ZachTheZip Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 When I was at the Patriot Bowl, I noticed that every time I saw the band, both at the pre-game festivities at the square and during the game, I couldn't help thinking to myself "Wow, the band has become really huge". After talking to other Zips fans, one of them informed me that there were over 100 new members this year, effectively doubling their size compared to last year. I'm not sure if that is true, but it sure seemed like it. You could hear them very well, and the addition of more tubas/sousaphones has really given the songs an attitude that was lacking. Whoever is in charge of recruiting for the band deserves some serious kudos.The fact that no one has commented on this yet leads me to believe that it was just me and a few others' perception, but it sure seemed like there were more students than before, unless there were a bunch of alumni marching with them (hard to tell).Also, has anyone heard a rumor that the band is not going to Columbus on saturday because OSU wanted to charge full admission (not the "discounted" student price) for every band member to attend? With the band expanding so much, the budget won't allow for it. I guess it is a two-edged sword, but one I will take gladly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Maybe no one wants to comment because they played to the visiting side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 If adding 100 doubled them, then they are finally close to what it was when I was in it (200-250). Wonder what happened to make them shrink so much? Corps style perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 I liked it when the band would storm the field on and off. They also truly marched and sounded great to boot. Usually had something cool going on like when the percussion passed drum sticks with the last person tossing it across the field to the first person, or shooting bullets out of a gun for a 007 salute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 My freshman(?) year we did a train and had "smoke" coming out of the stack. don't recall the music, but I think it could have been "Chatanooga Choo-Choo". We also used to have a Shriner game and the Shriners would come on the field and we'd unfurl a HUGE U.S. flag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Been there, saw that. That was fun stuff for the family to see. Good music still, but boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 So long as they're just walking around the field playing John Tesh arrangments .. it won't really be interesting. The dude on the corner playing a sax w/ a monkey generates more energy than a strolling band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Craig Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 The dude on the corner playing a sax w/ a monkey generates more energy than a strolling band.LOL! I think I'm going to pee myself! Better find a bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 UA David. I noticed that too. They were playing towards the visiting side, and I couldn't hear them that well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsbandman Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 The reason the band has shrunk so much is that costs of education and living expenses has risen over the years and a lot of members are forced to work a good deal of hours. Juggling rehearsals and study time in there can be pretty tough when you still have to pay for school. The band will increase again in size as enrollment rises and the number of residential students increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodthts Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 so i was sitting in my seat at halftime with 6 friends and turned to my buddy when the band came on and said these exact words:" boy i really hope they dont start off with a neil diamond or barry manilow selection"AND.... Neil Freaking Diamond....boy it really sucked, looked nice, but really stunk. And they didnt even play to where the fans were sitting....WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandgold Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 so i was sitting in my seat at halftime with 6 friends and turned to my buddy when the band came on and said these exact words:" boy i really hope they dont start off with a neil diamond or barry manilow selection"AND.... Neil Freaking Diamond....boy it really sucked, looked nice, but really stunk. And they didnt even play to where the fans were sitting....WTF? That is the exact reason that marching band's aren't taken seriously. If you want people to watch, then play something people enjoy. If not, people will just get up and wonder around during your pre-game and halftime show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckzip Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 I remember a few years ago Akron hosted, I think it was Hampton, in the Heritage game. My oh MY, the other band totally and completely blew the UA band away. They were playing great music. The UA band played the typical boring crap.My son and I were at the game, and whenever the other band played we loved it.Nearly everytime the UA band would try to play at the same time and we were upset that they were interfering with the other band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips DM Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Talk's cheap folks... what do you want to hear?We in the band are open to suggestions, and if an idea is feesable, and has enough interest...we'll do it....And don't just say "play better music"P.S. For all of those old band members that think we walk all the time.... try adjusting your bi-focals and taking a look at pre-game. I think you'll find that the tradition of chair-step at Akron is still around...sans the convulsive horn swing.P.P.S. Learn the words to your fight song people...or maybe even the alma mater. P.P.P.S. The whole playing toward the away side at the Army game was dictated by the event coordinaters at brown's stadium. It wasn't us snubbing our "fans."P.P.P.P.S. Just FYI last year we were 156, and this year we are 181 (the drumline is marching make-shift uniforms, as we didn't have enough) The number of Sousaphones(Tubas) is exactly the same as last year, and we are marching with 104ish freshmen. And we have a new director this year, Mr. Michael Beard...so introduce yourself, and remember: If you don't have anything nice to say.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips DM Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Oh, and one more thing (sorry to keep interfering with your complaining)The folks at the Patriot Bowl asked us if we could do a patriotic show. So rather than playing America the Beautiful and Stars and Stripes... we thought we'd play something more pleasing to the audience.We do really try to entertain you folks. It’s just hard to please all of the people all of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 A few suggestions:Gonna Fly Now -- Maynard Ferguson versionMagnificent Seven -- Bernstein(?)Roll With the Changes -- REO SpeedwagonAmerican Woman -- The Guess Who (showcase those sousa's!)Two Tickets to Paradise -- Eddie MoneyJump -- Van HalenBuddy Holly -- WeezerRocky Mountain High -- John DenverThunder Island -- Jay FergusonCountry Road -- James TaylorLivin for the City -- Stevie WonderTubthumping -- ChumbawambaReelin in the Years -- Steely Danmaybe I'll think of some more later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted September 16, 2007 Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 And we have a new director this year, Mr. Michael BeardWhat happened to GK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip81 Posted September 16, 2007 Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 I've always considered our band an expression of tradition and pride. It has never really mattered to me what they play. Out of the 30 years I've been watching them, I can think of only a hand full of years where the quality was not up to their usual high standard.Like the team, I would like to see the band start new traditions...like script Ohio.I thought script Zips was cool, but it wasn't something we could call our own.Perhaps when we move in to the new place would be a good time to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted September 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 And we have a new director this year, Mr. Michael BeardWhat happened to GK? I heard that he is in Michigan earning his Doctorate, but that's just a rumor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips DM Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 You heard right, Mr. Karriker will be returning from Michigan State with his Doctorate... though he could get a better job with a doctorate...Let's hope he stays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAbandfan Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 In reference to learning the fight song -- there are the "UofA sanctioned" words, and the original (and better) words. However, I noticed that at the freshman welcoming festivites at EJThomas, the brochure they handed out used the original version. Could it be that those in power have realized the error of their ways? Let's hope so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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