to backbend? or not to backbend...

[Ohiogal]

I'm going to Yoga tonight... we'll see what happens

As for tossing the mace, we were sent to camp one year and learned it there. Wonder why DMs aren't sent to camp anymore? It helped us... and it was FUN

[Rightupinthere]

I'm stretching. See? I'm sitting in my cubicle chair leaning over the back of it. Can't you hear the creaking and cracking (and it's not the chair)?

This should be interesting. Hey, D- shoot me an email. I wanna know what we're doing for eats and other assorted get-togethers with you, your hubby, and your offspring.

[FliccGirl]

Time to call up your old band friends and pester them again..... we only have around 70 alumni signed up to come this year so far!

[Shakeatailfeather04]

I think it's a little late now, registration had to be in by last Friday. And if you don't have a sweet orange windbreaker, no marching for you.

[FliccGirl]

Aw, well boo.

[Rightupinthere]

There may be some more add-ons later. 70 is disappointing but not terribly surprising.
Bonnie was the connection alumni still held to the band department. Now that she is 'gone', there is very little familiarity to the band department. I'm going to just leave it at that since the band brass and admins of the music school read this board.

What will bring the alumni back?

I would really like to see the alumni band and regurlar band bring back *gasp* BUFFO.

Now, BUFFO used to be more than a spirit group. It was also a alumni band/regular band bash with dancing food and the like (the like was kegs upon kegs of beer). it was quite festive at the time. Once booze was not permitted on-campus any longer, BUFFO - the event - went downhill and eventually died a quick death during my tenure. We tried to have it sober but there was only about a dozen or so alumni who bothered showing. The rest of them were downtown drinking.

I would like to see some sort of gathering the day after the game which would create more incentive for the alumni band members to come back. It doesn't even need to included booze. Have a day at the Toledo Zoo or some like activity. There needs to be more than just showing up and marching pre-game.

There can be lots of opportunity to create a more of an "event" type atmosphere which would be a magnet for the alumni. The more alumni and activities, the more money gets back into the coffers of the band dept - and that is why a strong alumni base is so important to the band department.

I come back to support my alma mater and to support the current FMB. I also get to catch up with some of me old mates from days of yore. And yeah, re-live some of the glory days as well.

I tried to get on the alumni band board but I was - uh - too "old school" to make the nomination cut.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

There may be some more add-ons later. 70 is disappointing but not terribly surprising.
Bonnie was the connection alumni still held to the band department. Now that she is 'gone', there is very little familiarity to the band department. I'm going to just leave it at that since the band brass and admins of the music school read this board.

What will bring the alumni back?

I would really like to see the alumni band and regurlar band bring back *gasp* BUFFO.

Now, BUFFO used to be more than a spirit group. It was also a alumni band/regular band bash with dancing food and the like (the like was kegs upon kegs of beer). it was quite festive at the time. Once booze was not permitted on-campus any longer, BUFFO - the event - went downhill and eventually died a quick death during my tenure. We tried to have it sober but there was only about a dozen or so alumni who bothered showing. The rest of them were downtown drinking.

I would like to see some sort of gathering the day after the game which would create more incentive for the alumni band members to come back. It doesn't even need to included booze. Have a day at the Toledo Zoo or some like activity. There needs to be more than just showing up and marching pre-game.

There can be lots of opportunity to create a more of an "event" type atmosphere which would be a magnet for the alumni. The more alumni and activities, the more money gets back into the coffers of the band dept - and that is why a strong alumni base is so important to the band department.

I come back to support my alma mater and to support the current FMB. I also get to catch up with some of me old mates from days of yore. And yeah, re-live some of the glory days as well.

I tried to get on the alumni band board but I was - uh - too "old school" to make the nomination cut.

I WISH. I think I'd make a great Buffo. 8)

[FliccGirl]

SOME kind of event would be a really good idea, I think. I always feel.... I dunno.... isolated from the alumni band on Homecoming, in a way.... it's like, "Hey, guys.... um.... we're current marchers.... so we'll stand over here and you stand over there, and our group will wave at your group."

