The Band

[LHS81]

I love a good catfight

[Clown College]

If happy little Blue Birds
Fly over the Rainbow
Why on why, can't I

[smumustang1980]

Is there a bat signal that goes off when someone criticizes the band on here to signal band supporters that they need to login and defend the band? Honest question. Is it an email distribution list, group text message, phone tree? Seems like there is something and I am just curious.

No, we are loyal to SMU and our traditions... My life is too busy to communicate with anyone except at homecoming or at the end of a game when the Mustang Band plays Varsity and Shanty.

If you are paranoid, you have a good reason to continue in this direction. I hope I die in the stands, watching the Mustangs while listening to the Mustang Band play "Peruna" and "Shanty Town"... And, I will defend the Mustang Band to the ends of the earth. This does not mean I am opposed to improvement as long as tradition is respected.

You will never understand. And, I am not trying to exclude you. I grew up watching the Mustangs, and listening to the Mustang Band since I was four. I've seen more games home and away than I care to count. My brother was in the band. I was in the band. I fought like hell against Ken Pye with other alumni to save the football program. I knew the death of Mustang Football would mean the ultimate demise of the Mustang Band.

There's no system here, save for passion.

Montana State Of Out Hell The Beat!

[smumustang1980]

Is there a bat signal that goes off when someone criticizes the band on here to signal band supporters that they need to login and defend the band? Honest question. Is it an email distribution list, group text message, phone tree? Seems like there is something and I am just curious.

I wasn't really expecting there to be much defense of that shameful performance on Friday, but I was wrong.

Sir, the only thing shameful are your comments and attitude.

[smumustang1980]

TO THE MODS---Having a son with special needs and working with students with challenges, I take exception to the term " (deleted) autistic". Why is it acceptable to degrade those with challenges but not June Jones?

I second this Gentleman's comments.

[ponyboy]

I for one am very proud of our band.

[mustang addict]

I for another really like our band and all their spirit. Can you imagine what it would be like if they weren't there? I do... I have been to many away games that they aren't there. They make a difference. Do you know how important they are at Basketball? They rock at Moody. I think we (myself including) are so disappointed with our football expectations in the opener...I think that will get better soon.

[PonySnob]

At least the band won the half time on Saturday!

[Statler]

Let me ask you this: who in the stands does Jai-Ho appeal to? It's a good song...and played well BTW but you can't see the WFT reaction of the crowd?

Once again -- the marketing people restrict the M Band's play list. They tell the the M Band when to play.

[smusic 00]

At least the band won the half time on Saturday!

From what I hear, no visiting band will grace our field this year. That's a real bummer.

[Arkpony]

I love he band! So that's all that needs to be said about that!

[smuknight]

So to recap:
Home fans need to be more active.
Just about everything involving game day services needs an upgrade or made faster/easier.
Some pot shots at each other.
A insensitive comment using autistic.
Seems like most people enjoy the band overall, with a some nay-sayers.
Age old complaints of younger people thinking they know bad times, with older people shaking their heads.
Music selection can have a better mix of classic old with customized modern songs, though, not every modern pop tune sounds good with a band though.
Constructive ideas tossed around about way to improve.
and the band needs to get bigger or at least appear bigger.
That about right?

Solutions provided are,
Be more involved at the game.
Voice constructive ideas to proper decision makers, Contact information http://people.smu.edu/band/contact.html
and give money to get more kids in the band (fielding average 85-94 in the past 10 years, around 90+ average in the last 5 ) Currently getting about $0-2K a year for a school costing $45-55K a year. *disclaimer: numbers fairly accurate, but all could be higher or lower*
http://www.diamondmclub.org is a great way to provide more funds to the band each year to get more kids in the door or hire more staff or whatever.

So we good now? We can move on and improve and cheer the Mustangs on in the new conference.
Overall stayed with Tech till the 4th quarter. Defense just ran out of gas. Offense missed opportunities.
Whew I feel we made some real progress.. good session people same time next week?

[malonish]

So to recap:
Whew I feel we made some real progress.. good session people same time next week?

Good recap. See you next week.

[sponygirl]

It's so easy to beat up the band for the choice of a song, which is your right, but have you ever really considered the band, what it does, and it's effect on the games? Granted, the Greeks showed up, but left very shortly. The band played on.

First of all, you should know that the SMU band is open to all palyers, unlike many other schools. In the past, scholarships were available to talented musicians, but the funding has apparently dried up. The new Band Hall is also not a "gift", but will apparently require repayments.

The band student volunteers work extremely hard for little or no college credit. Band leaders put in much more hours. All of them may travel 10 plus hours each way on a bus to represent SMU at an away game, as funded by the athletic department.

Please just think about the hours these kids have to try to fit into studies. And they do it all because they care about SMU. Sorry that some fans don't like "Varsity", but the is the alma mater, and sorry that so many don't stay after a game for their cool performance.

For those of you upset over the Band section, please know that the Alumni Band claims control and the needs are not always known in advance. We sit there all the time as friends of the program and parents of a son in the band, although we have season tickets elsewhere. Others may be welcome, but it is totally up to them and not a band issue.

[PonySnob]

The band isn't making any 10 hour one way bus trips this year......TCU and A&M plus the few who go to Houston.......evidently in the AAC, bands don't travel.