First down music

[RaginWaldo]

J1M it seems like you are or were a band member and just expressing lazyness. If the Director of the band would emphasize this on the band and emphatically mean it, then it would create a great college atmosphere for the game and is not impossible to do at all. It just takes effort. As much as the effort that the football team is putting out to convey success in a program. Successful winning programs takes effort from every angle. Not just one individual party.

Less Excuse and More Actions = Greater Success

[CajunsHat]

I have 3 words...too many woodwinds!!

igeaux.mobi

[CajunsHat]

I have 3 words...too many woodwinds!!

igeaux.mobi

And quote me on that for our basketball band as well!!!
Who the hell names a band the "ragin' brass" but has 25% of the band woodwinds!?!
There is ABSOLUTELY NO need for woodwinds in a basketball pep band...


igeaux.mobi

[Just1More]

_ Am I imagining things, or did they used to play the end of the fight song at every first down? Recently...maybe 5-7 years ago. _

I believe they did for most 3rd down and all big 4th down conversions. It's not like they can't be readied for a third down or a 4th down we go for. But, on second and 6, they are not going to be prepared to play if we pick up that first (and we don't really need them to be). I think you are right, however, for 3rd and fourth downs... I think they were up and ready and played the fight song ending.

[Boomer]

I'm in total agreement. The one thing, with respect to the band, that I do not want to have happen... is to turn this into another slam on the band (those under the age of 25). I was also not "attacking" the colorguard. I probably shouldn't have said what I said. I said it, so I get to frame the context. I find it increasely disappointing that young people are as obese as they are today. I have friends that say "hey, I was overweight when I was in highschool" and I go back and pull out a picture of them and say "take a look, this was you at 17... at your heaviest... you are the average now". I'm at the age now that I see a lot of my friends on all kinds of perscription drugs... and the bottom line "was" horrible maintenance of the vessel starting at a young age. That is what I want for these 17 to 23 year old "youngsters"... a little more exercise and some better food choices. And some of us "adults" need to start enforcing that a little better. These "kids" show up on UL's doorstep in very poor health. Only the lucky get the chance at a "near miss" and shock themselves into a better lifestyle. Usually, it's a long road of a crappy life.

As for the band (the musicians)... dear band director... put your absolute best drummers (lead snare and fastest-handed multi-tom player) and the ballsiest trumpet, trombone, tuba and F trumpet player in charge of everyone. You, the band director... for marching band... just organize them and support what they say to do. Cut the field drill down... only 4% of the football stadium crowd cares about whether they form a fleur de lis or a box that occasionally moves. Pick tunes that allow the massive balance of sound... and do I need to tell you... you sound louder not when you spend 80% of the time on the field turning circles and dancing around like 7 year old girls... and sounding like a sweet, sweet, soft little band. PICK GOOD SOLID DRUM AND HORN TUNES... AND LET THOSE WITH BALLS PLAY!!!!!!!! You will attract more high school drum and horn players that have a scrotum. If they have a bigger attitude than you.... YOU step down!!!

High school band is falling apart because young men with an active scrotum aren't going to take direction from sissies. Here's the litmus test for band: If the band director hangs out with giggly girls and sissies and can't seem to direct young men with temperment issues into focusing it into ballsy instrument play... you are probably up for a sad, sad band.

igeaux.mobi

[Boomer]

The wife and l agree!!!!!

igeaux.mobi

[NOCajun]

_ Although I like the crowds Cajun yell after the announcer says "FIRST DOWN"---I think we need a little pep piece---Like if the band would play the Hustle up and Bustle up and fight on to victory part of the ending of the fight song----And the whole stadium follows with GEAUX UL!!!!!! Besides the obvious emotional affect on the team and fans it reinforces the UL to all!!!!!! Now can some band dude make this happen????? _

UH, you guys need to wake up! The BAND ALWAYS plays the Fight Song Tag when then team makes a first down; at least they're supposed to. I know the Band, nowadays, doesn't exactly pay attention to the game the way WE (the Band in the '80's!) used to back in the day...

[RedBug58]

_ UH, you guys need to wake up! The BAND ALWAYS plays the Fight Song Tag when then team makes a first down; at least they're supposed to. I know the Band, nowadays, doesn't exactly pay attention to the game the way WE (the Band in the '80's!) used to back in the day... _

OK, I was in the band in the late 70's. So I can speak with a little bit of knowledge. Everything posted here is correct.

We are not loud enough.
We have too high a percentage of woodwinds.
We are not "in tune" with the game.
We worry too much about doing this "drum corps" stuff (mainly for hard core band groupies)
Those velet suits really are horrible

My opinion..........We don't qualify as "The Pride Of Acadiana" any more. If the band wants to retain everything above, just change the name to "The Special Interest Band that Doesn't Get It".

[HoustonCajun]

The wife and l agree!!!!!

igeaux.mobi

I would also like to see the band play something where the crowd can get into it as well. When the fight song is played, or some other song that would work, include something where the crowd can spell C-A-J-U-N-S, Geaux Cajuns!!! Do it after every first down, turnover, touchdown, great play, etc. WE CAN't DO IT OFTEN ENOUGH. UL games can be very boring because the band does NOTHING to get the crowd into the game. It is more than just the play on the field. It is the total game experience. And, when the two are properly combined, and we are winning, the total experience is something people will want to come back for. And that also includes everything else from coordinating the band, scoreboard and announcer, to not having rap music playing when the band is playing and the announcer is announcing. The overall production at a UL football game is high schoolish and needs to be corrected, NOW. We play enough BCS programs on the road to see what kind of formula works at these schools that gets 90,000 fans every week worked into a frenzy. Why not take the best of what is out there and incorporate that into something unique for UL? Do something. Anything at this point would be an improvement.

[California Cajun]

Death to canned music.

Nobody wants to be in a band that is compartmentalized into a token outfit by whoever coordinates the event.

If the band gets to do what Ohio State's band gets to do during a game, then we can develop a 300-piece band and a legacy.

[Boomer]

So how do we get this easily done deal done??????

[California Cajun]

So how do we get this easily done deal done??????

My guess is to convince Scott Farmer to let the band function like it does at a big time BCS game and if the band director is for it order the game management people to quit playing canned music and let the band take over. The band director told me in an e-mail a few years ago that he's told when he can play, so Scott has to overrule the people or persons who are ordering him around.