Band-related New Info Traditions

[Aaron]

I'm one of those crazies who spent 6 yrs in band trying to improve things, 4 years UG, 2 yrs Grad (Stryker - are you Zips DM?). So my ideas for improvement are going to be a bit technical, but here goes.When Mr. Karriker first came to the university, he changed our pre-game marching style to one that is technically quite a bit more difficult than something that say, OU does, but will produce clean lines and a huge sound when implemented correctly. Here's the problem - we've rarely (if ever) implemented that high step well. In my opinion, we have enough people now that we don't necessarily need the sound boost from the raised step. If we went with the easier show style high step, it would look more exciting to fans, who probably don't really care about how strong the sound is. In other words, an easy step done well is preferrable to a difficult step done poorly (at least to me).I would love to see run-on changed to a formation where the band could be playing to the whole stadium at once. From the student section in the rubber bowl, the band was just too far away to hear the drum cadence well, and the sound was all focused on the home sideline. With the new stadium, there will be no 'home side', and hopefully a new pre-game will be developed that plays to everyone in the crowd. After the initial playing of our fight song, as well as the opposition's, I never could understand why the band moved around while playing the short stand cheers. Those would be much more effective if everyone in the stadium could hear what the band is playing the entire time. I would also like to see a 'related formation' for God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner, instead of the concert setup they do each week. Even better, maybe God Bless America can be switched out for other patriotic songs from time to time. Maybe armed forces marches based on which ROTC presents the flag that day? It would pick things up a little bit between the Alma Mater and the National Anthem.Next, drop 'Win for Akron'. It's slower than most other things we play, its boring (barely moves), nobody outside the band knows the words, and its not even the school's fight song. Play something exciting instead while going to the block Zips please! This song could even change week to week, or cycle through 2-3 pieces. Going into the tunnel is great, but why does the band just stand around while you're there? I believe the drumline could and should continue to play, building up to the team entrance, getting everyone so fired up they don't care if the other team is coming out of their tunnel. I wish people were so fired up for the Zips coming, they don't even care about booing the other team. The team comes out, and boom, we have fireworks, the fight song (played to the ENTIRE stadium, not just a few people on one side), before a spirited march off the field, with the band keeping up energy until they make it all the way off the field.Again, this isn't a huge change from what we have now, but I think they could be significant improvements. Fans like OU because they play to the crowd, and do what they need to do to be always together and sound strong. Musicians and band folk who don't come from swing bands (I'm looking at you, Massillon) tend to dislike OU because they do things as easily as possible, keeping all style and no substance. OU will get invited to many parades year after year, because TV cameras don't care about how you sound, they care about how you look. Never use parade invitations to measure the worth of a band, as many parades will never invite strong sounding bands - their echoes off buildings would sound horrible for the television. I personally hope our band NEVER wears capes, and never dances. We're a marching band, not a dance team.Aaron O,Zips MB 97-03

[Zips DM]

(Stryker - are you Zips DM?

Aw, you caught me!... those are all good ideas. However I would favor not changing our repertoire for pre-game sans the away fight song, as It would make it possible for us to MEMORIZE MUSIC!!! Our sound would increase if we were more confident, and our visuals would look 5 to 10 times better... approximately.But playing to the whole stadium?.... brilliant.

[tpsjugglerdude]

