No Univ. Band march update after 4

[oak_street1981]

games:

I stopped by gate B about 9:55 Saturday to see how these "new traditions" are working out.

I heard about this great march around the stadium that would replace the march past the frat houses to the front of the stadium.

There was nothing going on at all outside gate B except a security person bellowing on a bullhorn every 10 seconds about upzipping jackets, greasing up and bending over for a full cavity search. Aside from the bullhorn girl, it was much like standing at a cold bus stop.

After a few minutes the band meekly walked out of their space in the stadium, assembled and marched around the east side of the stadium.

For the most part no one noticed they were even there. It was more lacking than the Metrodome march up Chicago Ave. from the old Spaghetti factory where people actually milled around, interacted with, and then followed the band up the street. Now there is actually less atmosphere than the little we had on Chicago Ave.

I'd say about 30 people at most even followed the band over to the small area where they played a few songs. There were finally people present in this area, but it was a much smaller group than used to be on the hated Metrodome plaza. The whole thing should be scrapped.

I fled to my gate after a few moments out of fear of getting stuck in the security line and missing the whole on field pre-game show.

So much for new traditions. This whole thing really failed relative the what was done in the past before on campus football games. The worthless Iowa HMB even does it better after they leave the fieldhouse.

If they are not going to bring back the (oh so inconvenient 6 minute) University Ave march, the bulk of the band has to stay near the McNamera Plaza and play there and follow it up with a full 300 member parade to the stadium (where half the band marches after the Victory walk) right before the pre-game entrance.

This is not a rip on the band, but on the U of M and the full time/ paid band leadership.

 

[GoAUpher]

Jeebus...do you shoot a new horse each time or do you dig up the same tired beaten one?

 

[Doc1001]

Another example

of a rude mean spirited response. Who are these people.

 

[oak_street1981]

Ok, how about I start another student section post.

Jeebus...do you shoot a new horse each time or do you dig up the same tired beaten one?

There have only been what, six this week?

Admit it, there is a lot of truth in my post. The band aspect of the new stadium has been a huge failure, from the accoustics, to the cramped pit, to the weak outside the stadium presence, to the less than overwhelming post game show.

The on field pre-game is good as always.

I am not sure why the band has to wear those brown coats all the time either. Was it raining on Saturday? I suspect he UW Badger band followers might question the toughness of our band.

 

[Khaliq]

"toughness" and "band" are the antithesis of one another.

 

[GoAUpher]

I'll admit, it was rude. I know you haven't been reading here much Doc because of responses like mine. But oak_street has been banging his drum about this for months. And at the end of it there is only one clear truth...he wants the band on University and won't accept anything less nor any reason why it isn't happening. And that's completely fine. I wish that tradition was restarted so that I could experience it for the first time. I'm sure it was amazing back in the day and it is truly something I wish I could see for myself.

And I will take this moment to apologize to you oak_street. I am tired to the University Ave discussion b/c it doesn't go anywhere. And your comment about the 6 min march got me peeved b/c I thought "here we go again". But you do raise some points worth discussing and my glib post ran right past those.

I wasn't at this game thanks to the flu so I didn't see the band's performance outside the stadium. I'd found it to be enjoyable the first 2 games but didn't see it before Wisky or this week. I'd be interested in hearing observations from anyone who's made it to the last 2 performances about why they think attendance might be dropping...my guess would be weather.

It is also very true that the band cannot always be easily heard. Its something I hope they find a way to change.

Ultimately what bothers me I think, is what I read in threads about the pregame band events is so often a list of complaints/laments with no recognition that things are not the same now. Change happens. And holding out stubbornly won't make the difference.

Calling a new tradition a failure at game 4 strikes me as a little petty. 4 games is not enough time for there to be a tradition. By definition, a tradition takes time. I'm sure the march down University wasn't an immediate tradition either.

There will be plenty of things about this new stadium that will take time. I want the best experience possible at TCF, but it really bugs me how folks (not you specifically oak_street...going general here) are so ready to throw up their hands and cry failure during the first season. Think of all the planning that was done to prepare for this season and realize they didn't get it all right. Then think about all the planning that will continue to happen to improve on the experience. Some of that can happen week to week. But some of it will take another off season of reflection and soliciting feedback. The same is true of fan attendance in bad weather. And student attendance. Its not all sunshine and roses.

