How to get Alumni Back for Homecoming

[Falcon30]

I don't know of ANY alumni who even likened him to Chief. Why? The comparison would be impossible. I would liken it to comparing snowflakes. I believe the alumni were more than fair with Moss at the beginning. I know of alumni who have been disenchanted with assorted activities of the band's administration since Chief left, but I don't look to that as "comparing the directors."

I also know alumni who no longer refer their students to BGSU's music education department because of the 'degradation of quality' of the band program. Again, I don't see that as comparing directors. I see that as professional opinion of the music program. That is purely subjective and I imagine it has a lot to do with the music selected and the performance of that music. I would like to point out that these conversations were happening 3-4 years ago. I don't know what their opinion is now-a-days. I'll have to ask.

In other words, don't revise history with assumptions, kids.

President of the CBDNA? Are you sure? Please verify for accuracy. I believe you meant to say "President Elect of the NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION of the CBDNA. That's only a SLIGHT difference.

Finally, I've never had a personal problem with Dr. Moss. I can only go off of what I see and have seen. I saw a band program which was in SERIOUS DECLINE in the late 90's and early 00's. Alumni band directors were very displeased with the band program and stopped attending the sight reading clinic. I felt a certain disdain for the alumni and witnessed our being shunned during homecoming.

I give credit for Dr. Moss for bringing in Dr. Hayward. She has been the brightest spot in this band program in the last nine years. I was also very pleased with the "pulling off" of this past year's homecoming on behalf of the regular band. Are the times a-changing? God, I hope so. I would love nothing better.

That's my opinion. Deal with THAT.

Two things to add - the reading clinic was something kids chose to do so they could sightread lots of music. Now it's just another honor band.

and - think about the incredible turnover in the music ed dept... All the private teachers except a few are new. Dr Hayward has brought some stability to the Asst. Band Director position, but the crud they had in there from Jackson until she came in was.....unacceptable.

It seems to me that there was a large group of profs who left in the mid 90s...many of whom came on board when the CMA was split from (I think) arts and sciences and made into it's own entity. a few decades before.

Things were messed up for 10 years + all around the college. I have a problem with a former dean who tried to "snootify" the CMA. One thing BG music isn't is snooty. Good, yes. Proud, yes. But we are the College of Musical Arts not the [snobbish accent] conSERVatory of Music [/snobbish accent]

[bgmaggot00]

For whatever its worth, you guys seem to be missing out on the great things that Dr. Pellatier (sp?... French Horn prof) and Dr. Thompson (MuEd, and general AWESOMENESS) have been bringing to the CMA. Both were hired on about three years ago, and are amazing teachers. I won't blab about them too much, but I must say that Dr. Hayward is not the only good hire of late.

[It's the Journey...]

Dr Hayward has brought some stability to the Asst. Band Director position, but the crud they had in there from Jackson until she came in was.....unacceptable.

There was nothing wrong with Dr. Rohr except his ensembles out shined the top ensembles at every performance. The level of the FMB now is what is was when he was there with the exception of the percussion entry for pre-game which hasn't been clean since he left. The interm, Dr. Olfert was a good guy who was in over his head. The powers that be in the CMA brought him in to fail. Then Dr. Toney came through. Again, a good person but not the right person for BGSU.

[Falcon30]

Dr Hayward has brought some stability to the Asst. Band Director position, but the crud they had in there from Jackson until she came in was.....unacceptable.

There was nothing wrong with Dr. Rohr except his ensembles out shined the top ensembles at every performance. The level of the FMB now is what is was when he was there with the exception of the percussion entry for pre-game which hasn't been clean since he left. The interm, Dr. Olfert was a good guy who was in over his head. The powers that be in the CMA brought him in to fail. Then Dr. Toney came through. Again, a good person but not the right person for BGSU.

I will respectfully disagree with your opinion of Rohrer. There was PLENTY wrong with him, IMHO, and he was not a good marching band director. His drill was AWFUL. Little bits moving here and there...ugh If you want to know more, I will fill you in, but I feel he played favorites.

He's a great conductor in a concert setting. He was very Kelly-like; he had complete control of his conducting.

[Drummerfuj]

A lot of people are talking about how great Dr. Hayward is for the BG program......take a look around alumni. There are a lot of band members out there other than those that are on this board. I would make a a guess that Dr. Hayward gets about a 20 percent approval rating at this point, and a good majority of that 20 percent would be freshmen, who just like myself, were just so happy to be in the college band that they didn't notice the stuff that she did that was crazy. I can't honestly say I've come in contact with too many people that have much good to say about her as the director. And she consistantly seems to drive away members of the band that have taken part in independent competitive ensembles, because those members know what good is, and when it's not good, they demand a higher standard. At this point, she gets defensive, as would anyone who really doesn't know how to do better, and urges them out of the organization. I know many alumni of the band that will never return until a sane, civilized person is the director of that band, unless they just want to come back and irritate her with their presence, but really, what kind of experience would that be? It's time for a change FMB and FMB alumni, make it happen, we did it last time, and you can make it happen again.