I'm one of those crazies who spent 6 yrs in band trying to improve things, 4 years UG, 2 yrs Grad (Stryker - are you Zips DM?). So my ideas for improvement are going to be a bit technical, but here goes.When Mr. Karriker first came to the university, he changed our pre-game marching style to one that is technically quite a bit more difficult than something that say, OU does, but will produce clean lines and a huge sound when implemented correctly. Here's the problem - we've rarely (if ever) implemented that high step well. In my opinion, we have enough people now that we don't necessarily need the sound boost from the raised step. If we went with the easier show style high step, it would look more exciting to fans, who probably don't really care about how strong the sound is. In other words, an easy step done well is preferrable to a difficult step done poorly (at least to me).I would love to see run-on changed to a formation where the band could be playing to the whole stadium at once. From the student section in the rubber bowl, the band was just too far away to hear the drum cadence well, and the sound was all focused on the home sideline. With the new stadium, there will be no 'home side', and hopefully a new pre-game will be developed that plays to everyone in the crowd. After the initial playing of our fight song, as well as the opposition's, I never could understand why the band moved around while playing the short stand cheers. Those would be much more effective if everyone in the stadium could hear what the band is playing the entire time. I would also like to see a 'related formation' for God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner, instead of the concert setup they do each week. Even better, maybe God Bless America can be switched out for other patriotic songs from time to time. Maybe armed forces marches based on which ROTC presents the flag that day? It would pick things up a little bit between the Alma Mater and the National Anthem.Next, drop 'Win for Akron'. It's slower than most other things we play, its boring (barely moves), nobody outside the band knows the words, and its not even the school's fight song. Play something exciting instead while going to the block Zips please! This song could even change week to week, or cycle through 2-3 pieces. Going into the tunnel is great, but why does the band just stand around while you're there? I believe the drumline could and should continue to play, building up to the team entrance, getting everyone so fired up they don't care if the other team is coming out of their tunnel. I wish people were so fired up for the Zips coming, they don't even care about booing the other team. The team comes out, and boom, we have fireworks, the fight song (played to the ENTIRE stadium, not just a few people on one side), before a spirited march off the field, with the band keeping up energy until they make it all the way off the field.Again, this isn't a huge change from what we have now, but I think they could be significant improvements. Fans like OU because they play to the crowd, and do what they need to do to be always together and sound strong. Musicians and band folk who don't come from swing bands (I'm looking at you, Massillon) tend to dislike OU because they do things as easily as possible, keeping all style and no substance. OU will get invited to many parades year after year, because TV cameras don't care about how you sound, they care about how you look. Never use parade invitations to measure the worth of a band, as many parades will never invite strong sounding bands - their echoes off buildings would sound horrible for the television. I personally hope our band NEVER wears capes, and never dances. We're a marching band, not a dance team.Aaron O,Zips MB 97-03

Some good thoughts. I agree about the high step, your chairstep (thats what we called it at least in HS) fails to look good because lots of people get off and some people are only halfassing their step making it look sloppy (that happens with almost every band that does it). As much as I like the highstepping and dislike the glide step I say you should switch. The highstepping evidently can't be improved with only 3 days a week of practice. I also think you should double time in from multiple locations. This usually jacks up the crowd. Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

[maemmfc]

(Stryker - are you Zips DM?

Aw, you caught me!... those are all good ideas. However I would favor not changing our repertoire for pre-game sans the away fight song, as It would make it possible for us to MEMORIZE MUSIC!!! Our sound would increase if we were more confident, and our visuals would look 5 to 10 times better... approximately.But playing to the whole stadium?.... brilliant.

Not that we'll have any problem having a loud sound when playing to the whole stadium. We went on the tour, you know they said they made it so all the sound stays in. It's gonna be really loud, according to them. I the audience will hear us more than before & want to pay more attention... which also leads to being perfect if more people watch. I can't count how many times I've looked in the stands & have only seen 25% of the crowd on the "home" side (although, doesn't everyone sit anywhere?) paying attention.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I think the band should switch to the 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-5 stack formation.

[Zip Watcher]

I think the band should switch to the 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-5 stack formation.

:lol: Great post!

[bandzip]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

[bandzip]

I'm one of those crazies who spent 6 yrs in band trying to improve things, 4 years UG, 2 yrs Grad (Stryker - are you Zips DM?). So my ideas for improvement are going to be a bit technical, but here goes.When Mr. Karriker first came to the university, he changed our pre-game marching style to one that is technically quite a bit more difficult than something that say, OU does, but will produce clean lines and a huge sound when implemented correctly. Here's the problem - we've rarely (if ever) implemented that high step well. In my opinion, we have enough people now that we don't necessarily need the sound boost from the raised step. If we went with the easier show style high step, it would look more exciting to fans, who probably don't really care about how strong the sound is. In other words, an easy step done well is preferrable to a difficult step done poorly (at least to me).I would love to see run-on changed to a formation where the band could be playing to the whole stadium at once. From the student section in the rubber bowl, the band was just too far away to hear the drum cadence well, and the sound was all focused on the home sideline. With the new stadium, there will be no 'home side', and hopefully a new pre-game will be developed that plays to everyone in the crowd. After the initial playing of our fight song, as well as the opposition's, I never could understand why the band moved around while playing the short stand cheers. Those would be much more effective if everyone in the stadium could hear what the band is playing the entire time. I would also like to see a 'related formation' for God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner, instead of the concert setup they do each week. Even better, maybe God Bless America can be switched out for other patriotic songs from time to time. Maybe armed forces marches based on which ROTC presents the flag that day? It would pick things up a little bit between the Alma Mater and the National Anthem.Next, drop 'Win for Akron'. It's slower than most other things we play, its boring (barely moves), nobody outside the band knows the words, and its not even the school's fight song. Play something exciting instead while going to the block Zips please! This song could even change week to week, or cycle through 2-3 pieces. Going into the tunnel is great, but why does the band just stand around while you're there? I believe the drumline could and should continue to play, building up to the team entrance, getting everyone so fired up they don't care if the other team is coming out of their tunnel. I wish people were so fired up for the Zips coming, they don't even care about booing the other team. The team comes out, and boom, we have fireworks, the fight song (played to the ENTIRE stadium, not just a few people on one side), before a spirited march off the field, with the band keeping up energy until they make it all the way off the field.Again, this isn't a huge change from what we have now, but I think they could be significant improvements. Fans like OU because they play to the crowd, and do what they need to do to be always together and sound strong. Musicians and band folk who don't come from swing bands (I'm looking at you, Massillon) tend to dislike OU because they do things as easily as possible, keeping all style and no substance. OU will get invited to many parades year after year, because TV cameras don't care about how you sound, they care about how you look. Never use parade invitations to measure the worth of a band, as many parades will never invite strong sounding bands - their echoes off buildings would sound horrible for the television. I personally hope our band NEVER wears capes, and never dances. We're a marching band, not a dance team.Aaron O,Zips MB 97-03