But focusing solely on what we don't like without proposing a solution is the cheap and easy way out. Its why I started the thread urging everyone to continue to e-mail their thoughts, ideas, and concerns to Maturi and the fan relations team. The gameday at TCF will take years to fully bloom and passionate fans like those here can help make it happen. Just look at the Ski-U-Mah chant!

Ok...I've been all over the map here. oak_street: Again, I apologize. I can't promise I won't be glib in the future and when I am I may not always apologize (I might think you or whoever is on the receiving end deserves it). But now wasn't that time.

 

[Rick Mons]

The band marched past Gate B at the Wisconsin game. Sure looked like the full band, they were struttin' their stuff and I thought it was great. My son was also mightily impressed.

BTW -- and as I wrote in the "ski-u-mah" thread -- they did a "Ski-U-Mah" chant that was spectacular to hear.

 

[Rick Mons]

Double Post

-nm-

 

[Doc1001]

GOAUpher

Much much better.

 

[gopherguy05]

I'll admit, it was rude. I know you haven't been reading here much Doc because of responses like mine. But oak_street has been banging his drum about this for months. And at the end of it there is only one clear truth...he wants the band on University and won't accept anything less nor any reason why it isn't happening. And that's completely fine. I wish that tradition was restarted so that I could experience it for the first time. I'm sure it was amazing back in the day and it is truly something I wish I could see for myself.

And I will take this moment to apologize to you oak_street. I am tired to the University Ave discussion b/c it doesn't go anywhere. And your comment about the 6 min march got me peeved b/c I thought "here we go again". But you do raise some points worth discussing and my glib post ran right past those.

I wasn't at this game thanks to the flu so I didn't see the band's performance outside the stadium. I'd found it to be enjoyable the first 2 games but didn't see it before Wisky or this week. I'd be interested in hearing observations from anyone who's made it to the last 2 performances about why they think attendance might be dropping...my guess would be weather.

It is also very true that the band cannot always be easily heard. Its something I hope they find a way to change.

Ultimately what bothers me I think, is what I read in threads about the pregame band events is so often a list of complaints/laments with no recognition that things are not the same now. Change happens. And holding out stubbornly won't make the difference.

Calling a new tradition a failure at game 4 strikes me as a little petty. 4 games is not enough time for there to be a tradition. By definition, a tradition takes time. I'm sure the march down University wasn't an immediate tradition either.

There will be plenty of things about this new stadium that will take time. I want the best experience possible at TCF, but it really bugs me how folks (not you specifically oak_street...going general here) are so ready to throw up their hands and cry failure during the first season. Think of all the planning that was done to prepare for this season and realize they didn't get it all right. Then think about all the planning that will continue to happen to improve on the experience. Some of that can happen week to week. But some of it will take another off season of reflection and soliciting feedback. The same is true of fan attendance in bad weather. And student attendance. Its not all sunshine and roses.

But focusing solely on what we don't like without proposing a solution is the cheap and easy way out. Its why I started the thread urging everyone to continue to e-mail their thoughts, ideas, and concerns to Maturi and the fan relations team. The gameday at TCF will take years to fully bloom and passionate fans like those here can help make it happen. Just look at the Ski-U-Mah chant!

Ok...I've been all over the map here. oak_street: Again, I apologize. I can't promise I won't be glib in the future and when I am I may not always apologize (I might think you or whoever is on the receiving end deserves it). But now wasn't that time.

Some people you can't change...oak is one of them. Put him on Ignore and you will be much happier in the long run.

 

[GoAUpher]

Some people you can't change...oak is one of them. Put him on Ignore and you will be much happier in the long run.

Prob right...but if I'm going to get annoyed by the crappy level of discussion on this board right now I figure I should occasionally do a little more to raise it.

 

[Golden Drummer]

oak_street1981- traditions take time and you need to relax. And please provide solutions instead of keeping track of every detail that happens and getting bent out of shape and just reporting it. ??? Have you ever stayed and watched the postgame band performance? I will guess that maybe 100-200 people stay and watch this.... same amount of people that stayed to watch at the dome. I think the fans could be a little more enthusiastic and start a new tradition by staying and packing the place (post game) to support some hard working band members. Everyone ust wants to get out of there and bolts right away.

