Looking for all those band people...

[Metz]

I can honestly say I don't give a sh*t about BG's football

My opinion of you pretty much just pulled a 180. Classless. Also, why should I take up you not giving a sh*t with Dr. Hayward? I really don't think she has anything to do with that.

I really hope people don't think your opinion is one of the entire band. I don't know how many times I get yelled at for yelling at officials and actually watching the game when I should be playing.

[BGMaggotGirl]

First a foremost R4E, if you have a problem with the band or band program there are much more productive places to vent your frusterations. There is a band forum here on azz.com. You may also email either Dr. Hayward ([email protected]) or perhaps Dr. Moss, director of bands ([email protected])

I wasn't at this past Saturday's game, but I was in the band for 2 1/2 years...and yes, there are issues with cutoffs.
If you've ever looked at the band you'd notice that the drum majors backs are to the field. Not ideal, but it's the best that can be done. I'm not sure about YOU, but our drum majors DON'T have eyes in the backs of their heads. They rely on band members who can see the field to tell them when the players are taking the field. So by the time the drum majors are told to cut off, they actually do the cut off and all 200+ members of the band stop playing...yea, the players probably ARE at the line of scrimmage. It's an imperfect system.

Can you honestly say EVERYONE else in the entire stadium is quiet and only the band is making noise?

[Falcon137]

Can you honestly say EVERYONE else in the entire stadium is quiet and only the band is making noise?

It's not tennis or golf. The crowd doesn't have to be quiet, but the band playing while a play is going on, is like pumping in artificial noise, a no no.

[BGMaggotGirl]

Can you honestly say EVERYONE else in the entire stadium is quiet and only the band is making noise?

It's not tennis or golf. The crowd doesn't have to be quiet, but the band playing while a play is going on, is like pumping in artificial noise, a no no.

My point is, unfortunately, the team will never be able to play in the perfect silence R4E seems to think is needed at a football game.

Another point to consider, band members frequently talk to each other while the rest of the band is playing. So I'm not entirely sure that the team is affected THAT much while running plays from 30+ yeard away.

And, this was said in the previous topic on the same subject but I will reiterate, the football team has had NO problem complaining about problems with the band in the past, and referees HAVE told the band to stop playing. If it WAS currently an issue, the band would have absolutely been notified. So while I understand fans being *frusterated* by the situation, until players/coaches start complaining...I really don't see the situation changing any time soon.

[goofyeuph]

I've avoided chiming in on this subject thus far, but I don't feel like being silent anymore. I want to preface my comments by stating: a) I am a 4 year alumni of the FMB ('01-'04), b) I have not seen the FMB since the New Frontiers show last fall.

If the band playing over the game is going on in the manner stated by several over the last few weeks, this is a HUGE problem. This is very un-sportsman like, and not conductive of the "Class Act" that Dr. Hayward preaches about. While I don't have the FMB Handbook infront of me, I believe one of if not the first purpose of the FMB is to support the football team. I'm going to say it: The FMB exists because of the football team. The FMB is there to support the football team. At 200+, you are the largest cheerleader the football team has. Is the football team the only reason the FMB exists? By all means, no. That just happens to be the largest and most identifiable reason. Playing after the no/huddle break is a flagable offense, and the band has been flagged for this in the past in one of the early games in 2004, don't remember which one. The band also didn't play for about 12:00 of the 4th quarter because of it, much to the dismay of the fans/students.

I am understanding of it happening a couple of times (4 max) per game. The DM's are human (right?), mistakes happen. However it is sounding like the mistakes are starting to become habits. This is something that must be addressed if the FMB is to grow into the true "Class Act" that is its goal. Several have said that if the football team/athletic department had a problem with the band playing while the game is going on that they would speak up in a heartbeat. I agree that this is true. The athletic department has been quick to step up in the past when displeased with the FMB in some form or another. However, this is the "As long as we don't get caught, it's alright" argument. Integrity can be defined as what one does when they know no one is watching. The FMB should have the Integrity, with Integrity being one of the FMB Core Principles, to do the right thing and play only during appropriate times. They should not wait to be scolded for doing something they know to be wrong in the first place before making a change.

Perhaps the current members of the FMB can bring the concerns that are being voiced on this board to the attention of the Section Leadership, the DM's and to Dr. Hayward. I also implore those on here who have seen this going on to e-mail or call Dr. Hayward directly. I would e-mail her myself, however as I said earlier I am working entirely on hear-say.

Please understand that the vast majority of my post here is not directed at the rank and file of the FMB, but rather at the DM's and administration. I love the FMB, and have many fond memories of my time as a member of the band. About 60% of the reason I go to ANY football game is to see the band. However, I do recognize that there is also a football game going on, which is actually the "Main Event" for the outing. I support the FMB in all that you do, and hope to see you grow into the class of the entire NCAA football country that I believe you are capable of becoming. I sincerely hope that things are not as bad as they sound. Best of luck with the rest of your season. And remember, even though you make take a bashing on an internet message board, TSASOTFMB!!!

