THE MUSTANG BAND!

[Water Pony]

The Hub of SMU Spirit deserves the great support from everyone. Great asset for the school.

2nd Question: Why has the band size been reduced to less than 70 from 99? We won't be the biggest but getting back to 100 would be awesome, especially with the spirit they bring.

[DiamondM]

This question gets asked every damn year. Look, it hasn't been "reduced" by anyone. Fewer students are playing in the band at SMU, and there is much less scholarship money to attract bandsmen that otherwise could not afford to go to SMU. If you want to help, go to www. smubandpartnership.com. The Partnership will be happy to accept your donation to help raise scholarship funds and facilities funding that can assist in returning the size of the band to its traditional 96 guys (and gals) and a doll.

[abezontar]

I don't think the size of the band has ever been intentionally reduced. I know that one of the factors for the decrease in numbers is due to tuition. In the old days students could get full scholarships from the band to attend SMU, well tuition went up, but the amount of money the band had available for scholarships didn't. There has been a move to change that recently, and I think there might be one kid on full scholarship from the band, but for just about everybody else, the scholarship money might cover books for the year, (depending on your major). I would also think that the lack of winning contributes as well, there aren't that many people that would be willing to put that much time into something when there aren't that many people that will appreciate it.

[Peruna97]

Some folks here have asked about band size and money issues with the band. If you want to see numbers and graphs about why the band needs help go to www.smubandpartnership.com

[buspen]

My in-laws went to the OSU game and happen to set next to the band. Not only did they throughly enjoy the band on and off they field, due to it's different style, but they went on to say they were highly impressed by each of the students actions. They said they were very nice, very courteous, and extremely helpful. You guys represent yourselves and your school very well.

[SpatsNBeanies]

I think a few more members would be nice, but let's not forget--the Mustang band is known for it's few members.

Scholarship money is always appreciated. BUT personally. I think membership shouldn't be about the scholarship. I don't like the idea of a "band-for-hire." There are plenty of people that would do what the SMU Band does for free.

What the band needs to more promotion and recruitment. I don't think most people realize what the band is all about--the spirit of SMU!

[MustangSally]

SpatsNBeanies,

PLEASE STOP POSTING.

You're sounding like a moron on here and [deleted] off a few people along the way. Not to mention, you sided with PonySnob in another thread...

[SpatsNBeanies]

Oops, I'm upseting people. That was the last thing I wanted to do. I'm sorry my point of view is contrary to yours and well as a few others.

[stops sarcasm/ BSing]

Dude, get a clue. This is an open-forum. While I'm not breaking any rules, I can express myself in ANY way I please even though you might not like it.

[MustangSally]

Fine, I'll take issue with your more recent posts.

You say you like the band is traditionally small? 96 is still 'small' by college band standards anyways. It wouldnt be a large too-big-to-know-everyone band if we were at 96. Also, our instrumentation is lacking big-time, you realize that if the trombones left after 4 years, there would 3 right now? This is another area where recruitment comes in handy. We have a surplus of saxes every year, but hardly any trumpets/trombones. Are you telling me you'd rather keep the band where it is right now than to have a 96 member band with 32 trumpets (8 on first, freaking amazing sound), or 16 bones (4 on each part), or 2 full tuba squads?

I see your sentiment about "I want people that are here not for the money", but the reality is we are getting smaller every year, because more and more SMU students are the boarding school type, not the typical average high school band kid. By the way, I DARE you to walk up to any of the first trumpets in the alumni band and call them out for coming to SMU just because of the money. Keep in mind many of them got FULL RIDES to SMU.

Another thing, the money raised isn't just for scholarships, so dont think that it's 'help us raise money to lure more people to join'. The money will help maintain/purchase instruments, several million will go to the new bandhall, road trips (not just bus trips within 300 miles, but all of those PLUS a trip to a 'coast' every year), uniforms (there are pieces we still don't have right now because there isn't money for it), etc.

So tell me again why raising money will create a 'band-for-hire'?

[couch 'em]

I think a few more members would be nice, but let's not forget--the Mustang band is known for it's few members.

