[Blue & Gold]

We haven't visited this topic in a while, but, to anyone in the marching band, and everyone part of the ZipsNation, what pregame plans is the university putting together? We'll be opening the Info before we know it, so I'm assuming our athletic department has spent countless hours, and many sleepless nights, researching, brainstorming and planning the entire game day experience, right?

Pregame band session in the JAR? Military-style, drum-cadence-driven parade from the JAR to the Info?

Anything?

Again, I haven't heard a peep on this subject in a very long time and the silence has me more than a bit concerned.

[Zips DM]

I only use Can't's band in comparison because it is such a blatant contrast. I would assert that Akron's band is better than plenty of other bands in many ways, but those aspects which make Ohio's Pride "better" are less obvious to the average fan. I understand that the goal of a band is to entertain the audience, but it is also the duty of any good ensemble to protect the art form and advance the sophistication of the audience. Much like football has officials and rules to protect THE GAME, music and band have numerous unwritten rules; many of which are being broken by some "popular" marching bands.

Yes Akron's band isn't perfect, and we are not one of the popular bands... but we have enough pride, dignity, and love for the art of music to maintain a higher performance standard, albeit an unattainable one. Sure we could play easier music.... and sure we could play it extremely loudly... and sure we could hump the air and dance while we play...But that ruins the challenge for us, and it ultimately sells the audience short. We respect the audience too much to give you that type of performance.

From my perspective; turning into a "showy" "popular" band would be giving up, like the American League allowing steroids so that their games can be more entertaining, or like the football team renouncing the rules in order to win. It is a slippery slope if we choose to lower our standards...which is why we refuse to do so. So if you guys don't respect the band for it's entertainment, at least give us a nod for our devotion to the art, and our values.