Disrespect for our Grizzly Marching Band

[BadlandsGrizFan]

Is like to see the band come up with their own icon tune and time to play it in the game. For instance, Iowa Hawkeye band will play what I think is the Darth Vader match on opposing teams 3rd down. They are always ready and quick to hit it, so it ramps up prior to the crowd getting loud.

I could find a video of it, but
Duh duh duh, duh tada, duh tada (repeat)

It a cool way for the band to have an impact

My personal favorite is the theme music from the Shining. But I bet most students don’t realize what it’s from

 

[GrizMusician]

Sure, but….we’re not either of those institutions.financially or band popularity wise or support (student, or donors).

I think the Griz band have a right to be upset by the attitude of the marketing people, which relegates them to a nothing role. But there's more to this issue.

The Griz band is ... okay. Griz football is great. HBCU (SWAC and MEAC) football is ... marginal, at best. (By and large, their OOC record is disastrous.) Conversely, HBCU bands are fantastic. They are, by and large, the best part of the show. We seldom watch the on-field haIf-time festivities, if they are broadcast ... except for an HBCU game.

If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game.

The root cause of the performance of the GMB is the continued dissolution of the fine arts in Montana. Most school music programs across the state have been gutted. Music programs (and education as a whole) are perpetually underfunded.

Those GMB students get a measly $1,000-1,500 per year scholarship, which for a course that requires a significant commitment in preparation and performance throughout the season, is not in line with the required time and effort. Keep in mind these students are also paying to attend the course, which means that the scholarship barely covers the cost of participation.

How about we start supporting the arts instead of critiquing their performance when they already have the deck stacked against them.

 

[EverettGriz]

I think the Griz band have a right to be upset by the attitude of the marketing people, which relegates them to a nothing role. But there's more to this issue.

The Griz band is ... okay. Griz football is great. HBCU (SWAC and MEAC) football is ... marginal, at best. (By and large, their OOC record is disastrous.) Conversely, HBCU bands are fantastic. They are, by and large, the best part of the show. We seldom watch the on-field haIf-time festivities, if they are broadcast ... except for an HBCU game.

If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game.

The root cause of the performance of the GMB is the continued dissolution of the fine arts in Montana. Most school music programs across the state have been gutted. Music programs (and education as a whole) are perpetually underfunded.

Those GMB students get a measly $1,000-1,500 per year scholarship, which for a course that requires a significant commitment in preparation and performance throughout the season.

How about we start supporting the arts instead of critiquing their performance when they already have the deck stacked against them.

I completely agree. Ans I love the GMB. I love that they gave up a Friday night to come ply at the GSA beer and wine fest. I love it when they play at games, and agree their stipend is a JOKE for the time and dedication it takes.

I'm just not sure I believe this social media post is legit.

 

[IdaGriz01]

... The root cause of the performance of the GMB is the continued dissolution of the fine arts in Montana. Most school music programs across the state have been gutted. Music programs (and education as a whole) are perpetually underfunded.

Those GMB students get a measly $1,000-1,500 per year scholarship, which for a course that requires a significant commitment in preparation and performance throughout the season, is not in line with the required time and effort. Keep in mind these students are also paying to attend the course, which means that the scholarship barely covers the cost of participation.

How about we start supporting the arts instead of critiquing their performance when they already have the deck stacked against them.

Good points. I almost completed my last sentence with a proviso, such as ...
"If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game ... if that's possible."

I respect the work these young people put in, and rather suspected the problem was at least partly a matter of resources. Your post tells me the problem is far worse than I thought. Sigh ... and I have no answer.

 

[GrizSteve]

Not that it matters too much, but they did play Cotton Eyed Joe in the 4th quarter.[/b] Easy enough to do both though.

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

Do we also know what “really” happened and when they were communicated to outside of a one-sided Facebook post? Apologies if this has been covered already. Was that only for this game? I THINK the band plays way less during playoff games as well due to the NCAA making the home playoff team strip down the amount of normal things they do for a more “equal” “student athlete experience”.

Do we also know for sure that it was athletics marketing decision or were they just the messenger?

 

[AZDoc]

I think the Griz band have a right to be upset by the attitude of the marketing people, which relegates them to a nothing role. But there's more to this issue.

The Griz band is ... okay. Griz football is great. HBCU (SWAC and MEAC) football is ... marginal, at best. (By and large, their OOC record is disastrous.) Conversely, HBCU bands are fantastic. They are, by and large, the best part of the show. We seldom watch the on-field haIf-time festivities, if they are broadcast ... except for an HBCU game.

If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game.

The root cause of the performance of the GMB is the continued dissolution of the fine arts in Montana. Most school music programs across the state have been gutted. Music programs (and education as a whole) are perpetually underfunded.