We need some more of these posts! Though I don't agree with everything you said there are a lot of great ideas that we'll be sure to look into. Thanks Aaron!

[RootforRoo44]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

[bandzip]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

OU basically stomps around the field. It makes the sound suffer really bad since your upper body is bouncing all over the place. We do a chair step, kind of a mix between a glide and show band step which makes it a lot smoother. The idea is it keeps your upper body perfectly straight with your horn about parallel to the ground and allows you to have a much steadier airflow and posture leading to a better sound and it doesn't screw up your lips. The problem is that if you don't do it completely right it's really uncomfortable and to make everyone look uniform it takes a lot of concentration and you get tired pretty quick. If you slack off at all it looks like crap. Hope that helps!

[RootforRoo44]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

OU basically stomps around the field. It makes the sound suffer really bad since your upper body is bouncing all over the place. We do a chair step, kind of a mix between a glide and show band step which makes it a lot smoother. The idea is it keeps your upper body perfectly straight with your horn about parallel to the ground and allows you to have a much steadier airflow and posture leading to a better sound. The problem is that if you don't do it completely right it's really uncomfortable and to make everyone look uniform it takes a lot of concentration and you get tired pretty quick. If you slack off at all it looks like crap. Hope that helps!

If you've ever listened to them you'd hear that they are the loudest band in the MAC and one of the loudest in the country. There is not one person with any knowledge of College football or marching that would agree that their sound is anything but loud and projected.In terms of you guys marching the way you do, you really should find something that everyone can handle because what you do now is already too tough it seems. A tougher marching style like Grambling State or Ohio University would be great just most bands cant handle it.

[bandzip]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

OU basically stomps around the field. It makes the sound suffer really bad since your upper body is bouncing all over the place. We do a chair step, kind of a mix between a glide and show band step which makes it a lot smoother. The idea is it keeps your upper body perfectly straight with your horn about parallel to the ground and allows you to have a much steadier airflow and posture leading to a better sound. The problem is that if you don't do it completely right it's really uncomfortable and to make everyone look uniform it takes a lot of concentration and you get tired pretty quick. If you slack off at all it looks like crap. Hope that helps!

If you've ever listened to them you'd hear that they are the loudest band in the MAC and one of the loudest in the country. There is not one person with any knowledge of College football or marching that would agree that their sound is anything but loud and projected.In terms of you guys marching the way you do, you really should find something that everyone can handle because what you do now is already too tough it seems. A tougher marching style like Grambling State or Ohio University would be great just most bands cant handle it.

The problem is that you're equating a "loud" sound with a "good" sound. There is definately a difference. Listen to the video again really carefully you'll hear people sticking out and out of tune bad. That's why they get the reputation they do from people who know music. Can't has the same problem, except they aren't big enough to compensate for it. I know you don't care because you're going to be drunk and you want them to be loud and pump up the crowd, but a lot of people do.

[RootforRoo44]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

OU basically stomps around the field. It makes the sound suffer really bad since your upper body is bouncing all over the place. We do a chair step, kind of a mix between a glide and show band step which makes it a lot smoother. The idea is it keeps your upper body perfectly straight with your horn about parallel to the ground and allows you to have a much steadier airflow and posture leading to a better sound. The problem is that if you don't do it completely right it's really uncomfortable and to make everyone look uniform it takes a lot of concentration and you get tired pretty quick. If you slack off at all it looks like crap. Hope that helps!

