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Marching Band, any ideas?


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The band will never go back to highstepping halftime so long as Karriker is the director. He is a Drum & Bugle Corps baby and there is a reason that Corps do not high step anymore, and trust me, it is not a matter ability. Mr. Karriker does a lot of Corps style drill that simply isn't possible with highstepping too.

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The band will never go back to highstepping halftime so long as Karriker is the director. He is a Drum & Bugle Corps baby and there is a reason that Corps do not high step anymore, and trust me, it is not a matter ability. Mr. Karriker does a lot of Corps style drill that simply isn't possible with highstepping too.
pity
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The band will never go back to highstepping halftime so long as Karriker is the director. He is a Drum & Bugle Corps baby and there is a reason that Corps do not high step anymore, and trust me, it is not a matter ability. Mr. Karriker does a lot of Corps style drill that simply isn't possible with highstepping too.
Let the search for a new band director begin! :blink:
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Find a new band director? do you even know the man personally? If not then why would you jump to something so harsh so fast? Oh wait i forgot people who have no idea what they are talking about always are the ones who make themselfs look like an @$$. Karriker is the second best thing to happen to the university of akron marching band (the cheif was the first, if you dont know who that is then go to the band website and look around a bit.) Im not to sure if anyone really remembers but i know that we have played songs and shows that fans in the rubber bowl can get into. We have played crazy train, welcome to the jungle, the family guy theme, simpsons theme, CCR show this past year as well as a Led Zepplin show, couple years ago we did a mardi gras show with the percussion studio, we played viva las vegas, copacabana, the list could go on. We dont play anything the crowd can get into? yeah ok we do sometimes do a dud of a show but thats not our fault thats not karrikers fault its the powers that run the world of the music building. We have been asked many of times to do Rap songs and Pop songs but think about those songs for a second and think about how it would sound on coming from a marching band. The SAME beat the SAME 5 notes played over and over again. Hmmmm not really a crowd catcher if you ask me. If you want to see us high step all the time then I invite you and anyone else to come to one of our practices and just try it. Karriker is always open to people wanting to experience how much hard work we put in. Another thing the band kind of takes offense when no one is in the stadium for pregame which is a tradition (i remember reading the traditions should be kept around or something like that.) so get your asses in the seats for pregame, no just for us but for the football team as well they deserve to have as many people there as possible for the opening kickoff. Sorry for going off like that but some of the things being said on here are just stupid. If any one has any questions just ask and i will be more than happy to answer them. Just send it in a private message would be the easiest since im not on here all the time.

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Dear Dude,While I do agree more fans in the seats would make for a better overall band viewing experience, after watching how the band performances used to be (1990/91), the current unit has been lacking for several years now.