Those GMB students get a measly $1,000-1,500 per year scholarship, which for a course that requires a significant commitment in preparation and performance throughout the season, is not in line with the required time and effort. Keep in mind these students are also paying to attend the course, which means that the scholarship barely covers the cost of participation.

How about we start supporting the arts instead of critiquing their performance when they already have the deck stacked against them.

I agree. I’ve always said when I win the powerball, I planned on lots of UofM donations, but wanted to earmark a big number to the band.

 

[AZDoc]

I think the Griz band have a right to be upset by the attitude of the marketing people, which relegates them to a nothing role. But there's more to this issue.

The Griz band is ... okay. Griz football is great. HBCU (SWAC and MEAC) football is ... marginal, at best. (By and large, their OOC record is disastrous.) Conversely, HBCU bands are fantastic. They are, by and large, the best part of the show. We seldom watch the on-field haIf-time festivities, if they are broadcast ... except for an HBCU game.

If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game.

The root cause of the performance of the GMB is the continued dissolution of the fine arts in Montana. Most school music programs across the state have been gutted. Music programs (and education as a whole) are perpetually underfunded.

Those GMB students get a measly $1,000-1,500 per year scholarship, which for a course that requires a significant commitment in preparation and performance throughout the season, is not in line with the required time and effort. Keep in mind these students are also paying to attend the course, which means that the scholarship barely covers the cost of participation.

How about we start supporting the arts instead of critiquing their performance when they already have the deck stacked against them.

I agree. I’ve always said when I win the powerball, I planned on lots of UofM donations, but wanted to earmark a big number to the band.

 

[Fahque]

Do we also know what “really” happened and when they were communicated to outside of a one-sided Facebook post? Apologies if this has been covered already. Was that only for this game? I THINK the band plays way less during playoff games as well due to the NCAA making the home playoff team strip down the amount of normal things they do for a more “equal” “student athlete experience”.

Do we also know for sure that it was athletics marketing decision or were they just the messenger?

saw this on FB...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1579341348960995/posts/3776144455947329/?comment_id=3776243985937376

I sent an email to the person that someone said was responsible for the decision and this is the answer I received.

Hi Jenny –
I appreciate your feedback, as we’re always looking for ways to reflect things that went well or poorly each game day.

I do want to emphasize that the changes were not us trying to prohibit the band, but instead maximize the environment in the stadium. The biggest change that fans may have noticed on Saturday is that the marching band did not play after first and second down while the Griz were on defense.

There also are certain times in a game that call for something different than what, I believe, makes the marching band great. When our team is on defense, we want the stadium to be on their feet and as loud as possible. We want the opposing team to not be able to hear or concentrate because the noise levels are so deafening. While I believe that marching bands have many great qualities, I also do believe that house music – often times something heavy or rock – can be louder and more effective, in those situations, than the marching band. Especially because those moments are usually no more than 10 seconds or so, which can make it hard for a band to reach its full effect in such a short span, compared to a cut-up of an audio track.

On the contrary, there are plenty of times in which a recorded song cannot provide what a live marching band can. I know it can seem like I am anti-band because of what occurred on Saturday, but one of my favorite things about college athletics is, in fact, the marching and pep bands. I’m not a fan of the NFL but love college football; a major reason why is because of the tradition and ambience involved with college athletics, much of which is provided by the marching bands.

I regularly get emails requesting for us to bring in a halftime act or a singer to perform the national anthem, and those things almost never happen. The biggest reason is because our athletic director understands the hard work that these students put in to practice, rehearse and perform in front of a large audience. Each game, in addition to performing at Griz Walk and outside of the stadium pregame, the Grizzly Marching Band performs on the field pregame, performs the national anthem, gets 12 minutes of halftime to perform, and again performs after the conclusion of the game – in addition to the in-between times in which they play, whether it’s after every play on offense or during certain timeout breaks.

I hope that, while we might still disagree with the decision, by me replying to your email it will help show you some of the thought process that went into the decision.

Hallisey, Nic_Email signature

From: ljkauff
Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2023 7:52 PM
To: Hallisey, Nic
Subject: Band music
I have heard that you are the one who is trying to prohibit the marching band from performing as much as normal during football games. It's appalling that the band kids who practice many hours for their performances aren't allowed to have their minutes in the spotlight. I hope you reconsider your stance in the future.
Sincerely
Jenny Kauffman
A band mom

 

[wbtfg]

 

[griz4life]

I think the UM band is part of the gameday experience.

The Washington Grizzly Stadium tunes? Are pretty bad. Some of the catalog needs to be retired, starting with "raise a little hell" which was a bad song in 1978 and didn't age well.

 

[puckshootr]

Again, I have no idea who posted the letter or even if it's legit. But the contentions in the letter were not consistent with what occurred yesterday. It did seem as though the band didn't play as much with the GRIZ on defense, but I don't recall a lot of canned music taking its place. And Cotton Eye Joe wasn't played at all.

