Pregame

[SaxyGirl85]

After watching my dvd's, pregame appears to be identical this year to last year. The only thing that has changed is the form that we use for Ay-Zig and Alma Mater, which changes every year anyway. As far as I can tell, nothing else has changed (entry or downfield drill).

it's not so much that PREGAME has changed...it's more than PEOPLE in pregame have changed. The whole switch of ranks and columns and the people in them...ya know? there's no "trumpet rank", "sax rank" or anything like that...the instrumentation is spread out now as opposed to how it used to be. That's really the only change, other than you mentioned, the "formation" in the middle where we play Ay Zig and BG...

i'm STILL not used to standing to play the first half of Happy days!! There should be a step off on ONE! haha

[The Niz]

All of the ranks used to step off one by one in unison also, now we don't use that drop off method anymore. Also, the rank switching means a lot more to some sections than others, i.e. the euphs. We had a very important ritual right before we took the field and that is no more.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

Someone needs to tape this and put it on YouTube so I can make an informed decision.

That said, if there are changes I don't like, I'll be visibly distraught.

[billchase2]

After watching my dvd's, pregame appears to be identical this year to last year. The only thing that has changed is the form that we use for Ay-Zig and Alma Mater, which changes every year anyway. As far as I can tell, nothing else has changed (entry or downfield drill).

i'm glad to hear this too.

yeah, people like to change things from year to year... mix things up a bit. that's understandable. make tweaks... do the usual little changes that have always been made... but don't do anything major. pregame is one of the few traditions the FMB is still doing and i really hope they keep it that way.

i'm not very fond of the axing of "1st and 10" that i read about in the football forum... it makes me kind of wonder if the band had something to do with it as i know a couple sections had other sayings they'd do shortly after it.

[SaxyGirl85]

After watching my dvd's, pregame appears to be identical this year to last year. The only thing that has changed is the form that we use for Ay-Zig and Alma Mater, which changes every year anyway. As far as I can tell, nothing else has changed (entry or downfield drill).

i'm glad to hear this too.

yeah, people like to change things from year to year... mix things up a bit. that's understandable. make tweaks... do the usual little changes that have always been made... but don't do anything major. pregame is one of the few traditions the FMB is still doing and i really hope they keep it that way.

i'm not very fond of the axing of "1st and 10" that i read about in the football forum... it makes me kind of wonder if the band had something to do with it as i know a couple sections had other sayings they'd do shortly after it.

we didn't have anything to do with them cutting that. Dr. Hayward told us during fundies week that the athletic department wasn't getting the response from the "cheer" that they wanted....since only the band and the cheerleaders were yelling "first and ten....do it again" (or alternate versions)...we were all pretty bummed they cut it too. So now I guess the plan is coming up with something new to play there with hopes that the crowd will join in with it...we'll see, I guess.

[It's the Journey...]

I am also dissapointed about hearing the "first and ten" cheer will not be played, but I do like some of the other stuff the athletic department has come up with. As far as pregame is concerned, I am relieved no major changes have taken place. I like the idea of spreading the instrumentation out across the block. I think it will make for a much better sound when marching down field. Now it just needs to be clean and i'll really be happy...

[BGDM06]

Pregame entry and down the field is Basically the same....some of the ranks were changed to fill in holes because some of the numbers were "down" so to speak some of the sections. I think that it looks good though......The middle part of pre-game has changed....it will take some getting used to I will say. I think that once the band gets it down....it will look great....its a matter of controlling the chaos right now.

[Ms.Falcon]

Actually ranks have been moved, sections are in different places now, tuba entry has even more tubas this year which means they have no alternates and last but not least entry is not a drop off drill anymore, we dont all leave at the same time anymore which used to be my favorite part.

My section is not filling any hole, we moved from a 12 rank to a 12 rank all together.

I just think it would be great if Dr. H would just tell us why she did what she did, maybe there is more to it then i know but we have the right to know since its everyone's band.

[FMBEuphtastic]

I agree-It seems like sections who technically had the numbers to complete a rank if everyone marched ended up doing just that. Personally, I find it dangerous-I myself have arthritis in both knees, and a confirmed meniscus tear in one-all of which combined with pregame could be problematic no matter how hard I try to take care of them. And I know for a fact that at least three of the euphs have knee problems. I'm not saying "zomg, we need alternates cuz we're gonna die." But it seems like Dr. Hayward didn't listen as closely to leadership when they requested the numbers they did for pregame. I understand we've got to fill the spots, but not if it doesn't leave us any room for accidents. Which ALWAYS happen. Someone inevitably gets injured-It's a fact of marching band.

I agree with Ms. Falcon. I don't need to know EVERYTHING going on in Dr. Hayward's mind, but I'd appreciate knowing why she chose to override leadership on this. I know for a fact Niz asked for at least one alternate. And who better to understand the section and its strengths and weaknesses than the section leader?!

[Strouse]

Actually ranks have been moved, sections are in different places now, tuba entry has even more tubas this year which means they have no alternates

The Maggots now do entry with 16, much like last year. It's a little ridiculous if you ask me, but hey, we have no idea what Dr. Hayward is thinking until she someday decides to tell us. Also, until our fellow Maggot returns from Iraq, we cannot afford to get injured. Which sounds like a similar situation with the euphs.

[The Niz]

We have been rehearsing pregame nearly every day. How long we keep that up is yet to be seen, but as long as it is rehearsed plenty, the injuries should stay at a minimum. The more we rehearse pregame, the stronger our bodies will be, and the stronger we all are the less prone to injury we will be. So, let's hope we keep rehearsing pregame.


I did ask for one alternate, I asked for one horn to shadow Howe 12 just in case there was a problem. I'm not sure the horn section could come up with one.

[It's the Journey...]

Nearly every day??? In my day we were lucky if we only did pre game 5 times per day. I believe this is the reason why it hasn't been up to par the past few years. Repetition will make it better.

[The Niz]

Better repetition will make it better. There's no sense in doing it wrong ninety times a day.

[Ms.Falcon]

I aggree, we practice it but not all the way or everything. We did tunnel drill what like twice last week, if that. Maybe its just because i'm from a competition band but when you practice things the goal is to clean them not skip half of it.

[tubachic]

Tonight I witnessed the 2007 version of the FMB Pregame and WOW has it changed. I didn't realize that there was a rank for just one Saxophone. I couldn't tell if the saxophone was behind his line or massively in front of a line. Do they still teach 8 to 5? It's a good thing the uniform pants don't have the white strip on the side anymore...... Now I know all Alumni say "back in my day, we were always perfect, marching Pregame uphill in a snow storm" How about cutting down the size of the Pregame block and having auditions. Do they still make cuts? And do you really need 12 cymbal players to march Pregame?

OK I'm done venting....I still love good ol'BG, and it still kills me not to be marching 12 years after I graduated. I wore my old faded BGSU Marching Band jacket with pride tonight, and as a High School Band Director I have sent my students to march at BGSU.


and I will still send them because the sound of the band has not changed, it is still tremendous!!





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