Jms195

I was really going to try to stay out of this, but after reading the entire thread I do have a few things to say.I was a member of the marching band for 4 years, two at the Rubber bowl, and then two at Infocision. Also, I did all four years as a member of blue and gold brass for basketball. To your first statement- I honestly don't see how this can possibly be offensive! It is for respect! I'm sorry if you feel it is traitorous, but obviously you don't understand good sportsmanship. I'm also sorry that you don't feel the pride in traditions that most real fans do.To your second statement- This fact may surprise you, but most of the members in marching band aren't even required to be there. The only major that requires you to do marching band is Music Education, and there really aren't that many!!! These other students WANT to be there and volunteer their time and energy to support our teams! BasketballThe third statement- There is actually a schedule of when we play that is given to us by the stadium coordinators! It splits up the times when the band plays, when the cheerleaders perform, and also when the dance team performs. So now, we don't just take it upon ourselves to play whenever they feel like it. If you have a problem with the amount of time we are given, take it up with the people of the JAR.The fourth statement- This is actually something I agree with you on. My first year there were just a slim amount of people who auditioned and were accepted into the band. It was small and sounded balanced and not too over powering. However, these past few years (I have not been a student for the past 2 years) I agree that the band has over grown. I have been told that the numbers have literally doubled because they now have "alternates" that even though they didn't make the band, they are allowed to show up anyway if they want, making the band double the size it needs to be. I agree it now sounds over powering, and unbalanced! I totally agree that the director needs to put his foot down and make it just the small auditioned band that it needs! The fifth statement- Again, I agree with you here. I don't understand why, but they have taken it upon themselves to start sounding like "special needs" people during some of the chants. I also find it immature and VERY inappropriate! If you want to chant, chant!!! Be a part of the cheering! All in all, I don't find anything wrong with the way that the marching band is conducting themselves and the traditions that are kept, but I do think that some things should be addressed with the pep band during basketball season! I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I am looking at this from both a band member, and an attending patron! I love you rowdies, and I know A LOT of you from you formerly being a band member as well! I just don't understand why there can't be unity among us!