Reactions from the past

[MatrixBass3]

Check it out rightupinthere...............the comment I made about the sarcasm was regarding the whole disrespect of the band in the past. I have very little idea about what the band did in the past, and frankly, I'm not bothered by it. All I ever did was express my opinion. I am partial to one kind of college band and you are partial to another. I love the UMass minutemen band who is taught by Thom Hannum, one of the best in DCI history and also the writer for Blast! It's a matter of preference, and I just happen to be very passionate about it. I understand that others enjoy other things, it's totally fine. I just have an opinion, that's it! I assure you that I am not an idiot, I do understand that although I have preferences for marching bands, that if I were ever the director of the FMB, I would not be able to do exactly as I wish and be successful. I thought that this was a forum where I could share my thoughts..........and that's exactly what they are.......my thoughts. I doubt if I will ever be a college MB director. I am cut out to work with a competition corps-style band program and I intend to do so.

Btw, Saxyoboist, I did in fact march last year, the snare line was Ross, Erin, myself, Jon Honeycutt, and Dan Tramte. I played Frontiers to the point where I loved it but was sick of it much like many others Also, I'm pretty aware of how things went this year seeing as all 3 of my roomates and my girlfriend were all in the band, and it was just a big transistion year, as I think the band is still trying to redefine its identity after the atrocity that was the band for our first two years and the 2 years before that, (I won't mention any names). So, don't jump to conclusions, and wow, I still can't believe the blatant insult to my intelligence, go ahead and disagree with me, but don't call me an idiot. An idiot is someone who refuses to agree to disagree, or to accept that others have different opinions. I hope there is no one on this forum like that. And also, I agree about the screamer thing on a lighter note. Over the last 3 years its turned from a really fast trumpet chop-buster to an amorphus blob of notes.................


I hope that really clears things up as I did not hope to offend anyone. I tend to forget when posting that not everyone on here understands my extremely sarcastic personality. So yeah, that's about it.

[goofyeuph]

There was a summer I really wanted to try out for Phantom Regiment. I had to work instead.

This might come as a surpirse, but I never marched corp. Never really wanted too. It's great to watch, but that intense of marching for that long or time with that kinda of schedule isn't exactly my idea of fun. I guess I'd rather spend my summer carry a 40 lbs pack and hiking though the woods and mountains.

What else are you going to put to my face? [quote\]

Oh I don't know...a sousaphone

Alumni love the FMB - unconditionally. We have seen the highs and the lows. We feel the pain and share the joy. We were you. We know. We 'get it' as far as criticism goes. [quote\]

I know you guys love the FMB. There are times when I am given pause, but I do realize that underneath everything you do love the FMB. I do my best to take all of the criticism in stride, as well as with a grain of salt. I typically don't get too fired up about criticism or upset about it. I know for the most part people just want to see us improve. I also try and make sure that I am understanding what is being said.

[quote\]I stated that the FMB is far and away the best I have seen them since graduating. I am very optimistic about your future as you should be. [quote\]

Thank you for all of your support. I too am optimistic about the future of the band (although not my personal future with the band since there isn't much that's going to get me to march a 5th year). I truly hope that the band continues to grow, both in terms of quality, and entertainment value.

[quote\] I just want some songs pointed towards Cleveland. That's all. [quote\] Thats not an unresonable request, and it's one that if I was a director I would proably honor. While I might rather just face the home side, I must keep the fans happy. Without the support of the fans I don't have a program.

[FliccGirl]

Playing to the "Home" side, or just to one side during a show is just the way I was brought up. You're proably right, it most likely stems from DCI. Playing to both sides of the field can be done. I persoanlly feel that this is more difficult, however. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be done, or that it can't be done. I'm saying that personally, I would rather play to one side or the other. I think it would be best if we agree to disagree on this matter.

I think we SHOULD play to both sides... however, I think the turn should usually be done more smoothly than it has been in the past. My freshman year, it was just *halt* *horns down* *pause during applause* *about face* *horns up* *play* And it DOES break the mood.

But especially since we've been doing a lot of continuous-music shows, I think it would be maybe more effective and impressive if the turn was incorporated into the drill, instead of being a separate move done between drills. (Does that make sense, or am I speaking gibberish again? lol) It would be cool in part because it would be kind of unexpected.