Sorta like whenever we encounter a band from another school-- it disappoints me when we're not allowed to actually mingle and talk with them one-on-one as real people-- but it's way more important with the alums, since we've all been members of the SAME band.

Would an alumni/current marcher event really generate interest among the alums, do you think? (Even if no alcohol were involved? )

[Rightupinthere]

Would an alumni/current marcher event really generate interest among the alums, do you think? (Even if no alcohol were involved? )

I believe there would be interest. We would just have to market the snot out of it. Start planning this thing in the winter.

It doesn't need to be a "high brow" type of event. Yeah, we could have fun guest speakers and other folks stop in (the Falcon mascots for instance). Split out people with their rank and/or section. I'm willing to wager that some of the old war stories and tradition would get passed a great deal during one of these events (much to the chagrin of the current band brass, I'm sure).

I would love to sit with a bunch of Baker rank (I may be an ex drum major but before that I was Baker 11.)

To tell you the truth, it probably wouldn't have a huge following the first year. It would be as you described it: different sects just passing glances. It would be like a middle school sock hop with boys on one side and girls on the other (I may be dating myself here, but just follow along).

I've made this suggestion before to certain folks within the band board. I believe there's an intimidation to pull the trigger.

Granted, it may be a little more difficult now that the games are in the evening. I understand this, but there should be something which could be done. There HAS to be something to bring the alumni back.
We should have at least a 200 piece alumni band every year.

I don't really have answers and I'm not in a position where I can do too much to help. All I can do is make suggestions at this point.

During the meeting this year, I really believe I'm going to mention AZZ.com and make mention that there is a band message board. This will create a double benefit: One) it will get more of a personality to the current bandos (Like I know you all now) and two) I'm pretty sick of being one of the oldest ones on this board.

[Rabbit]

Mark, I think I might be older than you, so you aren't the oldest person on this board!

I remember those Buffo parties VERY well...at least parts of them! Man, those were fun. I remember holding them in the circular building and in Offenhour lounge...and when the campus went dry we tried one year holding it at a social building at someone's apartment complex, remember? Those parties were great, we got to mix with the alumni and hang out.

[Rightupinthere]

Mark, I think I might be older than you, so you aren't the oldest person on this board!

I remember those Buffo parties VERY well...at least parts of them! Man, those were fun. I remember holding them in the circular building and in Offenhour lounge...and when the campus went dry we tried one year holding it at a social building at someone's apartment complex, remember? Those parties were great, we got to mix with the alumni and hang out.

THOSE were the ones. There was a year (1989?) when we tried to have an "official BUFFO" party in the band room. It went over like a lead balloon.

And yes, you would be the oldest one.......WHEN you come around. Sheesh, Jan.

Are you going to be there Saturday?

[Rabbit]

I forgot about that bandroom Buffo party, yep that wasn't great.

No, I won't be there this weekend. It takes a lot for me to attend a FB game when I have to do it every week as part of my job LOL...last year I sat in the freezing rain wondering why I was doing this in my FREE time! Marching band season is so hectic for me, it's hard to fit in the 'fun' things on weekends. I'd like to go, my niece is in the FMB (was a trumpet, changed to flute this year grrrr!).

[FliccGirl]

Hey, your niece must be Shannon then. Glad she turned away from the dark side.

[Rabbit]

Hey, your niece must be Shannon then. Glad she turned away from the dark side.

Hey now, I am a trumept player

LOL give her heck from me....tell her to eat a Myles Pizza for me, I miss that place!!!!!!

[Godsgirlerific]

tell her to eat a Myles Pizza for me, I miss that place!!!!!!

Oh my stars, that pizza is heavenly!! This is the pizza that Chase and I concocted freshman year, and it's still my favorite: chicken breast, colby cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. (Did I miss anything, Chase?) Few things are more satisfying than feeling how heavy that pizza box is when it's delivered to your apartment.