If you've ever listened to them you'd hear that they are the loudest band in the MAC and one of the loudest in the country. There is not one person with any knowledge of College football or marching that would agree that their sound is anything but loud and projected.In terms of you guys marching the way you do, you really should find something that everyone can handle because what you do now is already too tough it seems. A tougher marching style like Grambling State or Ohio University would be great just most bands cant handle it.

The problem is that you're equating a "loud" sound with a "good" sound. There is definately a difference. Listen to the video again really carefully you'll hear people sticking out and out of tune bad. That's why they get the reputation they do from people who know music. Can't has the same problem, except they aren't big enough to compensate for it. I know you don't care because you're going to be drunk and you want them to be loud and pump up the crowd, but a lot of people do.

are you seriously in the band? Like for real? I'm shocked still at what you are saying. First off you are on the side they are facing away from and it's a crappy camera video so it's impossible to tell loudness. Also, i dont know where you hear this out of tune stuff. I think you need to start giving credit where credit is due and just accept the fact that Ohio University has the best marching band in the MAC and are leaps and bounds ahead of ours. Though we shouldnt want to emulate them, we should at least be striving to be as good or better in our own way instead of just picking out things that are wrong with them. We should especially stop makign up things and saying they are bad.

[Aaron]

are you seriously in the band? Like for real? I'm shocked still at what you are saying. First off you are on the side they are facing away from and it's a crappy camera video so it's impossible to tell loudness. Also, i dont know where you hear this out of tune stuff. I think you need to start giving credit where credit is due and just accept the fact that Ohio University has the best marching band in the MAC and are leaps and bounds ahead of ours. Though we shouldnt want to emulate them, we should at least be striving to be as good or better in our own way instead of just picking out things that are wrong with them. We should especially stop makign up things and saying they are bad.

Ok, I may get some flack for posting this on an Akron board, but I believe (at least as of 3-5 years ago) the best marching band in the MAC is probably Central Michigan. To me, their depth of sound and precision marching is fantastic. They're not a large band, but every time I've seen them, everybody plays their part without fault, and creates a strong unified sound. But, that's the opinion of someone who doesn't like show bands, and can tell when a band's low sound is off balance with the high pitches. Ohio U's band always struck me as a bit unprofessional, too high-schoolish for my taste, and when they play their music, it never sounds quite right to me. Kind of like a tune played through $10 speakers instead of a Bose. However, OU is the ONLY show band in the MAC, and if you like show/swing bands, no one else can compete. I don't see Akron ever performing in a style like OU's. One of the best comparisons for Akron's band is going to be Pitt or Cincinnati - we should be able to be at their level if not greater year after year.

[zipseuph]

FINALLY...responsibility! Thank you and i wish you luck in your work to make this thing better. Honestly, i think this entrance is awesome:Just dont do this crap:

You want to do...the OU one? I'm just curious what you find interesting about it. I personally don't like it because it kind of bores me, all they do is move forward & backward. Then again, that's just my opinion! I'm no Michigan fan, but if you changed a few things here & there, I think their pregame would be pretty good. Again, this is just me.

The OU one is clean and professional. It also gets the crowd going. The Michigan one looks like a bunch of fairys prancing all over the place, the last thing we need is to look gay when our band comes onto the field.I'm also confused as to how the sloppy marching style we use is "harder than OU's"? I honestly dont care how we march, as long as everyone looks on the same page and not out of sync like we are 99% of the time.

OU basically stomps around the field. It makes the sound suffer really bad since your upper body is bouncing all over the place. We do a chair step, kind of a mix between a glide and show band step which makes it a lot smoother. The idea is it keeps your upper body perfectly straight with your horn about parallel to the ground and allows you to have a much steadier airflow and posture leading to a better sound. The problem is that if you don't do it completely right it's really uncomfortable and to make everyone look uniform it takes a lot of concentration and you get tired pretty quick. If you slack off at all it looks like crap. Hope that helps!

If you've ever listened to them you'd hear that they are the loudest band in the MAC and one of the loudest in the country. There is not one person with any knowledge of College football or marching that would agree that their sound is anything but loud and projected.In terms of you guys marching the way you do, you really should find something that everyone can handle because what you do now is already too tough it seems. A tougher marching style like Grambling State or Ohio University would be great just most bands cant handle it.

