The Band

[SMU Spartan]

Of all things last night you decided to focus on the band as being the problem? We must have watched two different games...

[Statler]

It seems like it gets smaller every year..

You cannot count.

Ten years ago the Mustang Band marched 62..that's right 62. Today they march 92.

[DiamondM]

Look, the band is like a family. We may gripe at each other, but we'll defend them against unconstructive, uninformed attacks from others.

Anyone who sits near me knows that I am not always pleased with what the band does in the stands (admittedly part of the problem is that the band is told when to play and when not to play through headphones by game management -- who we already know have competence issues, but that is not the whole issue), but I try to take my issues directly to the director rather than air it out here.

I will say this though. The band does 1 thing that the students actually participate in en masse, and what do the rest of the fans do? Do they join in so it could be our "thing?" No they sit on their butts and complain about how silly it is. If the whole stadium would do it, it would be a pretty cool tradition -- silly as it is.

[Pony ^]

It seems like it gets smaller every year..

You cannot count.

Ten years ago the Mustang Band marched 62..that's right 62. Today they march 92.

No way that was 92 people. They filled up maybe 3 rows in one section

[SMULaxer]

We've already eliminated a majority on their in game performance. Maybe they ought to have fan polls for their halftime shows. Didn't you band guys watch drumline? Ask nick cannon for some inspiration.

[Pony147]

It seems like it gets smaller every year..

You cannot count.

Ten years ago the Mustang Band marched 62..that's right 62. Today they march 92.

No way that was 92 people. They filled up maybe 3 rows in one section

The band has 92 members this year. That is a fact. Get over it.

[malonish]

Seriously, never been a huge fan of our band and they seem to me going down hill. It's to the point where there aren't enough of them, so either step up and beef them up or get rid of the band. It's embarrassing when they take up 1/8th of one seating block the student section.

The song selection during halftime was horrible and is a contributor to driving people out of the stadium.

I understand where you are coming from but this in no way impacts the student section decision to leave at halftime.

[SMUer]

Were they all at home sick?

[malonish]

Were they all at home sick?

Nope. Trust me that the Diamond M was the largest in recent memory. That alone proves the size. They were squashed in today because of the crowd in my opinion.

[ClassOf81]

Whatever. Halftime is for finding something to drink and the men's room.

I'm far more concerned with the injuries to Rambo and Shead and Lancaster.

[soccermom]

I will say this though. The band does 1 thing that the students actually participate in en masse, and what do the rest of the fans do? Do they join in so it could be our "thing?" No they sit on their butts and complain about how silly it is. If the whole stadium would do it, it would be a pretty cool tradition -- silly as it is.[/quote]
True. It looks fun, too. I know in the 4th quarter the students were doing some cheer and then pointing to the home side, but no response.

[photopony]

You'll never see a modern marching band on our field. The directors and the few alumni that give money to the program are all old band alumni who yearn for the good old days where the band wears suits and plays "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." It is was it is.

[soccermom]

I love our band. Would I like for it to be bigger & louder? Yes. Do I want them to march like every other band around? Heck no. Do I think we need to constantly put it down? Absolutely not. Hey, try this: next time the band plays Peruna or the fight song, clap to it, sing the words to the fight song. Stand and cheer them when they march on the field. These kids are volunteers who do this because they want to and really we need to support what is ours....thank you to all of our band members!

[I'm4Peruna]

I love our band. Would I like for it to be bigger & louder? Yes. Do I want them to march like every other band around? Heck no. Do I think we need to constantly put it down? Absolutely not. Hey, try this: next time the band plays Peruna or the fight song, clap to it, sing the words to the fight song. Stand and cheer them when they march on the field. These kids are volunteers who do this because they want to and really we need to support what is ours....thank you to all of our band members!

+1

[RE Tycoon]

Seriously, never been a huge fan of our band and they seem to me going down hill. It's to the point where there aren't enough of them, so either step up and beef them up or get rid of the band. It's embarrassing when they take up 1/8th of one seating block the student section.

The song selection during halftime was horrible and is a contributor to driving people out of the stadium.

I understand where you are coming from but this in no way impacts the student section decision to leave at halftime.

The selections just bore me to tears, and I endure it, but I heard someone sitting near me say,"this is terrible, I got to get out of here", and that person never returned. Not blaming the band for our fandom's horrible apathy, but with no cell service, watching the band is all most people have to keep themselves from leaving. When the band is playing blue hair lullabies, one more reason for people to get up, and once that happens it's all over.