[Rightupinthere]

A lot of people are talking about how great Dr. Hayward is for the BG program......take a look around alumni. There are a lot of band members out there other than those that are on this board. I would make a a guess that Dr. Hayward gets about a 20 percent approval rating at this point, and a good majority of that 20 percent would be freshmen, who just like myself, were just so happy to be in the college band that they didn't notice the stuff that she did that was crazy. I can't honestly say I've come in contact with too many people that have much good to say about her as the director. And she consistantly seems to drive away members of the band that have taken part in independent competitive ensembles, because those members know what good is, and when it's not good, they demand a higher standard. At this point, she gets defensive, as would anyone who really doesn't know how to do better, and urges them out of the organization. I know many alumni of the band that will never return until a sane, civilized person is the director of that band, unless they just want to come back and irritate her with their presence, but really, what kind of experience would that be? It's time for a change FMB and FMB alumni, make it happen, we did it last time, and you can make it happen again.

I remember saying the same thing about Jay Jackson when I was a student.





And I was wrong. Jay was all about politics in my view. Everything was self serving and not according to what I thought to be the best for the band. In hindsight, I was inaccurate with my views.

As an alumnus, I have very high esteem for Dr. Hayward. I don't work with her on a daily basis, but her results speak for themselves.

[Falcon30]

A lot of people are talking about how great Dr. Hayward is for the BG program......take a look around alumni. There are a lot of band members out there other than those that are on this board. I would make a a guess that Dr. Hayward gets about a 20 percent approval rating at this point, and a good majority of that 20 percent would be freshmen, who just like myself, were just so happy to be in the college band that they didn't notice the stuff that she did that was crazy. I can't honestly say I've come in contact with too many people that have much good to say about her as the director. And she consistantly seems to drive away members of the band that have taken part in independent competitive ensembles, because those members know what good is, and when it's not good, they demand a higher standard. At this point, she gets defensive, as would anyone who really doesn't know how to do better, and urges them out of the organization. I know many alumni of the band that will never return until a sane, civilized person is the director of that band, unless they just want to come back and irritate her with their presence, but really, what kind of experience would that be? It's time for a change FMB and FMB alumni, make it happen, we did it last time, and you can make it happen again.

I remember saying the same thing about Jay Jackson when I was a student.





And I was wrong. Jay was all about politics in my view. Everything was self serving and not according to what I thought to be the best for the band. In hindsight, I was inaccurate with my views.

As an alumnus, I have very high esteem for Dr. Hayward. I don't work with her on a daily basis, but her results speak for themselves.

This band feels like the BGSU band again. No band director is perfect. But the results are good. There are things I would like to see improved (accents in the fight song, 'off on one' on the countermelody) and I certainly don't know how things work now, but shoot - to the outside observer, things have improved.

[It's the Journey...]

Things seem to be MUCH better with the FMB, but there is always room for imporvement. I haven't seen a clean percussion entry and downfield since Dr. Rohr left, and thats terrible. I also agree some of the accents have been lost as well as drille. Maybe I just don't like they way they flow with the music. But, that is my very subjective opinion.

[The Niz]

[quote="SaxyIrishTenor"][quote="Ohiogal"]
Perhaps an after-game social?quote]

There will be a social next year. It may not be official or sanctioned by the FMB but there will be a 'gathering' for alumniz and students after the football game. And it will be at my house.

[able1]

I don't have anything to go by when judging Carol's ability to put together a marching band except for the result on the field. The band is significantly better than it was before she came and they continue to improve each year. As far as how she runs things from the inside, I have no idea what she does so I can't and won't comment. It's fair to say I have no idea what the current members think of her. All I know is the band is much better. They're not perfect, but pick enough nits and nobody is. They sound far better than they have in years, their marching is improved, and the numbers are up. They have had some memorable shows since she's been here. At least from the outside, there seems to be nothing to complain about.

When it comes to getting numbers for homecoming, I get the feeling that Carol isn't a significant part of the problem. I'm sure the fact that the registration arrived so late this year didn't help. I didn't get mine until after it was due. It's been getting later and later every year and that has to change.
I'll be there every year regardless, but beer and strippers wouldn't hurt. Think that could be arranged Niz?

[The Niz]

I don't have anything to go by when judging Carol's ability to put together a marching band except for the result on the field. The band is significantly better than it was before she came and they continue to improve each year. As far as how she runs things from the inside, I have no idea what she does so I can't and won't comment. It's fair to say I have no idea what the current members think of her. All I know is the band is much better. They're not perfect, but pick enough nits and nobody is. They sound far better than they have in years, their marching is improved, and the numbers are up. They have had some memorable shows since she's been here. At least from the outside, there seems to be nothing to complain about.

When it comes to getting numbers for homecoming, I get the feeling that Carol isn't a significant part of the problem. I'm sure the fact that the registration arrived so late this year didn't help. I didn't get mine until after it was due. It's been getting later and later every year and that has to change.
I'll be there every year regardless, but beer and strippers wouldn't hurt. Think that could be arranged Niz?

Milk and Cookies for eveyone.

[Falcons4Life]

Milk and cookies are great.....will there be a pool???

[The Niz]

Darn, I forgot to mention to the landlord that we needed one...

[able1]

A pool? In that case, I'll have to stop by the Goodwill store and see if I can pick up an old FMB uniform.

[The Niz]

We're going to view the house tomorrow morning. We convinced John Newlove to let us pay a stipend in order to keep our dog there with us. Its the old A frame conjoining houses on Eighth street. I'll check to see if a pool can be fit in anywhere...