ATTN: People who run band

[couch 'em]

Everyone is ragging on the band. If our band is equivalent to other top groups in song selection and sound quality as Diamond M suggests (and I generally agree) then it tells us that 1. There is a problem with bands everywhere or 2. There are issues other than song selection and sound quality.

I have always contended that to everyone who isn't an instrument playing musician sound quality means NOTHING. Energy, volume, familiarity. These things matter. Most pop stars, rock stars, and rappers are not good singers by musician standards but they are way more popular than the world's best opera singer. And their concerts look a lot more like an excited bball crowd. Last game I though the band sounded really good but man even I got sick of hearing them play.

I think the music complaints are directly related to the complaints about the band when it isn't playing. Question is - what is the common cause?

[photopony]

I am a band alum. The problem that always exists on this board is people get way too defensive against criticism, especially coming from the band supporters. I sat through all those miserable Doh years being one of 100 people at games. Yes the band is unwavering in their support, blah blah, etc. I don't think past performance and dedication gives an organization a free pass to not change when needed.

I think very few people will disagree that the band is lacking or worse off than other school's band programs. The only problem I see this year is the energy drain that happens in Moody when the band starts playing. I don't think that is necessarily the fault of the band, it can be pushed to the crowd atmosphere as well. But at the end of the day, the best solution is going to be for athletics to get the whole game presentation production together and for the band to play a few more songs that pump up the crowd when needed. And also get the members to get rowdy. They should be an extension of the student section's enthusiasm.

Classic rock songs and jazz arrangements can work, but maybe there needs to be some planning to keep the Moody atmosphere high.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

OK, so they played 7NA at a very appropriate time last night and there was virtually no reaction from the students.

[smusportspage]

I thought the Alumni Band was great last night. Good song selections.

[ObeyMyDog]

OK, so they played 7NA at a very appropriate time last night and there was virtually no reaction from the students.

Yes, gloss over the fact that they are on winter break and half of the students down there were chicks also. Phantom of the opera guy made a comeback last night as well, so you know you've got MOB issues.

Students weren't there, drawing a conclusion is dumb. I was actually laughing... the first moment they time a 7NA thing properly all season, it is literally the worst game to date they could have done it with all the kids being gone.

[GiddyUp]

I guess they think its all fine and dandy as they claim its the same crew as last yr. prob wont change.

i see a Mob with no soul and a band with no guts..

[JasonB]

It looked like they gave a lot of the student tickets to faculty.

[EastStang]

It looked like they gave a lot of the student tickets to faculty.

That explains the lack of noise from that section. Timeouts are when the band should be playing. During play, not so much. Play Peruna, PBC, and when we win, Little Grass Shack.

[78pony]

Alumni band I thought was quite good considering their number.

Hey, how about the player intro. Nobody around me did a thing other than stare at the scoreboard and yawn!

[Pony147]

I thought the Alumni Band was great last night. Good song selections.

FWIW, that was the same director. But yes, I agree the song selection was better.

[Pony147]

FWIW clarification #2, the "alumni band" last night was about half alumni and half current students

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Plus, when you only have 18 and 3 are freaking piccolos you are up against it from the start!

[skyscraper]

I actually thought the music balance, selection was the best all season. Just no students were there to feed off of it because it's holiday break.
If they do that presentation-wise for a big game I think we'd all be happy.
Alumni band sounded nice, too.

[Bergermeister]

I thought the Alumni Band was great last night. Good song selections.

I agree. Always good to get the alumni band involved.

[malonish]

It looked like they gave a lot of the student tickets to faculty.

That explains the lack of noise from that section. Timeouts are when the band should be playing. During play, not so much. Play Peruna, PBC, and when we win, Little Grass Shack.

That's probably Shanty Town you are referencing and it's played at the end of every game.