Old Band Guy Speaks (Warning - A Very Long Post)

[San Antonio Mustang]

I hope the Band is able to make the trip. If they do it will probably be because they were able to get some large donations. Since the Athletic Department looses money each year I think it is doubtful that the University will be able to pay their way. To me that does not mean the University, the Athletic Department, the football program, and the fans do not appreciate the Band. It is more a product of the economic times and our competition - The Cowboys. We only get 15 - 20 K fans in our stadium. Why is that? In part it is because the show (the team, the band, etc.) has not been sufficiently entertaining to attract alums and non-alums. People would rather spend their money and time on the Cowboys than SMU. Until there is enough interest to fill the stadium and get lucrative TV coverage the Athletic Department and the University will not be able to cover the Band's expenses no matter how much they would like to.

I hope you will be successful in getting major donors to pay for the trip. If you do not, I hope you will go to work on getting major donors for next year. We will be going to a bowl again next year and the year after, etc. We all should add the band to our contribution list. Email is cheap. I have never received a solicitation by mail or email for the band. Why not have and annual campaign and email every SMU Alum? Another thing we can all do, including band members and their supporters, is work to get our employers to buy season tickets - the more expensive the better.

[CalallenStang]

To me that does not mean the University...do not appreciate the Band

Please explain why the University has not given a meaningful increase to the band's budget (even an increase to match inflation) since the early 1980s.

[RGV Pony]

To me that does not mean the University...do not appreciate the Band

Please explain why the University has not given a meaningful increase to the band's budget (even an increase to match inflation) since the early 1980s.

The answer to that question is also the solution to the problem. Everyone knows how much I admire LSU's band, and its contribution to gameday at home and on the road. Why is it such a presence? Here's why, from an article I'll link below:

LSU Athletics places a high value on the Tiger Band which is evidenced by the fact that the LSU Athletic Department funds the band at a higher rate than any other school in the Southeastern Conference. In addition, the Athletic Department has committed $4.5 million to the construction of a new band hall, making it the single largest contributor to that project.

That said, one could draw the line that SMU athletics, in turn, does NOT place a high value on the Mustang band. When I googled some things to compare, I noticed the at Kentucky, all band travel is covered by the university, which places a "high priority on the band."

So the solution is someone needs to put a high priority on the Mustang Band as it relates to athletics.

article on LSU band, and how it went to Seattle:
http://www.tigerroar.com/tigertown/read.php?c=36

[MustangStealth]

If the Band doesn't go to Hawaii who will play the music for our newly bought, 1 month "tradition" of Cowboys dancing on the saddles of Cowpoke and Maybell while waving lassos and Cowboy hats to rhythmic music.

I believe the plan is for June to ride into the stadium standing on the saddles of Poncho and Lefty while "O Fortuna" plays over the PA. When he reaches midfield he will ascend majestically into the pressbox while smoke machines and lasers produce glowing clouds around him.

Oh, and the football team may be there also.

[WorldStang]

Why not throw this to the DMN - they loved talking about the Mascot uproar - this should float their boat and help get some public support from Alums that don't read Ponyfans.

[arlington pony fan]

The mustangs trip to the game is being covered by Mrs. Pickens. I love our band and don't think the game would be the same without them playing. And they deserve national exposure too. If they are available to come then, I would think some alums could step up to the plate and get them to Hawaii.

[Water Pony]

The Mustang Band still plays in the worst rehearsal hall in the USA. M Band plays under a swimming pool with supports about to crumble. Many former M Band members suffer from loss of hearing from playing in that rathole under the Natatorium. Event though it has no money, no rehearsal venue, lack of support from many of the SMU Community including the AD Dept headed by the mob boss, STEVE ORSINI, the MUSTANG BAND CONTINUES TO BE 'THE PRIDE OF DALLAS," "THE HUB OF SMU SPIRIT," AND "THE BEST DRESSED BAND IN THE LAND."

I might add "... and, the horse you rode in on". Agree with everything in the post and at the risk of piling on, we need a NEW NATORATIUM for the Mens' and Women's Swimming and Diving Teams, permitting The Hub of SMU Spirit to get their long deserved rehearsal hall.

Our ability to be Div. 1 with the both the SMU Band and Swimming Teams depends on investing in the facilities and organizations that will represent us a Top 25 University in all we do. The practical life cycle for Perkins Natatorium expired expired shortly after the sixties. The structure is probably 70-80 years old.

Thanks for the post. Loved it.

[DiamondM75]

....Email is cheap. I have never received a solicitation by mail or email for the band. Why not have and annual campaign and email every SMU Alum?...

This would require cooperation from the Office of Development. So, Statler, while you are sending your post to Orsini and Turner, don't forget to include Brad Cheaves.

[ponyboy]

A great and impassioned post, Statler. I admit having not read every post here of late (primarily due to this stupid iPhone), but has ANYONE here spoken out against our incredible band? I certainly haven't seen a post. I do admit not understanding the fuss about Peruna and the "geldings.". But I have been accused of being dimwitted before.

By the way, if I had any criticism of the band at all, it would be this: Stop playing Crazy Train and the like and get back to the jazz standards that put our great band on the national map. THAT'S tradition.

