The Bands

T

TexanWolv

1,000+ Posts
Now...I know this is a tiny thing in the grand scheme of things but....

Why were the mics for the Texas band not on until late in the second half? The Memphis band was 5x as loud as our band because their mics were pumping the music through the speakers. Heck...I remember when during a Texas Fight chant they actually turned the Memphis band noise up louder to cover up our chant. About at the 10 minute mark of the second half the mics started working and you could actually hear the Texas band throughout the stadium.

While I know this is a small thing I think this does effect how much the crowd is into it and therefore the crowd lending a helping hand to the team.

I'm just peeved in general....So I just want to find something to complain about.
 
I agree completly. Everyone in my section in the lower deck right next to the band couldn't even here them. They had the mics on the memphis trumpets and everytime we tried to play something Memphis would come over the top of it with the mics on.
 
There were mics on our band in the first half. The only time I noticed no mics was coming out of halftime.
 
I've gone to several sub regionals and regionals, and with or without mics, our pep band is never as loud or exciting as the bands from other big schools. Our band alwats sounds better (the Memphis trumpets were terrible), but we have never figured out the formula for having a loud, rousing pep band. Not really a complaint, because I know they work hard and, like I said, they sound, great, but in volume and in choice of music, it never really seems right for the situation.
 
In previous years, it probably had something to do with instrumentation. When traveling, it looks the bball band takes three clarinets and two flutes. Michigan State uses brass and saxes (I believe), and other schools do similar things for these trips (because the max number is 29 plus a director).
 
First, let me say that I appreciate the efforts the students in the band put forth and the quality of their musicianship. They sound great.

However, our basketball band (in conjunction with the cheerleaders and pom) is horrible at doing what a basketball band should do, which is keep the crowd fired up during timeouts and add to the atmosphere of an intimidating hoops environment. Memphis' band, cheerleaders and even freaking mascot where way better at this. Hell, even the goofy Stanford tree and their off the wall band was better at it. I attribute much of it to choice of music. Almost every song played by the Memphis band had some sort of "cheer" element to it that got the crowd into it. Other than Texas Fight, none of ours do, instead we play jazzy little numbers for our Pom to dance to (not that there's anything wrong with that, it just doesn't add to the basketball environment). I'd love to see a complete overhaul to our basketball band's approach, song inventory, behavior, etc., but I doubt I'll ever see it.
 
As a member of the Basketball Band that has attended every tournament game, it seems that there needs to be an actual crowd that will respond before we are to incorporate "cheery" tunes into our book. If March Grandioso (the one where you spell out T-E-X-A-S) is not "cheery" enough than you should reevaluate your expectations. Also, to make it enjoyable for us, we like to include music that actually displays some sort of technique and skill rather than just playing loudly. Ya'll have the best college band program in the country and you better not take advantage of that.
 
Whoa now zaq. These are valid points brought up by MidTex and others. I agree that Memphis had very good songs in terms of getting the crowd excited. The same can be said for Stanford and Michigan State. Even though some of the players missed a few notes, that's OK, it's not going to be perfect. For what it's worth I wasn't too up on Miami or Austin Peay's bands.

It would be awesome if our BBall band played a few more songs that got people even more exited. This doesn't necessarily mean cheering/singing along with a song. Instead it may mean having more songs in the repertoir that have a nice back beat as well as a nice brass line. Nothing too complicated just something that makes people want to move. I've voiced my opinion about this as I also am in the band and know of songs that would do this.

We certainly do have songs already that accomplish this, but I guess my point is that there is still room for improvement even within a band as great as ours.

Also, our priorities for playing should be to satisfy the players and the crowd first and ourselves second.
 
The main thing I learned from the Memphis band is that we need bass drum in the basketball band. Having that drum made their band 10x better.
 
In the old days there were no "jazz" bands at basketball games. You had a smaller version of the entire Longhorn marching band playing at games and it was much louder. A single drummer cannot make up for a couple of bass drums and several snares.

I don't know why basketball bands became jazz bands but I wish we would go back to the actual Longhorn marching band. It was much better.
 
What I meant by not taking advantage of it is not complaining about it. Since everyone here has a complete understanding of what songs would stir up the crowd more, what would those be?
 
Thanks! I had visions of the Band throwing down and boycotting basketball.
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Seriously though, I think we all really appreciate what you and the band are doing.
 
And intrumentation has to be selected carefully because we are only allowed thirty people plus the director. Thats why they are more "jazz bandy" these days.
 
I was in the band at UT, and I graduated in '97 with a music degree. I am among the first to be critical when the band does not perform well. That said, our basketball band is unbelievably good!! Best I've ever heard. I have season tickets, and they are fantastic every night. Their director is one of the most talented musicians I've ever met. I heard Memphis (was at Friday games). They aren't in our league. I think the rim-rattling dunks did more to fire people up than their band did. Hook 'em, Mr. Talley and the basketball band!!!
 
I attended the Texas - LSU regional women's basaketball game in Seattle a few years back. I remember how "blah" our band seemed compared to the LSU band. It didn't make me feel any better when the LSU band members were making fun of the Texas band every time they started to play. I thought then that some songs with more pep were needed.
 
no one is saying that the band members aren't good. Many of the songs they play are boring compared to other school bands. Maybe those bands are less talented but they get the crowd into the mix.

but be my guest in playing difficult technical songs that keep everyone quiet and in their seats.
 
Was in Kansas City, Little Rock, and Houston. Stood up and spelled out T E X A S every time the band played March Grandioso. Most fans just sat on their hands. How is that the band's fault.
 
Defensive band guys, listen. I'm not ripping you. You're great musicians, always sound great and are clearly giving it your all. Nor am I defending our rather lame fans who have no clue what it means to actually make noise for their team unless the team does something great first.

I just think more can be done to pep up the music and help our rather reticent fans make a little more noise. More bass drum would very much help. Greater emphasis on brass. Songs that demand crowd interaction. I ain't no expert in picking songs, y'all are. I'm just telling you I can hear what works (and heard more of it from Memphis and Stanford), and our stuff is technically very good sounding but not very effective for the most part at doing what I think it should do, which is help get or keep everyone fired up. Please don't take personal offense though. I really do appreciate the effort y'all put in.
 
It comes with the territory....when I marched for LD Bell we were told that we were a boring band, yet we would top 3 at the State Marching Competition.

UT would never, ever agree to do "ghetto" songs or things like that to pump up the fans. Pumping up the fans for UT means playing March Grandioso, Deep in the Heart, etc.

UT has so many All Staters in the Marching band that it is not even funny. They could do so many cool things and they could play all kinds of music if the alumni and directors would let them.

So...don't blame the band....blame your rich alumni who won't let the directors do anything cool!!!
 
So what songs would be directly condusive to help inspire the team and the fans? I have a hard time believing the team actually gives a crap about what songs we play, i think we are more there for the fans and to contribute to the basketball atmosphere. So if you were the Basketball Band DJ what songs would you turn? Thanks wise all-knowing audience members.
 
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