Baylor Band Tactics Legal?

[SWC2010]

I also know of persons that were in my Freshman class that were told they had to choose between Mustang Band and Meadows. It is definitely not a rumor that Meadows has no love for the Band.

What's the problem with Meadows?

[abezontar]

The music department at Meadows actively discourages their students from participating in the mustang band.

[MrMustang1965]

At least our band knows how to dress for a half-time performance.

The Baylor Band went down to Wal-Mart and bought Fruit-of-the-Loom t-shirts and khaki shorts from Weiner's Department Store. Isn't Baylor one of the wealthier private schools in Texas?

[BUTitan]

At least our band knows how to dress for a half-time performance.

The Baylor Band went down to Wal-Mart and bought Fruit-of-the-Loom t-shirts and khaki shorts from Weiner's Department Store. Isn't Baylor one of the wealthier private schools in Texas?

Well the did look more fit for the weather.

[abezontar]

remember that when you go for your next job interview...dress for the weather because your appearance doesn't matter.

[michiganstang]

The music department at Meadows actively discourages their students from participating in the mustang band.

I am not trying to start a flame war, but as someone who was in Meadows for 6 years I can say with a certain amount of surety that their is no OFFICIAL discouragement. As far as individual professors go I can't say who may or may not have something against the marching band, it was never brought up to me and no one in the brass studios ever mentioned it to me. In any case I seriously doubt it would make a huge difference. The type of musician Meadows attracts is typically not hugely into marching band. Most classical musicians I know (and I speak as a person who makes his living in the field) viewed marching band as an annoyance they would rather do without. Even if there was none of the "discouragement" some have described, I doubt a significant number of majors would join. It has nothing to do with the "school spirit" at Meadows. Your typical Music major has three ensembles (orchestra, wind ensemble, and a chamber group) in addition to a full SMU class load (I took all three of my groups plus brass studio for zero credit every semester except one to fit everything in). Why should they add another busy group they don't really enjoy musically (or to be honest prepare them in anyway for their future unless they plan on joining Star of Indiana) to 'prove' their spirit. Just let 'em relax at the game and join in that way.
As far as the allegation against Dr. Delaney, all I can say is he is more intense about the Meadows Wind Ensemble then anyone I know is about anything. But the results are proven; the group gets invited to every international and national conference they are eligible for, and recorded 4 CDs while I was an undergrad, in addition to having a commissoned work nominated for the Pulitzer. If this story is true, I am a bit surprised, but can you really blame a professor for expecting students to place their major over an extracurricular?

I apologize if this (long) post seems a bit defensive, but Meadows was my home and some of the insinuations made bother me.

[abezontar]

There might not be an official policy, but my wife who is also a Meadows grad, and every person that I have ever talked to that was at one point in band and Meadows will agree that there is a bias. I know of two, one tuba and one trumpet, of the top of my head that were told that if they didn't quit band they would be asked to leave the department. One chose to stay in Meadows, and one told him to f off, and did both anyway.

I don't personally think there should be a requirment for the Meadows musicians to be in Mustang Band, but I do think that Meadows shouldn't be threatening their students who do want to be in band.

[michiganstang]

Alright I give up!

There IS an officially unofficial conspiracy at Meadows to keep it's students out of the Mustang band. And if attempted they will hound you out of the school, the University and ultimately have your international license to make music revoked! I also accept I am the only music major in the last 30 years to not have experienced, directly or indirectly, the above mentioned policy.

Seriously - from now on I'll stick to non-controversial subjects like our athletic 'model', if all sporting events at SMU past '84 are invalid experiences, or if the AD should be fired today or yesterday.

And just to stir the pot, being from Big Ten country, I hope OSU clobbers UT on Saturday (as long as Michigan clobbers OSU later).

[abezontar]

I'm not trying to invalidate your experiences, but it would seem pretty safe to say that if you were not in the band, then the department didn't care, and probably wouldn't bring it up to you, which would explain why it would seem so foreign an idea.

[couch 'em]

In any case I seriously doubt it would make a huge difference. The type of musician Meadows attracts is typically not hugely into marching band. Most classical musicians I know (and I speak as a person who makes his living in the field) viewed marching band as an annoyance they would rather do without.

Nobody questions this, but it is a statement of fact that people are run off from the band by the music school, or have to leave the music school because of Meadow's policy towards the band. At most schools it wouldn't be a big deal, and in the grand scheme of things it isn't, but when you have an organization who has to fight against having no money, no team to support, and a student body full of rich people (rich people don't do middle class activities like entertain others in the band) you just don't want people working against you. Lets say you 2 people per year lost to meadows. If they weren't the band would go from 59 65 assuming nobody is back for a 5th year. That's nearly a 10% increase.

[Sic_em]

Some Baylor fans were complaining about the BUGWB dressed in shorts and T-shirts. While it was obviously more comfortable in light of the weather, the reason given was that Baylor has new uniforms this year but many were still at the tailor's being altered.

[abezontar]

yeah, but they wore the same thing two years ago when we played them at Baylor

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Alright I give up!

There IS an officially unofficial conspiracy at Meadows to keep it's students out of the Mustang band. And if attempted they will hound you out of the school, the University and ultimately have your international license to make music revoked! I also accept I am the only music major in the last 30 years to not have experienced, directly or indirectly, the above mentioned policy.

No, I'm just sure that you spent way more time in the practice room. Seriously though, as Abenzontar said, don't think we're trying to invalidate your experience. If you had no interest in it then you didn't have to worry about it. They weren't concerned. In the past, there have been several band members who have done both and have been successful with both. However, there were those who felt that you had to choose between the two. I felt that I shouldn't have to make that decision that it was my life and that I wanted to do what I wanted to do and that's why I changed my mind about becoming a music major.
As for Dr. Delaney's work with the ensemble, I don't dispute that. I'm sure he's done a great job with it and that's fine. However, I stand by my story. It disappointed me because I had a lot of respect for him and thought he was a terrific director and while he might be one, I can honestly say that I thought less of him after he pulled that tactic. By the same token, I will say there are others in Meadows that I don't think have this attitude(Dr.Wagner is a guy that comes to mind. He actually was one of the finalists for the job back in 1994) but when I was in school(early to mid 90s), there was this attitude.
Anyway, I think I've said enough on this as this thread has gone so far off base.

[Rupperman]

Just to add my two cents... The current Mustang Band director and Drum Line instructor are Meadows Grads. With the instructor being in the band from 1979.

[MustangSally]

OK, enough Meadows talk. Meadows is fabulous at what it does, it's just not the type of school that would be all "rah rah" about marching band.

Since we are talking about the band growing, I heard that a displaced Tulane student is joining the band this week for the rest of the season. I feel bad for Tulane, they were supposed to have a marching band this season after not having one for many years. They bought uniforms, equipment, etc, but I suppose much of that is now lost or ruined.