We have played crazy train, welcome to the jungle, the family guy theme, simpsons theme, CCR show this past year as well as a Led Zepplin show, couple years ago we did a mardi gras show with the percussion studio, we played viva las vegas, copacabana, the list could go on.
These type of songs are EXACTLY why I for one cannot get into the current unit. The ability is there for sure. The quality of song choices? No. The above mentioned songs are NOT GOOD BAND songs. Copacabana?!! Are you serious? Not only is the choices lame, many of them come off as very gay-like, very lacking in ANY testosterone what so ever. I want loud, drum-centric, pumped up songs. I want to see choreographed movements. Would be nice to see "ZIPS" spelled out, if we had enough members. Look again at the band alumni video. That is how a band should look, sound and feel.Again, I am NOT criticising your ability, just the song choices and lack of overall energy.We could have the min-script "OHIO" but with a "Z" "I" "P" "S" "ZIPS!!!"~Chris
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Find a new band director? do you even know the man personally? If not then why would you jump to something so harsh so fast? Oh wait i forgot people who have no idea what they are talking about always are the ones who make themselfs look like an @$$. Karriker is the second best thing to happen to the university of akron marching band (the cheif was the first, if you dont know who that is then go to the band website and look around a bit.) Im not to sure if anyone really remembers but i know that we have played songs and shows that fans in the rubber bowl can get into. We have played crazy train, welcome to the jungle, the family guy theme, simpsons theme, CCR show this past year as well as a Led Zepplin show, couple years ago we did a mardi gras show with the percussion studio, we played viva las vegas, copacabana, the list could go on. We dont play anything the crowd can get into? yeah ok we do sometimes do a dud of a show but thats not our fault thats not karrikers fault its the powers that run the world of the music building. We have been asked many of times to do Rap songs and Pop songs but think about those songs for a second and think about how it would sound on coming from a marching band. The SAME beat the SAME 5 notes played over and over again. Hmmmm not really a crowd catcher if you ask me. If you want to see us high step all the time then I invite you and anyone else to come to one of our practices and just try it. Karriker is always open to people wanting to experience how much hard work we put in. Another thing the band kind of takes offense when no one is in the stadium for pregame which is a tradition (i remember reading the traditions should be kept around or something like that.) so get your asses in the seats for pregame, no just for us but for the football team as well they deserve to have as many people there as possible for the opening kickoff. Sorry for going off like that but some of the things being said on here are just stupid. If any one has any questions just ask and i will be more than happy to answer them. Just send it in a private message would be the easiest since im not on here all the time.
No need to go off the deep end here.Not trying to speak for blueandgold, but my impression of the post was that it's a shame we can't see the band high-stepping again.I did not infer an implication that the band director should actually be replaced.Although, I too, would like to see the high stepping return.I've never been in a band and don't claim to be an expert. I'm just speaking from the viewpoint of a fan.Most of the years since I've been watching UA football, we've had a great band.Is the band playing to please the audience or themselves? I would think it would be a little of both.One thing that I believe should be dropped is calling the band "Ohio's Pride."I don't think ANYONE has EVER belived that one. I think Akron's Pride would be a bit more believeable.
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Find a new band director?  do you even know the man personally?  If not then why would you jump to something so harsh so fast?  Oh wait i forgot people who have no idea what they are talking about always are the ones who make themselfs look like an @$$.  Karriker is the second best thing to happen to the university of akron marching band (the cheif was the first, if you dont know who that is then go to the band website and look around a bit.)  Im not to sure if anyone really remembers but i know that we have played songs and shows that fans in the rubber bowl can get into.  We have played crazy train, welcome to the jungle, the family guy theme, simpsons theme, CCR show this past year as well as a Led Zepplin show, couple years ago we did a mardi gras show with the percussion studio, we played viva las vegas, copacabana, the list could go on.  We dont play anything the crowd can get into?  yeah ok we do sometimes do a dud of a show but thats not our fault thats not karrikers fault its the powers that run the world of the music building.  We have been asked many of times to do Rap songs and Pop songs but think about those songs for a second and think about how it would sound on coming from a marching band.  The SAME beat the SAME 5 notes played over and over again.  Hmmmm not really a crowd catcher if you ask me.  If you want to see us high step all the time then I invite you and anyone else to come to one of our practices and just try it.  Karriker is always open to people wanting to experience how much hard work we put in.  Another thing the band kind of takes offense when no one is in the stadium for pregame which is a tradition (i remember reading the traditions should be kept around or something like that.)  so get your asses in the seats for pregame, no just for us but for the football team as well they deserve to have as many people there as possible for the opening kickoff.  Sorry for going off like that but some of the things being said on here are just stupid.  If any one has any questions just ask and i will be more than happy to answer them.  Just send it in a private message would be the easiest since im not on here all the time.
AwesomeDude: What I am saying is that people want excitement, something to get them pumped up for the games. Sure, Karricker is a nice guy with nice credentials, but Corps style walking...err marching is boring. As far as trying it out. I've done it, both styles. I can tell you that people get excited over high energy, high step marching and I believe it is much more difficult to master. I was part of "Ohio's Pride" for several years and contrary to many of the band members beliefs, people are there for the football game, not the marching band. I'm not bashing the band. I'm just stating the obvious. I like the band. I don't like the current marching style and I'm not the only one. The band is there to add to the excitement of the game and that is not happening. Don't take it personally. :cheers:
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Comments on the band should NOT be taken personally. This site is the voice of the fan, and the band should be there to entertain the fan and not "play to its style". Like, all organizations on campus, especially sports, the band should be subject of high expectations being the most visible organization on campus. Why can't we have a band with energy like OU's? There are a lot of nonmusic majors who want to be in a group that entertains and feeds off the crowd.

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One thing that I believe should be dropped is calling the band "Ohio's Pride."I don't think ANYONE has EVER belived that one.  I think Akron's Pride would be a bit more believeable.
I've felt the same way for about 12 years now. I know, I know, the band has officially been called "Ohio's Pride" since before history began, but that label is one tradition that should mercifully be put out of its misery. It just doesn't fit... AT ALL! It only makes people roll their eyes. It's embarassing, really.Akron's Pride would be much, much better.And as far as high stepping: could the band high step their way onto the field for pregame and then march conventionally during the rest of the show?
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Regarding the highstep, it was taken away from halftime because it makes the band sounds like crap.
I disagree. High step and swing can sound good: watch this1990 pregame video
Man! I got goosebumps just watching that on my little computer screen!!! Too cool! If that doesn't give you pumped up nothing will!
Holy Big Crowd Batman!
I was thinking the same thing! Did you guys notice the crowd in the 1990 pregame video?! If JD can string a couple championship seasons together, along with the new stadium, I believe we should definitely have that kind of support again... and more!What led to the pitiful attendance dropoff? Would you guys say it was solely the losing under Lee Owens?
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ok ok ok i did go off the deep end and i apologize for it. We as a band try really hard to pick music that the fans would like. I have been on the halftime show committee for two years now and the main focus is to play music that the fans like. Some of the show ideas that are running through my mind for the up coming season are a john williams show. Im also thinking about a RUSH show but not sure if that will work out. Maybe a Micheal Jackson show. See this is our biggest block on the shows, the fan base is so widespread that it is hard to know what you want to hear. Going to a style like OU wouldnt really fit in this band. It used to but not anymore. Either way i still will march for the university of akron marching band because i love playing and i love being on the field hopeing that we pull off a show that you like.

