Hockey Band?

[BGHockeyisRtradition]

Where has the hockey band been? I have been to several of the games and I have only seen them once. They are an awesome band; though I did not see the guitar guy when the band was there either. I hope we can get the band to play more often; well hopefully they can play at every home hockey game.

[musicman2343]

Athletic band is in full swing starting this week. Since the majority of students in the band are in both marching band and athletic band, they have to wait until football season is essentially over. They will be at every home hockey game unless a game falls over a break.
Alumni band tries to take some of those games that the athletic band can't cover.

Also, the bass guitarist graduated.

[Falcon Fanatic]

*stepping up onto my soapbox*

Sorry to complain about this once again, but your post brings out the "grrrrrr" in me!!! It is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS that a music department of our size cannot field a legitimate HOCKEY BAND that plays for ALL OF THE FREAKIN' HOME GAMES!!!

*stepping back down off of my soapbox*

(sorry, this has been a major bitch of mine for a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME!!)

[BGDrew]

Agree with FF. There's no reason a Division 1 university can't have a band at every home game for revenue sports. The athletic and music departments need to work together to get this done.

[musicman2343]

I agree with both of you, trust me. I would love the band to play at every home athletic event.

I think it was last year that two of my friends and I took instruments to a hockey game and played even though the band wasn't there. The student section got into it too.

[Falcon Fanatic]

I think it was last year that two of my friends and I took instruments to a hockey game and played even though the band wasn't there. The student section got into it too.

That's awesome!!

[musicman2343]

Different level, same principle - in high school, my HS pep band played all the boys BB games and only 4 to 5 of the girls BB games and it never made sense to me... We had 2 bands and could have easily played all of them. I still don't know why we didn't and I was ticked about it.
I was the PA announcer for the girls so I could never play in the band regardless for those games, but you could definitely tell there was a different atmosphere when the band was missing...

[Falcon Fanatic]

Completely agree about the kind of atmosphere a band provides at home games!! If we are going to become a top level team again (which I truly believe we will), then we need everything that goes along with it and a band at ALL games should be a routine part of it. PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS!!

[jg4242]

This is not about athletics working with music. The band directors work very closely with Athletics to ensure that as many games get covered as possible. The problem is, athletic band is a spring semester class. Marching band is a fall semester class. The two bands use the same players, staff, and equipment. The marching band already meets for over 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Asking the students to start covering more events than they already do isn't exactly reasonable. Further, the athletic bands need to rehearse just like any other musical ensemble, and they are already bending the rules to meet and play in November and December before the class has officially started. They do their best to work with Athletics and the Alumni Band to cover big games before they begin meeting, but they simply can't cover everything, it's logistically impossible.

[Falcon Fanatic]

jg4242, I do understand what you are saying, but I have to ask this, why does playing at the hockey games (or basketball) games have to be a "class?" It sounds like there isn't enough music students to cover the athletic events because they are all tied up with marching band requirements. I find it hard to believe that there aren't more than enough students who play instruments, and who enjoy hockey and/or basketball, to be a part of our athletic events. Maybe it's time for a VOLUNTEER hockey band....

[*soapbox warning*]And why is there ALWAYS a band at the men's basketball games? There should be a band at basketball AND HOCKEY! EVERY GAME! Back in the "glory days" there was always a band at the hockey games. At EVERY weasel and spartan home hockey games, they have their band playing and getting the crowd into the games. In fact, we are probably one of the very few hockey schools that don't have a band at ALL home games. (Sorry, but this topic has irritated the hell out of me for a very, very long time!! ) [/*end soapbox warning*]

Gee, BGHockeyisRtradition, aren't you glad you started this thread?

[jg4242]

There isn't always a band at men's basketball. Once we start the a-band season, EVERY home game is covered unless it falls on a break. Anything before that is alumni or volunteers. For example, we've covered 2 hockey, 2 WBB, and one MBB game so far this year with alumni and volunteers.

Also, EVERY ensemble is a class at BGSU. And there is no requirement for music majors to be in the marching band. It just so happens that the people who do marching band tend to be the ones who do athletic band.

[BrightStar]

I agree. I am always disappointed when the band is not playing at the hockey games. It adds so much to the game. I don't get to a lot of basketball games, but it seems that the pep band is always there. The band really helps make Anderson ROCK, and it adds a lot to the excitement at the ice arena also. There is nothing like entering the arena for a game with the band blaring out a tune. And while I am at it, what happened to "Sweet Caroline"? I always enjoyed that song and sang along as my wife and I walked during the second intermission. If the band wants to start a new "traditional" song, I suggest Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' "

[realmenskip]

From what I heard from an FMBer of this past year, Dr. Hayward said that the athletic department decided that Sweet Caroline was no longer to be used at the games.

It was speculated by this same person that the athletic dept is trying to be like certain Big 10 schools who play that crappy canned music to 'engage the fans' . No offense, but seeing how half the fans at the WMU game (football) left after the band performance (i stayed for the whole game, for the band i'll admit) I think the Athletic Dept is going the wrong way.
Maybe if the team performed as good as said Big 10 school the fans would be more into the game as well......

[The Niz]

The music program is actually not big enough, and not funded nearly well enough, to support ensembles for every home sporting event. Putting an official band in the stands costs money. That being said, no one should doubt the power of volunteers. "Never doubt the heart of a volunteer..."

[Falcon Fanatic]

We had a BIG band there last night at the hockey game, but just wished they played more!! Absolutely frickin' HATE IT when they play the stupid canned music when we have THE BAND THERE!!!!

So, athletic hockey band....PLAY LOUD, PLAY OFTEN, PLAY AT EVERY FREAKIN' STOP OF THE GAME, or they will play the stupid canned crap!!!

GO FALCONS!!
BEAT THE LAKERS..........PLEASE!!!!!