The problem is that you're equating a "loud" sound with a "good" sound. There is definately a difference. Listen to the video again really carefully you'll hear people sticking out and out of tune bad. That's why they get the reputation they do from people who know music. Can't has the same problem, except they aren't big enough to compensate for it. I know you don't care because you're going to be drunk and you want them to be loud and pump up the crowd, but a lot of people do.

are you seriously in the band? Like for real? I'm shocked still at what you are saying. First off you are on the side they are facing away from and it's a crappy camera video so it's impossible to tell loudness. Also, i dont know where you hear this out of tune stuff. I think you need to start giving credit where credit is due and just accept the fact that Ohio University has the best marching band in the MAC and are leaps and bounds ahead of ours. Though we shouldnt want to emulate them, we should at least be striving to be as good or better in our own way instead of just picking out things that are wrong with them. We should especially stop makign up things and saying they are bad.

just as soon as you stop bringing them up and telling us how we are so god aweful compared to them. if you are going to throw them in our face don't be surprised if we remind you that they aren't gods

[tpsjugglerdude]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

[bandzip]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

Just stating a fact man. We were crticized in another thread saying it was too much of a rip off. Here's the link before you you bite my head off.Classic Script ZipsAfter reading that thread again I realize that Root4Roo was complaining back then too. Instead of complaining just give us some reasonable suggestions and we'll listen.

[maemmfc]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

Just stating a fact man. We were crticized in another thread saying it was too much of a rip off. Here's the link before you you bite my head off.Classic Script ZipsAfter reading that thread again I realize that Root4Roo was complaining back then too. Instead of complaining just give us some reasonable suggestions and we'll listen.

I like the idea of a script Zips. We already dot the I of Zips, or so they did this year (I don't know about previous years, as I'm only a freshman here). I found it annoying & think there's no need for it, but I'd still prefer the script Zips.One of the main reasons, other than I prefer the way that it looks to our current pregame, is that I also hate marching the stick-like Zips script from the block A -- which is also very odd looking, as in it was never perfect. I was at the top of the A, the top right hand corner (from an aerial view) & no one could ever make the diagonal or get in line with the point in which the top of the A & the right diagonal meet. It looked so sloppy (both the back/top line & the diagonal). I think mainly because the diagonal was so long, & also many freshmen were in that line (that really shouldn't make any difference, but sometimes it's true, because if you're high school wasn't hardcore enough & strict enough in making diagonals PERFECT or if you have one or two bad marchers, it screws up the entire line).I guess the point I'm trying to make, although I went off track talking about the new block A we were introduced to in band camp last season, is that I don't quite like our pregame. Mind you, like I said I'm only a freshman & have been in this mband for only a year, but I'm just saying. I think we should definitely bring back that 1991 pregame. I think we could do it... if everyone else works hard/is dedicated enough. I know I'd try to....... haha.Believe me, we're trying to make the band better. My friends & I discuss different ideas for the band all the time, & we're trying.

[zipseuph]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

Just stating a fact man. We were crticized in another thread saying it was too much of a rip off. Here's the link before you you bite my head off.Classic Script ZipsAfter reading that thread again I realize that Root4Roo was complaining back then too. Instead of complaining just give us some reasonable suggestions and we'll listen.

I like the idea of a script Zips. We already dot the I of Zips, or so they did this year (I don't know about previous years, as I'm only a freshman here). I found it annoying & think there's no need for it, but I'd still prefer the script Zips.One of the main reasons, other than I prefer the way that it looks to our current pregame, is that I also hate marching the stick-like Zips script from the block A -- which is also very odd looking, as in it was never perfect. I was at the top of the A, the top right hand corner (from an aerial view) & no one could ever make the diagonal or get in line with the point in which the top of the A & the right diagonal meet. It looked so sloppy (both the back/top line & the diagonal). I think mainly because the diagonal was so long, & also many freshmen were in that line (that really shouldn't make any difference, but sometimes it's true, because if you're high school wasn't hardcore enough & strict enough in making diagonals PERFECT or if you have one or two bad marchers, it screws up the entire line).I guess the point I'm trying to make, although I went off track talking about the new block A we were introduced to in band camp last season, is that I don't quite like our pregame. Mind you, like I said I'm only a freshman & have been in this mband for only a year, but I'm just saying. I think we should definitely bring back that 1991 pregame. I think we could do it... if everyone else works hard/is dedicated enough. I know I'd try to....... haha.Believe me, we're trying to make the band better. My friends & I discuss different ideas for the band all the time, & we're trying.

all great points.to bad there from a flute player and therefore don't matter but honestly keep the good stuf coming!