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How about a Maynard Ferguson tribute (he died Aug 23, 2006)? Big band tunes usually work well. The John Williams show would be good. A Spanish theme (Malaguena, Carmen...) would be cool. Patriotic... Sousa...Sometimes the best music is stuff that many of the fans have never heard, but has lots of energy ("Theme from Mondo Cane - More", "Temptation", some classical music).

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Just my opinion, but I think a John Williams show would be a lot of fun! A few pages back I posted an idea for a popular movie score show and listed Star Wars, Superman and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Those are all the work of John Williams, aren't they? That would rock, everyone would be familiar with the music, and all of those scores would kinda get people excited too (it's what they were designed to do!)And when we start our new pre-game band rally at the JAR, we should stick with some John Williams fare!

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Here's some ideas... Trouble with today's pop music, there is just too many styles out there... You'll never make anyone happy... Stick with the classics....Star Wars show... Who doesn't know the theme, and some of the other songs from Star Wars...More ideas...- Beatles Show? (Did that back in the 1980's)- Devo Show... bring DEVO back, let them do a half time show with UAMB.- Disney... Yes, I know can be "hokey" but everyone recognizes it... Pirate of the Carribean?- Years ago we did a Civil War show, with mortars and everything... - Classics Show - 1812 with Canon's in the End Zone.Also, look at some other events that are happening in Fall 2007... any major movie sequels? Thought I heard Raiders of the Lost Ark? Do a Raiders show...

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We have done the 1812 overature before with the cannons in the end zone i think it was about 2 or 3 years ago. The only problem with the classics is that yeah everyone likes them but remember there are these college kids that have no respect for classical music and dont really want to hear it. Thats why we try our hardest to do shows that everyone will like.Keep shooting ideas this way and we will try to get them rolling for next year.

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The only problem with the classics is that yeah everyone likes them but remember there are these college kids that have no respect for classical music and dont really want to hear it.
Since when is it ONLY college kids that are listening? And how is one supposed to have respect for classical music if one is never exposed to it? It's not all "elevator music"!
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I didnt say that its only college kids that are listening did I? No i didnt. I just said we are trying to play things that everyone likes and that everyone can get into. No matter what we choose to do i could bet that there will be people that dont like it, and if we play something they like then theres going to be someone else that doesnt like that. To be honest its a lose lose situation and we are doing our best. Cut us some slack, we do only get a couple home games to play some shows we as a band think you will like. Throw more ideas our way.

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I didnt say that its only college kids that are listening did I? No i didnt. I just said we are trying to play things that everyone likes and that everyone can get into. No matter what we choose to do i could bet that there will be people that dont like it, and if we play something they like then theres going to be someone else that doesnt like that. To be honest its a lose lose situation and we are doing our best. Cut us some slack, we do only get a couple home games to play some shows we as a band think you will like. Throw more ideas our way.
Don't worry about pleasing the students. They are not paying attention at halftime anyway. Take a look next time. Most people that are watching and enjoying the halftime show are alumni and others in the community. I have seen quite a few good ideas on this thread already. :thumb:
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Ok yes i do agree that the students dont pay that much attention, and that most of the people that watch halftime are alumni. So if we play songs that the alumni likes and such then theres going to be students that come at us and say we dont play anything that they like. See what im getting at. Theres always going to be a problem due to the fact that everyone is so diverse. We do try our best.Give us some good ideas except for john williams, im planning on bringing that one to the table.

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How about a Maynard Ferguson tribute (he died Aug 23, 2006)?
wow, i am saddened to hear that...I didn't even know and I've been a big Maynard fan since seeing/hearing him light up EJ Thomas Hall a few times. I just figured I would hear it in the news when he went, but of all places on zipnation.com! A tribute show would be very appropriate and I'm sure a number of bands will do that this fall now that there's been some time to prepare. He was a real advocate of getting youngsters into music and jazz and he will be missed. RIP, MF :(
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What amazes me is the number of ideas you're getting... Tell Galen, Bob - there are people that do care about what songs they do play... I'm happily surprised by the number, and actual ideas posted in this discussion forum...Good luck, hope some of these ideas turn into a half time show.InterFX

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Ok yes i do agree that the students dont pay that much attention, and that most of the people that watch halftime are alumni. So if we play songs that the alumni likes and such then theres going to be students that come at us and say we dont play anything that they like. See what im getting at. Theres always going to be a problem due to the fact that everyone is so diverse.
You seem to have a problem with most ideas people post. Why not keep the concerns you have to yourself and just use the ideas you like. It isn't necessary for you to respond to every post. You would probably shoot down the next idea anyway. The restrictions you impose appear impossible to overcome, so go with the largest most loyal group. I liked the high step high energy the marching band was.
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