[bubba pony]

When did this fact come to be? I ask because I have to pay for a band members return home for Christmas trip and the air fare continues to increase as the band, or athletic department, or whomever, dithers on an announced decision.

We have not been even invited to a Bowl game...so how could they be "dithering" on a decision? If we bought all the airline tickets and then ended up not going to Hawaii everyone would be hollering "those idiots...why did they do that before we even made it?".

SMU already knows how much money it will cost to fly and accommodate the football team and if they want the band/cheerleaders/pep squad/whatever. They already know that JJ only wants the Hawaii bowl. Would turn down the liberty bowl if he had won the CUSA championship. SMU already knows the income from CUSA and Hawaii Bowl that ponyfans members only speculate. Add it all together and tell the band and others that if we go to the Hawaii Bowl you are going/not going whichever. It was stated that it is a ‘FACT’ the band is not going and if we were not yet invited why the FACT.

[Canadian Mustang]

Very impassioned post. But to me it's a little inward looking. "those who don't understand", etc. - it's everybody else's fault. If people don't appreciate the band, that is as much the band's fault as anyone else's. I'd suggest you guys do a little work to make yourselves more important and loved by the overall community (I'm not just talking about people who post on this board).

Anyhow, hope you make it to the islands.

[SMU Cyclist]

What we have here is a difference of opinion. We should all repect each others viewpoint on these issues. Slanderous talk regarding our athletic director, our coach and Madeleine Pickens should not be tolerated. With your negative remarks, you diminish your argument to a petulent rant. Medeleine Pickens' organization is a valuable and necessary attempt to save wild Mustangs. I take great umbrage in negative discussion about someone's noble attempt on our behalf to save our mascot (the real ones.)

As a Meadows school of the Arts employee, I have heard the pros and cons of the band and the relationship to the Arts school for years. I am not involved in any of those decisions, just an available ear. I like the band and bands at athletic events, but feel that due to some long ago contentious relationships with other campus entities, whether athletics or Meadows, the Mustang Band, has been forced into a bunker mentality due to these challenges. Unfortunately, the intense music curriculum does not allow music majors time for the Mustang Band. These challenging circumstances has caused The Mustang Band to repond negatively to outside suggestions, and these responses to what the band offers the University has almost marginalized it. Not a fault of the directors or musicians, but a cultural shift. These restraints have not allowed it, (or many other bands for that matter) to respond to the continually changing landscape in college football ( a thesis opportunity is seen)

One of our alumni at Meadows wrote a dynamic (but alas, recorded only) fight anthem that could get the crowd in a feverish pitch for the team, but isn't used partly because the band has maintained an archaic attitude about music at football games, one more suited for leather helmets and 2-way players. Granted, music could be argued as being better for a band back then.

I have determined that the SMU fanbase as it appears on this website is much more conservative than I am, hence my disagreements on uniforms, the shetland, music choices and other items ad nauseum. I accept that and find no real fault with traditionalist.

Despite our areas of disagreements, I value your opinion because it come from a love for the University. Those of us who want to see change have no less love for the University, just a different vision. The proper vision is ultimately the one that creates the most viable opportunity for success.

[RGV Pony]

Unfortunately, the intense music curriculum does not allow music majors time for the Mustang Band.

and yet our football team's center will finish his playing days a couple of months before receiving his MBA.

[The Spaz]

Three Points

[1] ...but feel that due to some long ago contentious relationships with other campus entities, whether athletics or Meadows, the Mustang Band, has been forced into a bunker mentality due to these challenges...

[2] Unfortunately, the intense music curriculum does not allow music majors time for the Mustang Band.

[3] One of our alumni at Meadows wrote a dynamic (but alas, recorded only) fight anthem that could get the crowd in a feverish pitch for the team, but isn't used partly because the band has maintained an archaic attitude about music at football games, one more suited for leather helmets and 2-way players.

1) I am going to totally agree with you here. There is a huge "us against the world" mentality in the Mustang Band. A lot of it has to do with how small we are, how different we are compared to other bands, and basically our lack of gratitude from the rest of SMU campus (which, in itself, is a "bunker sentiment," but one I think is true.

2) Probably a true statement, however, I have heard from more Meadows students that the way we play pretty much ruins a regular players chops. It's hard for any classical player to hear about how hard and loud we play (I have bleeding lips stories) and then honestly want to join. This is their career, and I'd say the majority would rather try and stay on the safe side (I would).

3) If you are referring to "Mighty Mustang Thunder," then you have completely oversold it. I played that when it came through and it was boring to everyone and exciting to no one. It sounded like any other fight song and died a well deserved death.

[Statler]

This is fact (for IPP and others who doubt --- I speak facts when it comes to the M Band) - as of today the Athletic Dep is NOT Paying for the band to go to a bowl game

When did this fact come to be? I ask because I have to pay for a band members return home for Christmas trip and the air fare continues to increase as the band, or athletic department, or whomever, dithers on an announced decision. If the band director knew this information sometime ago, and failed to level with the band members, I would be rightfully irritated that anyone associated with this decision was so disingenuous by leading the band members on with false hope. Finally, if this is a fact, when will it be announced, which I assume is followed by a request for donations?

Please read my post more carefully. What I said was a fact was that as of yesterday evening the M Band was not going. Look, the situation can change and someone can pony up with the cash or the school takes the hit and sends the band.