The band seemed to play after touchdowns, but to be honest it's too loud in the NEZ where we sit to hear them anyway.

Let's just say I'm skeptical about the legitimacy of the SM post

Cotton eyed Joe was played.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Again, I have no idea who posted the letter or even if it's legit. But the contentions in the letter were not consistent with what occurred yesterday. It did seem as though the band didn't play as much with the GRIZ on defense, but I don't recall a lot of canned music taking its place. And Cotton Eye Joe wasn't played at all.

The band seemed to play after touchdowns, but to be honest it's too loud in the NEZ where we sit to hear them anyway.

Let's just say I'm skeptical about the legitimacy of the SM post

Cotton eyed Joe was played.

I heard you met my brother. In fact, he texted me a pic of you wearing your “Biden” shirt… :lol:

 

[Grizzlies1982]

Not that it matters too much, but they did play Cotton Eyed Joe in the 4th quarter.[/b] Easy enough to do both though.

Grateful to hear this. Word was Cotton Eyed Joe was deemed racist, inappropriate, and never to be played again. Silly nonsense. It’s just a great tune to get fans jumping up and down in the stands. Hope the play it each game!

 

[GrizGuy]

Sure, but….we’re not either of those institutions.financially or band popularity wise or support (student, or donors).

I think the Griz band have a right to be upset by the attitude of the marketing people, which relegates them to a nothing role. But there's more to this issue.

The Griz band is ... okay. Griz football is great. HBCU (SWAC and MEAC) football is ... marginal, at best. (By and large, their OOC record is disastrous.) Conversely, HBCU bands are fantastic. They are, by and large, the best part of the show. We seldom watch the on-field haIf-time festivities, if they are broadcast ... except for an HBCU game.

If the Griz band wants more respect, they need to up their game.

I’ve been saying this since at least 2005. The band could do a lot to up the ante on their end. But, I do think, if accurate, the 1:30am notification is extremely crappy and disrespectful. I don’t see supporting the band as an either/or thing regarding this SM post (assuming it’s legit).

 

[puckshootr]

Cotton eyed Joe was played.

I heard you met my brother. In fact, he texted me a pic of you wearing your “Biden” shirt… :lol:

Yes! It was great meeting him. FTC/FJB

 

[GrizLA]

I think the UM band is part of the gameday experience.

The Washington Grizzly Stadium tunes? Are pretty bad. Some of the catalog needs to be retired, starting with "raise a little hell" which was a bad song in 1978 and didn't age well.

:clap: :thumb:

 

[grizpsych]

Is like to see the band come up with their own icon tune and time to play it in the game. For instance, Iowa Hawkeye band will play what I think is the Darth Vader match on opposing teams 3rd down. They are always ready and quick to hit it, so it ramps up prior to the crowd getting loud.

I could find a video of it, but
Duh duh duh, duh tada, duh tada (repeat)

It a cool way for the band to have an impact

Funny thing, before Idaho left for the FBS, The Grizzly Marching Band used to play Darth Vader's theme song (The Imperial March) when we played them.

 

[get'em_griz]

I was a member of the band for two years (2007-2008), and while I loved being a band member, I saw certain issues that I think need to be addressed if the band wants to have a bigger impact.

One of the biggest issues in my view, is that the band is too small. The band has roughly had about 130 members going back to when I was a member. Back then, I always felt the band needed to be bigger (and for comparison purposes, the MSU band back then was roughly half the size of the GMB. Now, the Spirit of the West Marching Band is up to 200 members). The sound of the GMB band just does not carry very far into the stadium. That became all the more evident when I sat in the NEZ over the last 6 years. There were many times I didn't know the band was playing.

I can understand the U's perspective of wanting to make sure that they can keep the entire crowd energized through the entire game, especially for a game with so much at stake. The university's job is to make sure that people are entertained and stay pumped up. A 10 second soundbite that everyone hear can make a huge difference in getting a crowd quickly energized vs a band that not everyone in the stadium can hear (and sometimes takes 5 seconds for the band to get in sync).

I'm all for the band and want them to be able to have playing opportunities, but I think the university would be well-served to figure out how to increase the band's member size. 200 members will put out a lot more sound than the 130 we currently have.

 

[GrizRealist]

Look, if this is what it took to keep the crowd energized and engaged in being loud during one of the biggest games is Wa Griz history than so be it. Pulling out all the stops was needed and it ended up being an absolutely electric environment. The band can resume their normal activities against Lafayette/Delaware. Not understanding how the band hardo's are not seing the big picture here. Everyone is there to watch the Griz win, not to watch the band. Take whatever advantage you can take and don't look back.