[BGMaggotGirl]

I guess for me the issue lies with this whole "no huddle offense." The MAC handbook DOES clearly state that the band is supposed to stop playing once the offensive team breaks the huddle. But at what point exactly is the band supposed to stop if there is no huddle to break? When they're AT the line of scrimmage? Cuts it kinda close. When they're 5 yards away? 10? Should the band just not play at all?
That decision, for the time being, is left to our drum majors. Who, as stated, are human like the rest of us and make mistakes.

I love the football team, university,etc. as much as the next person...but if it's perfection you seek and you're intent on posting on the *football* forum, how about attention be focused on *their* perfection?

[goofyeuph]

I see your point Maggot Girl. I agree that the wording of the rule is a tad confussing, espically when you take into consideration that the general trend in college football is towards the no huddle style of offense. Me personally, I would like to see it changed to something like "when the offense approaches the line of scrimmage" rather than "breaks the huddle". I feel that is more or less what the rule implies, and is what most people would agree to. As a fan of both the band, and the team, stopping play as the team approaches the line is perfectly acceptable by me, and I would wager decent money that most on this board be satisfied with that as well.

Yes, the DM's are human. Are they perfect? I gather that they are not. However should that hinder the pursuit of perfection? Absolutely not. Surely as a musician you can understand and appreciate this. I have no problem with mistakes. I make several throughout the day (more on the days I have to work ) However you must learn from your mistakes and improve yourself. From reading this board the last couple of weeks, I am lead to believe that the DM's are not learning from their mistakes, or that if they are, they are taking their sweet time employing their lessons.

This is a thread about the band, even if it is misplaced in the football forum. The band is present at every home football game, and a large number of away games, even if just as a bunch of band kids road tripping it on their own dime. That is why it got posted here. Some people don't see the band as anything other than part of the football game (we both know band is so much more than that, but I guess that's our little secret ).

[PresBG]

You know...somehow, I feel like we've been down this road before. Oh wait...it's because we have.

Look, life as a BG Football fan is not particularly pleasant right now. The team is 3-4, has a very crappy home losing 'thing' going on, the quarterback has had some off days here and there - more like 5 of them in my opinion (Akron counts too), and on the sidelines our once knight in shining armor in GB looks now like a guy who made a knight's costume out of boxes of Natty Light. To surmise, life in the Doyt lately has made many of us start to question things.

As I stated in "Rip on the Band: Part I", I am a proud 5 year alum of the FMB. And again, I will state that there were plenty of times that I disagreed with the choices of the leadership of the band (director, DMs, student staff), even when I was part of the leadership. Despite that, I have an undying love and respect for the FMB, even if it is an bad performance day, if they just sound obnoxious, or even when they are doing something I completely disagree with....like the wave.

However, after being in the band for 5 years and watching from the sideline / truck crew for what would be my 6th, I can tell you without a doubt that the FMB is probably one the most well run collegiate marching bands in the state, if not the nation. Are they the best? Not by a long shot. And guess what, that's ok. If they were perfect in every way and made absolutely no mistakes of human error, 1) I'd be really concerned and 2) they may as well be based in Columbus....oh wait, that band makes mistakes too.

Goofy is right. There was a time in 2004 (correct me if I'm wrong, its ok) when the band was, whether politely or not, to shut up. The FMB was in some way interfering with communications and/or violating NCAA rules. Regardless of the actual reason, for the better part of the 4th quarter that night...all you heard was football. No band until after the final whistle.

People make mistakes. Like Joe Biden would say, I'll say that again. People make mistakes. And just like in the last thread (because this thread might as well be the same thing)...drum majors miss cutoffs, opportunities to play, and sometimes play when they shouldnt (i.e. flags); cheerleaders miss spots; dance team members arent always in time with each other; SICSIC is occasionally rowdy when not appropriate; and yeah, Freddie and Frieda sometimes scare little kids (and some big ones). Guess what, things happen. Get over it.

For the individual who asked in the last thread if there could be a drum minor...yeah, ok....so the dm (drum minor) tells the DM (drum major) whats up? who tells the dm if he's not paying attention? and then who tells that person? and so on and so on? But more importantly, a drum MINOR? really?

And now the fun part:

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY WHEN THERE IS ACTION ON THE FIELD.

let me repeat.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY WHEN THERE IS ACTION ON THE FIELD.

I thought your own people made that clear to you last week. Yet your leaders decided that they were going to play with action on the field yet again. Whoever is leading the band needs to be removed, and maybe the band shouldn't be allowed to play at all.

Really? I've been to numerous other stadiums across the country and had the opportunity to hear many other fine collegiate marching bands, including one that happens to play at one Yaeger Stadium (my apologies for the spelling) in Oxford, Ohio. If you truly stand by your statement sir, then I truly weep for college football, because that would mean that every drum major and band director in the country should be removed and replaced (and by what, a perfect band directing robot?) AND/OR no college marching band should play at all. Trust me, EVERY EVERY and again EVERY college marching band has committed the same "crimes against humanity" that my beloved FMB is being charged with now.