Scholarship money is always appreciated. BUT personally. I think membership shouldn't be about the scholarship. I don't like the idea of a "band-for-hire." There are plenty of people that would do what the SMU Band does for free.

What the band needs to more promotion and recruitment. I don't think most people realize what the band is all about--the spirit of SMU!

OK, next year, we'll remove everyone who is coming back because they are needed and were begged back, and then you tell me about size. Scholarship money is needed to get people here, especially people who don't suck because meadows isn't known for its rockin' jazz program, or its support of mband. Did you care about SMU before you came here? I didn't. Would you care if you weren't in the band? Probably not. I probably wouldn't. Would I have joined the band if not for the money? No. I was sick of high school band and had no idea that it is totally different at college. I gave it a chance because I have no money. I would do it now without the money, but I wouldn't have after high school. We MIGHT have 40 people in the band if we had no scholarship money, not as recruitment, but because people can't afford it.

Yes, recruitment is lacking, but you don't know what you are talking about. When you become an upperclassman and have seen a year of recruitment, you'll know.

Also, why won't you tell me who you are?

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

I think a few more members would be nice, but let's not forget--the Mustang band is known for it's few members.

Scholarship money is always appreciated. BUT personally. I think membership shouldn't be about the scholarship. I don't like the idea of a "band-for-hire." There are plenty of people that would do what the SMU Band does for free.

What the band needs to more promotion and recruitment. I don't think most people realize what the band is all about--the spirit of SMU!

Actually, I was always under the impression that the Mustang Band was known for it's high step marching and jazz style music as well as it's endless support of SMU athletics. Anyway, I digress.

First off, scholarship money is important because without it, you'd run the risk of not having any kind of band at all. If you want to see the results of a "scholarship free" band, then check out the Rice MOB on the 9th in Houston. If you want the Mustang Band to become something like that then just remember, you get what you pay for.

Also, while I'm sure that the school and band staff would appreciate if we could get a whole bunch of stud players coming in each year who have tuition paid for 4 years and wouldn't require any money from the Mustang Band, my question is this...Is it realistic? Hell no. Any reasonable person knows that's not how the real world works. With the rising cost of college tuition and expenses, the reality is that kids and their parents are going to be looking at schools that give them money anyway they can get it and if that means a band scholarship, then yes, that could be important.

That's why the Band partnership is looking to increase the scholarship money given so that kids, who want to be a part of something but probably can't afford it, will have that opportunity. As it is, these kids basically do work for nothing but what they do receive is a small help towards the common goal of completing their SMU education. Some of us are just trying to make that job a bit easier.

[MustangStealth]

The band ought to compare themselves to greek houses as a recruiting tool.

Greek: 50-150 new friends (or however big they are)
Band: 70 new friends

Greek: Required appearance at football games, dress dictated by leadership.
Band: Required appearance at football games, dress dictated by leadership.

Greek: Required meetings, study hours, events.
Band: Required rehearsals, gigs.

Greek: Alumni network.
Band: Alumni network. (Perhaps not as extensive or influential, but moreso than many would think. Also extremely loyal to other band members.)

Greek: Weekend retreats.
Band: Weekend road trip for football game. Weeklong trip to Reno for WAC tourney, including per diem $$. Not to mention back when the ladies used to go to the NCAA all the time. Talk about meal money!

Greek: House pin.
Band: Free hat.

Greek: Parties.
Band: Parties.

Greek: Exhorbitant dues.
Band: Small(ish) but helpful scholarship.

Sounds good to me.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Greek: House pin.
Band: Free hat

Don't you mean a beanie?

[MustangStealth]

Don't you mean a beanie?

Yes, of course. I know better than that, I just thought it fit the flow of the post better like that.

[eyes_on_the_diamond_m]

The Mustang Band was always more akin to a Frat than most other bands (much the the chagrin of some) and that can have a certain appeal, no doubt. It plays a distant second if a good prospect can't afford SMU to begin with, though.

btw, MustangStealth ... B___d__!