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This is not necessarily true. Money will make the band larger by providing more scholarships or performance awards. Unfortunately the scholarship money given the band never kept up with the rise of tuition. That's when our band had problems retaining numbers. As far as better- you can do a lot worse than Jim Robkin to be in front of a spirit band. Tech has been lucky to have him lead the way for so many years.Originally Posted by DoubleDDawg
Many local students want to pay their own way and be a part of the MARCHING band, but band leadership does not respond to their inquiries. The spirit band thing in the 3rd quarter continues to be a distraction from the game.
First, I am NOT bashing the members of the BOP. They do a great job.
I just wish we could get more boppers. Last night was another reminder of a "need" at Tech.
You also must remember that the band has probably been together less than a week. Everyone else is on Semester so most college bands have been together about 3 weeks. It just costs too much money to get students in so many days before class.
Well, 'til the numbers ($) change, take notes from Rice's "band."
I don't think we can use the excuse that the band has only been together a week or so anymore. Look at the Southern Band. They've not been together much longer. They just obviously have a great band program and leadership. But it's like comparing apples to oranges. Tech's band program doesn't apparently aspire to be like a Southern or A&M or (God forbid) LSU or Auburn type marching band. They aspire to be a Hoop Troop that just happens to have to play at football games. That's our band directors background...nothing wrong with that background...but it is what it is. Until the University demands a change and finds money to put into the program, it'll be what it is. If I was Les, I would have been embarrassed last night with how good the Southern band was compared to ours. But again, it's just not a priority apparently. Our leadership from the top down doesn't have any "big college band" experience it seems.
It appears that Southern puts an emphasis on their band program and finds the money somehow to make it work. Kids that want that type of experience are going to gravitate to a program like that. If they want a looser, more happy go lucky, non-disciplined approach, they'll look at the Tech "Band of Pride"...I'm not sure what they're proud of right now though...
You realize Jim was the marching band director at Arkansas, right?
I am aware of that RhythmDawg.
Just checking...
I've tried really hard to refrain from posting on this thread...but the temptation is too much. They are great at what they do. However, volume is not an acceptable substitute for tone.
And in no way is that post indicative of my feelings on the BOP. On that topic I will remain silent.
I was an all state first chair musician in HS that was in the Tech band. My HS band was one of the finest in the country. It is just like anything in life, you have to want to work to be good at it. Money is no excuse for a band director to not have his band balanced, in tune, and be able to MARCH in step. BTW, I was recruited by the TECH band director my senior year . Seriously doubt Jim visits the better high school programs in the ArkLaTex to do that. We can bitch and moan about everything else, but for some reason the poor performance of our band is off limits.
It's not off limits. Recruiting is a big problem and has been for several years.
Is it a problem that we don't recruit or that we don't have anything to offer a recruit (i.e. scholorship $$) or what? Or is is that kids are coming out of a well organized, disciplined marching band programs and see what Tech has to offer...and they don't want to be a part of it even if there's money on the table? I sense (am I'm not an insider in the know) that the band/music program in general at Tech has deteriorated over the years. Consequently, kids are going elsewhere. That goes back to leadership. Setting expectations. Demanding better. Painting a vision for what you want the program to be. Not any different than what's happening on the football field and on the basketball court. Tech has put much emphasis and dollars on and in the sports programs lately. I hope the band/music program is in the wings and recipient of some attention in the very near future. I want Dr. Guice to say "it's time to be better".
In a word, yes.
Resources are a problem. Example: lost professors not being replaced.
Here's a stat...from what I understand my freshman theory class had more music majors than the total music program does now.
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