 

[re3886]

I think the point has sailed completely past most of you...

oak_street1981- traditions take time and you need to relax. And please provide solutions instead of keeping track of every detail that happens and getting bent out of shape and just reporting it. ??? Have you ever stayed and watched the postgame band performance? I will guess that maybe 100-200 people stay and watch this.... same amount of people that stayed to watch at the dome. I think the fans could be a little more enthusiastic and start a new tradition by staying and packing the place (post game) to support some hard working band members. Everyone ust wants to get out of there and bolts right away.

The Band around the stadium pre-game isn't working. Having to line up so early for the strip search has made it very difficult to be in a good place to watch. That is a fact, and attacking the person delivering it does not change it. I have made my thoughts about University Avenue well known. I have accepted that it ain't going to happen. That does not mean I do not want the whole game day experience to be the best possible. I would like to hear that tweaks are being worked on. This "Shut up and Wait" stuff does nothing for anybody. The band works hard and I would like to hear nothing but compliments towards them, but the truth is still the truth. There are issues that need to be worked on, might as well work on them when there is a crowd available to try them out on. I think the post game show has been good this year myself, as have halftimes. My only music complaint is the Viking-style piped in crap. It's college let the band play, not AC/DC.

 

[GoAUpher]

The Band around the stadium pre-game isn't working. Having to line up so early for the strip search has made it very difficult to be in a good place to watch. That is a fact, and attacking the person delivering it does not change it. I have made my thoughts about University Avenue well known. I have accepted that it ain't going to happen. That does not mean I do not want the whole game day experience to be the best possible. I would like to hear that tweaks are being worked on. This "Shut up and Wait" stuff does nothing for anybody. The band works hard and I would like to hear nothing but compliments towards them, but the truth is still the truth. There are issues that need to be worked on, might as well work on them when there is a crowd available to try them out on. I think the post game show has been good this year myself, as have halftimes. My only music complaint is the Viking-style piped in crap. It's college let the band play, not AC/DC.

What changes do you suggest? I get that you don't like the current pregame. Do you have any ideas to improve it?

 

[re3886]

sure

What changes do you suggest? I get that you don't like the current pregame. Do you have any ideas to improve it?

A pre-game in a central location like the Alum center, followed by a short march works for me, but I am open to new ideas on this. Adjusting the pit, or adjusting the formation to put some trumpets/Sousaphones/trombones facing the student section from field level would help project sound that way during the game, it would require someone to have a head on a swivel, just in case, but they can't play while the game is going on anyways. Section breakdowns like they used to do at the dome might help with hearing the band as well.
With the lines at the gates forming when they do, the around the stadium just doesn't have a flow. One of the best things from the old pre-game was being able to hear some of the marching cadences when following them. It hard to get that when you are at a fixed location and the band marches to you.

 

[Zales04]

I was in the band room before the game, and Diem told them that depending on the temperature and the crowd it may be just a few songs and out. I don't know about you, but a cold mouthpiece is not fun. My lips are still chapped from the homecoming parade on Friday.

 

[WAGopher]

I was in the band room before the game, and Diem told them that depending on the temperature and the crowd it may be just a few songs and out. I don't know about you, but a cold mouthpiece is not fun. My lips are still chapped from the homecoming parade on Friday.

You gotta get a plastic mouthpiece for cold outdoors. You lips will be warm and feeling good.

 

[forestlaker]

Band Thoughts:

1. Do the whole pregame at McNamara Plaza then play and march across the street into the stadium. or
2. Do the pregame pepfest on the East Plaza of TCF.
3. Use the pregame pepfest to practice yells w/the cheerleading squad.
4. Have the pregame on the East side of Williams or Marauchi(sp).
5. Hand out the words or sayings to the Band Chants (can't understand some of them, i.e. "kick em thru the endzone,etc.)
6. In the Stadium, have the Band on the upper level decking playing down to the crowd then walk down the steps on to the field.

 

[JackiO]

.

 

[oak_street1981]

Yes, I always stay for the post game band show.

oak_street1981- traditions take time and you need to relax. And please provide solutions instead of keeping track of every detail that happens and getting bent out of shape and just reporting it. ??? Have you ever stayed and watched the postgame band performance? I will guess that maybe 100-200 people stay and watch this.... same amount of people that stayed to watch at the dome. I think the fans could be a little more enthusiastic and start a new tradition by staying and packing the place (post game) to support some hard working band members. Everyone ust wants to get out of there and bolts right away.

It sounded very good on Saturday. It could be a bit longer, and have at least one more school song. It would be nice if the band would form up and march into the tunnel after the post game show as well.

I saw a few Purdue fans staying for the post game show as well.