Always a controversial topic around here and certainly within the athletic department, I think it finally deserves its own dedicated conversation thread. This thread is all about the Panther Marching Band.
We all know that a great energetic band adds to the atmosphere of college football. The pomp, the circumstance, the tradition, the school pride. It's the most uniquely college football thing in existence and there is no doubt that a big, brassy band can add so much to your gameday atmosphere.
The problem at UNI, and with the Panther Marching Band, is that they're not particularly good, not particularly memorable, not particularly cooperative and somehow manage to suck the energy out of the Dome with their pregame and halftime shows. This is the exact opposite of the other two bands in the state and other comparably sized bands across the Midwest.
First the facts, the Panther Marching Band has about 310 members and meets for 6 hours per week, all in the Dome so no rehearsals are lost to weather. For comparison's sake, Iowa State has 240 members and meet for 5.5 hours per week. Iowa has 290 members and meets for 6 hours per week plus a two hour music only rehearsal every third Tuesday. Ohio State has 280 members and meets for 7.5 hours per week.
PREGAME
With college football timing rules, every band has 14-16 minutes to do a 'Pregame Show'
Panther Marching Band
Notice the slow marching, slow transitions and momentum killing Alma Mater. Notice how the music is dull and certainly doesn't have that brassy, exciting edge
Iowa State Varsity Marching Band
Not a ton of movement, but marching is crisp and together. Bright, brassy edge on the sound
Hawkeye Marching Band
Huge energetic steps, bright brassy sound. General excitement. Not much on YouTube for their pregame unfortunately.
Ohio State Marching Band
Admittedly, the gold standard of college marching bands. They use the Alma Mater in their pregame but not right at the end when it would kill momentum. Compare their script Ohio to our 'Traditional Pre-Game Cheer'
Half Time Performance
Panther Marching Band
Slowly walk, stand in place, play dated slower songs, maybe dance in place or sway. Wonder why people are clamoring for re-entry?
Iowa State Varsity Marching Band
Not a ton of movement and not terribly quick. Noticeably brighter sound and more recognizable music.
Hawkeye Marching Band
More movement at the beginning and end. Brassier sound.
Ohio State Marching Band
Now, I don't think any of us expect this, but it is really cool and shows what a dynamite band can do.
Couple all this with the fact the UNI Band has repeatedly refused to compromise with the Athletic Department and will not change and I think it's fairly easy to see they are part of the gameday atmosphere problem we have in the Dome. The instances where they are playing close to our snaps while cutting off way (too) early when the other team has the ball and you can make the argument that they are actually working against us from a football perspective.
With our current atmosphere, EVERYTHING should be on the table. This includes the cooperation or involvement of a pretty underwhelming band that seems to place a much higher value on themselves than any outsider does.
Fire away, y'all....
We all know that a great energetic band adds to the atmosphere of college football. The pomp, the circumstance, the tradition, the school pride. It's the most uniquely college football thing in existence and there is no doubt that a big, brassy band can add so much to your gameday atmosphere.
The problem at UNI, and with the Panther Marching Band, is that they're not particularly good, not particularly memorable, not particularly cooperative and somehow manage to suck the energy out of the Dome with their pregame and halftime shows. This is the exact opposite of the other two bands in the state and other comparably sized bands across the Midwest.
First the facts, the Panther Marching Band has about 310 members and meets for 6 hours per week, all in the Dome so no rehearsals are lost to weather. For comparison's sake, Iowa State has 240 members and meet for 5.5 hours per week. Iowa has 290 members and meets for 6 hours per week plus a two hour music only rehearsal every third Tuesday. Ohio State has 280 members and meets for 7.5 hours per week.
PREGAME
With college football timing rules, every band has 14-16 minutes to do a 'Pregame Show'
Panther Marching Band
Notice the slow marching, slow transitions and momentum killing Alma Mater. Notice how the music is dull and certainly doesn't have that brassy, exciting edge
Iowa State Varsity Marching Band
Not a ton of movement, but marching is crisp and together. Bright, brassy edge on the sound
Hawkeye Marching Band
Huge energetic steps, bright brassy sound. General excitement. Not much on YouTube for their pregame unfortunately.
Ohio State Marching Band
Admittedly, the gold standard of college marching bands. They use the Alma Mater in their pregame but not right at the end when it would kill momentum. Compare their script Ohio to our 'Traditional Pre-Game Cheer'
Half Time Performance
Panther Marching Band
Slowly walk, stand in place, play dated slower songs, maybe dance in place or sway. Wonder why people are clamoring for re-entry?
Iowa State Varsity Marching Band
Not a ton of movement and not terribly quick. Noticeably brighter sound and more recognizable music.
Hawkeye Marching Band
More movement at the beginning and end. Brassier sound.
Ohio State Marching Band
Now, I don't think any of us expect this, but it is really cool and shows what a dynamite band can do.
Couple all this with the fact the UNI Band has repeatedly refused to compromise with the Athletic Department and will not change and I think it's fairly easy to see they are part of the gameday atmosphere problem we have in the Dome. The instances where they are playing close to our snaps while cutting off way (too) early when the other team has the ball and you can make the argument that they are actually working against us from a football perspective.
With our current atmosphere, EVERYTHING should be on the table. This includes the cooperation or involvement of a pretty underwhelming band that seems to place a much higher value on themselves than any outsider does.
Fire away, y'all....
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