I second the motion to change the band's name to the "Pride of Louisiana. It will help our university with branding and perception.
Brilliant combo compromise.
UL had a marching band in year one of the school.
If you have time check out this LINK and see the terminology UL's first president E. Lewis Stephens used to welcomed the first band director Florent Sontag to Louisiana.
Turb, just a SLIGHT clarification....the PoA, in the past HAS included members that were not CURRENTLY enrolled in school at the time. HOWEVER, ALL of them, and I am in that number, WERE USL students at one time. The thing is, that was a different era. We only got a $75 service award for being in the band. We were in it because we LOVED it, and because the band didn't have to operate with a 4-year eligibility rule like the sports teams, some of us kept marching beyond a standard college career. If I had to guess, I would bet that because of how the band is now set up with scholarships, etc, ALL of the current PoA members are UL students.
They need to add alumni that a) can still play and b) want to be part of the band at half-time. Anyone have Mike Ritter's number? I've always wanted to suggest to the band director to have the students do the field drill, but have former members (and I'm talking only those that can still bring it) stay in a variety of stationery sets and just play along with the band. When the entire group hunkers down to slam the sound, I think the crowd would get a lot more fun out of half-time.
Band isn't football. Alumni can be in the half-time show. And, many remain very good musicians... this practice would guarantee a lot more would. If a band director wants monetary contributions from the school's band alumni as well... he'd give greater consideration to that suggestion.
Was the info in this link temporary and/or limited to the last band director? https://forumeus.com/...an-UL-Students
Ha... he was anchoring the pivot point for everyone else. One of my albums from the Contest of Champions has the then USL band playing as a guest at the contest. Ritter is screeching and hanging over on everything played. Some people didn't like it. I did. My idols as a young trumpet player were Bill Chase, Maynard Ferguson and Doc Severinsen. Doc was a hugely under-rated trumpet player. He was highly thought of by older folks, but he was massively better technically than his contemporaries.
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