The FMB exists because of the football team. The FMB is there to support the football team. At 200+, you are the largest cheerleader the football team has. Is the football team the only reason the FMB exists? By all means, no.

Goofy, love ya, but this is a very confusing statement. You say the FMB exists because of the football team....and then say it doesn't. So does it?

If you have a complaint, please email it to the band director.

+1.
Or to Greg Christopher...or to Dr. Bruce Moss, Director of Band Activities...or to Richard Kennell, Dean of the College of Musical Arts....or to Dr. Ed Whipple, Vice President for Student Affairs....the list goes on and on...and i'm sure we all agree that the Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com message board is a great place to voice your frustration and opinions, but the wrong place to try and get your point across to the upper level management of the Falcon Marching Band and influence change. If you want to change something, do something.


My point - yes, the Falcon football team is having a rough season. From off-the-field issues to horrible coaching decisions - things are not going as planned this year. And there have been years like this in the past too. Funny thing though...the band wasnt hauled in to be put on trial for their crimes like they are this year. Makes me wonder if people are starting to think that the band is responsible for what's going on over on the sidelines or even on the field. Regardless, I respect those of you who have posted and your thoughts on the matter, but I still think you're barking up the wrong tree in order to see any change. GO FALCONS.

[TG1996]

For the individual who asked in the last thread if there could be a drum minor...yeah, ok....so the dm (drum minor) tells the DM (drum major) whats up? who tells the dm if he's not paying attention? and then who tells that person? and so on and so on? But more importantly, a drum MINOR? really?

I think someone forgot their sarcasm goggles.

And the only reason I made that comment at the time was because the trend of the *ahem* "discussion" was that the drum major having his/her back to the field was the main issue.

[jlozer8]

If there isn't a football game at the Doyt, does anyone show up to watch the band?

Actually yeah, the parents of the kids in the band! Really though, if there is a football game at the Doyt, is anyone going to show up to watch that anymore?

+1

Lol, so true!

[goofyeuph]

The FMB exists because of the football team. The FMB is there to support the football team. At 200+, you are the largest cheerleader the football team has. Is the football team the only reason the FMB exists? By all means, no.

Goofy, love ya, but this is a very confusing statement. You say the FMB exists because of the football team....and then say it doesn't. So does it?

Ok, I guess I botched that a little. Let me to try to explain what I meant. One of the largest reasons that the FMB was born was because of the football team. However since that time the FMB has grown (both figuratively and literally) into something that is much more. The football team is still a large reason the FMB exists, however it is no longer as big of a reason as it was some 80+ years ago.

I hope that helps clear things up from my end.

[SaxyGirl85]

I can honestly say I don't give a sh*t about BG's football

My opinion of you pretty much just pulled a 180. Classless. Also, why should I take up you not giving a sh*t with Dr. Hayward? I really don't think she has anything to do with that.

I really hope people don't think your opinion is one of the entire band. I don't know how many times I get yelled at for yelling at officials and actually watching the game when I should be playing.

lets be honest, you never really had a good opinion of me anyway
and that's NOT what i meant...all i'm saying is that if someone has an issue with how the band is doing things, they should voice their concern where it's going to be heard, not on some football forum, or a band forum for that matter. and no, I really don't care about football, i don't understand it, i don't go to the games specifically for it...but i guess saying i don't give a sh*t about it was a little harsh...sorry.

[Metz]

I guess for me the issue lies with this whole "no huddle offense." The MAC handbook DOES clearly state that the band is supposed to stop playing once the offensive team breaks the huddle. But at what point exactly is the band supposed to stop if there is no huddle to break?

What happens when a team breaks from the huddle? They proceed to the line of scrimmage. So lets be real, when they are on the line of scrimmage, the FMB should NOT be playing.

[Metz]

all i'm saying is that if someone has an issue with how the band is doing things, they should voice their concern where it's going to be heard, not on some football forum, or a band forum for that matter.

Sometimes the people you want to hear your opinions don't care to really listen to them.

and no, I really don't care about football, i don't understand it

I would have hoped that in the number of years in the band, you would have learned something about the sport while spending 8 hours almost every fall weekend around it!

[PresBG]

For the individual who asked in the last thread if there could be a drum minor...yeah, ok....so the dm (drum minor) tells the DM (drum major) whats up? who tells the dm if he's not paying attention? and then who tells that person? and so on and so on? But more importantly, a drum MINOR? really?

I think someone forgot their sarcasm goggles.

And the only reason I made that comment at the time was because the trend of the *ahem* "discussion" was that the drum major having his/her back to the field was the main issue.

Yeah, suppose I could have taken those darn goggles off. Sorry. lol.


And on a totally random note: anyone else notice how quickly this thread started to die the minute it got moved to the band forum? I am glad that this thread got moved to where it should have been started in the first place (including the other wonderful thread), but where are the near 5-10 pages of posts like the last time?

Where is everyone that has/had a problem? Have all the concerns finally been addressed? Interesting...