[maemmfc]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

Just stating a fact man. We were crticized in another thread saying it was too much of a rip off. Here's the link before you you bite my head off.Classic Script ZipsAfter reading that thread again I realize that Root4Roo was complaining back then too. Instead of complaining just give us some reasonable suggestions and we'll listen.

I like the idea of a script Zips. We already dot the I of Zips, or so they did this year (I don't know about previous years, as I'm only a freshman here). I found it annoying & think there's no need for it, but I'd still prefer the script Zips.One of the main reasons, other than I prefer the way that it looks to our current pregame, is that I also hate marching the stick-like Zips script from the block A -- which is also very odd looking, as in it was never perfect. I was at the top of the A, the top right hand corner (from an aerial view) & no one could ever make the diagonal or get in line with the point in which the top of the A & the right diagonal meet. It looked so sloppy (both the back/top line & the diagonal). I think mainly because the diagonal was so long, & also many freshmen were in that line (that really shouldn't make any difference, but sometimes it's true, because if you're high school wasn't hardcore enough & strict enough in making diagonals PERFECT or if you have one or two bad marchers, it screws up the entire line).I guess the point I'm trying to make, although I went off track talking about the new block A we were introduced to in band camp last season, is that I don't quite like our pregame. Mind you, like I said I'm only a freshman & have been in this mband for only a year, but I'm just saying. I think we should definitely bring back that 1991 pregame. I think we could do it... if everyone else works hard/is dedicated enough. I know I'd try to....... haha.Believe me, we're trying to make the band better. My friends & I discuss different ideas for the band all the time, & we're trying.

all great points.to bad there from a flute player and therefore don't matter but honestly keep the good stuf coming!

Too bad I was one of the best marchers at my high school! & hang out with brass players (& want to learn & switch to trumpet at some point!)But, I'm a big marching band fan, soo.... I enjoy this coming up with new stuff & improving upon marching thing.& thanks!

[Blue & Gold]

Why don't you guys do the classical script Zips anymore? (we don't have to make a big deal about dotting the "I" like some schools). And I definitely think the drumline needs to learn a lot more cadences to mix it up. I hear the same one over and over in the stands.

We were criticized in another thread for even bringing up the idea. It's too much of an OSU rip off.

Rip off of OSU? Who do you think actually started it?........................Thats right, MICHIGAN at an OSU MI game. the band did it in the 90's so who cares? If we don't want it to be a rip off then we won't worry about dotting the "i" That is the real tradition for OSU. Tell me this isn't cool.

WOW! The script Zips looks VERY DIFFICULT!! My big concern would be perception. A wise man (or a foolish man) once said perception is reality. Unfortunately, exceedingly few people are knowledgeable enough about marching bands to know that Michigan did indeed do the first script Ohio and that a number of bands across America do a script this or a script that. It's nothing unique to OSU. However, as absolutely wrong as they may be, I guarantee that 100% of the spectators at the Info would perceive and believe that we are attempting to shamelessly rip of Columbus State if we did a script Zips.

[interfx]

Bring back Bossa Nova!!! (and drum cadence 16)

[WinZip]

I really like the Script Zips!...and as a trumpet player I can agree...flutes don't matter.jk keep up the great work bandPS. Maybe you could get a bunch of organizations involved in the Script Zips..I mean I don't know how it works, but if you had the chorus on the field singing the fight song while the "zips" was being set up it'd be nice (I worry how many people in the stands would sing). Then when it's in place the band could take over and get 30,000 people clapping and pumped. The more involved the better!

[interfx]

Here's what PreGame used to look like. We started with a double time, and knee lift and SWING! (Trust me it it hard to double time, and then come in with that entrance) At 6:05 is what is called the Bossa Nova... Perhaps some older bands persons on here know what that is...There's a bunch of old videos on YouTube, look for ZipsAlumniBand...Check out what Navy thought of the band - listen to the end...

[bandzip]

Here's what PreGame used to look like. We started with a double time, and knee lift and SWING! (Trust me it it hard to double time, and then come in with that entrance) At 6:05 is what is called the Bossa Nova... Perhaps some older bands persons on here know what that is...There's a bunch of old videos on YouTube, look for ZipsAlumniBand...Check out what Navy thought of the band - listen to the end...

That's almost exaclty how pregame looked last year, minus the horn swing and the fact that we run off the field afterwards.