Marching Band moved down on depth chart?

[pez]

The big boys in the SEC, along w/ USC, MI, OSU, etc. appear to have easily 75-100 pieces. But I don't know the exact numbers.

If you think about the money wasted free agents over the past decade, a million dollar a year band seems like a better long term investment from a karma standpoint.

I don;t think we would have a band that large in size, but I would be interested in, is the size of the college bands when they go on the road (much smaller I believe).... that seems like a good size.

[worstSeat]

Our band doesn't have enough pieces to produce that powerful organic sound you get from the good college bands.

Stick 'em in the cave under the club level. They'd be a lot louder then, and Snyder can sell the tickets in the sun for more to boot.

[corsair_joe]

Seems to me that the band is being slowly phased out, especially with the move up to the club level. If it was something that management cared about, they'd find room for them on the lower level or field level. I think they just see them as taking up seats.

[RFKFedEx]

I have talked to a couple members of the band, and they all felt like they would not be around much longer...

I hope this is not the case, as this is absolutely one of the greatest features of our team and should be held in high regard.

I'm with you Pez. I feel like the team's decision to move the band upstairs to the club level was like putting a box of old toys in the attic. They didn't really want to throw them away, but at the same time they were taking up space downstairs in the bedroom. They don't really need the band anymore, but there is still that slight sense of loyalty so they kept them em around. ALA Toy Story 3.

[Luca Brasi]

I was in the band from 2001-2006 and can hopefully provide a little insight. First off, the band does indeed use microphones. During the pregame ceremony on the field, select members are chosen to wear clip-on microphones that are intended to capture the sound of the full ensemble. And while sitting in the stands, there are either 2 or 4 microphones positioned at the front of the group, which are mixed and pushed through the stadium speakers. Unless things have changed since I left, but I can't imagine anyone would hear the band without the mics.

Secondly, being in the band is a major time committment. They rehearse once a week (used to be Wednesday nights) in the parking lot of the stadium. Getting there in DC rush hour is a nightmare, and you're lucky to be out of there by 10:00pm. And obviously game days are an all-day affair. Much like for the fans, except the band members have to report inside 2 hours before kickoff.

I can't imagine a scenario or a valid reason to play a recording of Hail to the Redskins. I'm not sure I believe that. The band ALWAYS wants to play more by the way. Unfortunately between commercials and the popular garbage that gets pumped through the stadium speakers, there just isn't much time left.

Finally, I've always believed that if the collective musicianship of the group is ever going to improve, the powers that be would need to hold auditions each year to determine which part the members are going to play (i.e., who is playing 1st Trombone, 2nd Trombone, etc.) The strongest players need to be on the 1st parts, but that is NOT the case by any stretch. There are guys in that band that have been in the group for 40 years who have no business playing the lead parts, but because of their seniority, they aren't challenged by any of the younger members, many of which are much stronger players.

I graduated from JMU, which has one of the strongest marching bands in the country. Everything is determined by auditions in that group, as in most college bands. That's the major reason you hear such a difference when you hear the Redskins band compared to a college band. Granted the Skins band is only about 120 members, but with microphones, it should sound much bigger and brighter than it does.

[E33Green]

Yeah the current rendition doesn't really compare to this:
[YOUTUBE]5P08Mkj_KoQ[/YOUTUBE]

Brings a tear to your eye.

[Coach Janky Spanky]

This is ridiculous!! Honestly there is absolutely no reason why they should have a recorded version of HTTR rather than have the band play it. Hopefully the organization changes it back this week, or soon.

I love the band the way it is. I don't think we need to enlarge it. And, poster above, I greatly appreciate your insight on playing in the band and we appreciate all the time it takes to be in it. The uniqueness of the band is one of the main reasons I think it's such a shame to start changing things and lowering its influence.

[Stugein]

I prefer the band playing HTTR over the thing they play on the jumbotron, but I do have to admit, more people participate with it on the jumbotron. What throws me off is the speed of the song on the jumbotron is slower than what I am used to with the band, so I always get thrown off.

My only problem with the band has always been the timing. I'm never exactly sure quite when they start up the song after the PAT so I'm often off a bit and have to readjust where I am in the lyrics and it's kind of awkward. I prefer the band, but the one thing the video has going for it in my opinion is that it plays the song intro bit before going into the lyrical section, whereas the band seems to just go right into it. If the band would play the intro as well I think that would go a long way to giving people in the stands a heads-up that it's time to sing and get everyone on the same page with regard to when the song actually starts up.

So.. Band > Video, but I wish the band would play the intro.

[AllBusiness]

If Mr. Snyder wants to improve his standing with the Redskin's adoring fanbase, things like throwing fundage at the Band would go a long way.
Beside being the right thing to do...

[Bifflog]

Seems like the type of thing we should organize over and pester Bruce Allen about...

[SittingBull]

Seems like the type of thing Snyder should spend his time with.

[Skin'Em84]

My only problem with the band has always been the timing. I'm never exactly sure quite when they start up the song after the PAT so I'm often off a bit and have to readjust where I am in the lyrics and it's kind of awkward.

I do that all the time. I just consider the first f'd up verse as practice.

[psu2008]

More band = happier me. I hope to god they don't play the Spanish version of HTTR on Sunday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...WJQK_blog.html

[pez]

My only problem with the band has always been the timing. I'm never exactly sure quite when they start up the song after the PAT so I'm often off a bit and have to readjust where I am in the lyrics and it's kind of awkward. I prefer the band, but the one thing the video has going for it in my opinion is that it plays the song intro bit before going into the lyrical section, whereas the band seems to just go right into it. If the band would play the intro as well I think that would go a long way to giving people in the stands a heads-up that it's time to sing and get everyone on the same page with regard to when the song actually starts up.

So.. Band > Video, but I wish the band would play the intro.

I think that is just a matter of turning up the mic's on the band.... usually fans are cheering and screaming after the PAT, to the point you can't hear the band starting up. I always look for the first bob from the horns to know when they start.

---------- Post added September-16th-2011 at 11:13 AM ----------

One thing I do wish we had, was some sort of small fight chant like after defensive plays and such...

I don't want to imitate them, but I like FSU's warchant.... it gets the band and the crowd involved in the game.

Disclaimer: I am not and FSU fan !!! FEAR THE TURTLE !!!!

[Stugein]

I think that is just a matter of turning up the mic's on the band.... usually fans are cheering and screaming after the PAT, to the point you can't hear the band starting up. I always look for the first bob from the horns to know when they start.

Do they play the intro part and I just can't hear them, or do they go right into the lyrical portion like I was assuming?

As for watching for the horns..I'm in 110 so they are above and behind me. :|