I think some changes need to be made there because I get tired of hearing the same stand tunes year in and year out. Not only in football but basketball as well.

[DiamondM75]

The main problem with the current M Band is the university. If it weren't for the Diamond M Club, the M Band would be fielding a band of 50. The M Band scholarship budget has only increased around 50% since the early 80's while tuition costs have increased 1,000%. That is not a typo. Tuition in the 80's was $1,500 and now it is $15,000+ per semester. So the current M Band scholarship budget should be $1.5 million. Call Don Hopkins and ask if his scholarship budget is $1.5 million. The laughter on the phone will be deafining.

The kids in the band now are getting the same scholarship money that members received in the 70's and 80's. That is sad.

If the university wants a TCU, BAYLOR, NTSU, any Texas High School style, 200+ member band, then they will have to fund it. I just wish they would fund what they have and see what a product Don could put on the field. If you want an idea, just make sure you attend homecoming and listen to the combined M Band and Alumni Band.

[abezontar]

I heard the Alumni Band wasn't getting to march this year.

[DiamondM75]

I heard the Alumni Band wasn't getting to march this year.

The alumni band didn't march last year either. They just walk onto the field and play with the M Band and then walk off. Much easier to teach the old dogs and the M Band doesn't have to learn a new Diamond M set just for one game.

[mustangbill67]

I do not know if there is any connection between the Band and the Meadow's School of Music. I do know that Meadows is internationally acclaimed and does much to enhance the academic reputation of SMU. It is a Music program we should all embrace.

I do not know how the Band Department is set up or funded but I agree that in addition to Meadows we need a strong, vibrant, well funded Band. This goes hand in hand with a top 25 athletic program. It should be a priority not an afterthought.

[Dooby]

My only point regarding the music school is that we all know they openly discourage its students from joining the band and I think that is wrong. If someone studies piano at Meadows and wants to play trumpet in the Mustang Band, there is no reason he shouldn't be allowed to.

[fivemon]

ya i believe a bigger band would be a huge help to making them louder and would make me more supportive of them

[KnuckleStang]

ya i believe a bigger band would be a huge help to making them louder and would make me more supportive of them

At the SFA game, I didn't have a problem hearing them. There is nothing wrong with the Mustang Band. Next topic

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

My only point regarding the music school is that we all know they openly discourage its students from joining the band and I think that is wrong. If someone studies piano at Meadows and wants to play trumpet in the Mustang Band, there is no reason he shouldn't be allowed to.

In the example presented, there would be no discouragement. In fact, I have known a few that have done that and without any kind of repercussions. The discouragement was coming from when they were playing their main instrument. That seems to have changed somewhat. In fact, I know that we have a few Meadows kids in the band right now that are in the band and, to be fair, they've always had them. The one thing to keep in mind is whether or not the kids actually want to do it. A vast majority of the kids that go to study there just want to play and don't want to deal with something like marching band. For those kind of kids, that's why SMU is attractive to them.