[goofyeuph]

That would be cool, but as you said, it just hasn't been done here in that style for a long time, if ever.

I have no real problem playing to both sides. As a matter of preference I'd rather just play to one side or the other. The band's job is to play to the "crowd", wherever that crowd may be. My liking to play to one side or the other is just a preference of mine, but it's not one that I am going to lose any sleep over if I was overuled.

[BGMello04]

Not to sound asinine, but our fans know which side of the stadium that we play to yes? I'm certain people wouldn't mind getting close to each other on one side of the stadium for halftime. Each party has valid points but again this is a matter best discussed with Mr. Nowlin or Dr. Hayward.

[FliccGirl]

Ah, but Charles, that's assuming that people are willing to inconvenience themselves for our sake.... an assumption that, unfortunately, has NOT been confirmed by history.

[1987alum]

Not to sound asinine, but our fans know which side of the stadium that we play to yes? I'm certain people wouldn't mind getting close to each other on one side of the stadium for halftime. Each party has valid points but again this is a matter best discussed with Mr. Nowlin or Dr. Hayward.

I think this is quite wishful thinking.

[Ohiogal]

yes yes. please tell all the die-hard season-ticket holders to get up out of their seats on the east side, fight the crowd, and sit on the west side of the stands to see the band. when my parents bought their seats over there the band played to that side as well. they didn't get to see the entire show, but they got to see/hear some of it since we made sure to play to both sides since both sides have BGSU fans.

[SaxyOboist]

I'd like to point out that some die-hard season ticket holders DO hold tickets on the home side. (ie, my parents) They've been to every home football game for 4 years, and they've always had the same seats sitting where the band faces.

[Rightupinthere]

I'd like to point out that some die-hard season ticket holders DO hold tickets on the home side. (ie, my parents) They've been to every home football game for 4 years, and they've always had the same seats sitting where the band faces.

I believe you were misreading the intentions of Ohiogal. She was answering directly to the "switch sides for halftime" belief.

Fours years is great and the support is appreciated. But that pales in comparison to the number of years and games Ohiogal's parents have witnessed.

How many years, Delaine? 30?

[SaxyOboist]

I wasn't trying to say that my parents were better than hers in any way. I was just stating that not all season ticket-holders are limited to sit on the other side. Maybe you were misreading the intentions of my post?

[Rightupinthere]

I wasn't trying to say that my parents were better than hers in any way. I was just stating that not all season ticket-holders are limited to sit on the other side. Maybe you were misreading the intentions of my post?

No, I wasn't. I stated that you were misreading Ohiogal's post into her saying that ALL season ticket holders were on the East side. She wasn't saying that at all.
It's an 'automatic' that most local season ticket holders are on the West side.

Ohiogal and I were simply stating that there are season ticket holder on the east side which are faithful to the orange and brown (some of them long standing). They deserve some of the halftime entertainment. Right now the ONLY entertainment directed at them is the opposing team's fight song.

[goofyeuph]

They deserve some of the halftime entertainment. Right now the ONLY entertainment directed at them is the opposing team's fight song.

You call the vistor's fight song entertainment?? True, I know we normally play it so poorly it's funny, but entertainment??? :coo-coo:

[Ohiogal]

I know we normally play it so poorly it's funny, but entertainment???

and about playing it 'poorly'... that really bothers me as I think of it as a show of poor sportsmanship. Music is music and the band should have pride in whatever it plays... even if it is Toledo's fight song. I'd just like you guys to be the 'bigger band' and play all fight songs with gusto instead of sounding like that green and white band that shall remain nameless.

*opens can of worms*

[goofyeuph]

I whole heartily agree. I think it's terrible that we always play the VFS like crap. However it's usally the product of having the music AT MOST a week before the game, rehearsing it once, MAYBE twice, and expecting it to sound decent. I honestly don't understand why we don't get the VFS's during Fundies week. I would have the believe that we have at least the other MAC school fight songs on file, and we always know who is coming WAY in advance. Personally that makes a lot more sense that the typical recent veiw that the VFS is an afterthought.