Just A Quick Vent

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

I will agree that many music majors are drama queens, but don't all lump us in. I make the argument that business majors are calloused tyrants, and all art majors are entitled weirdoes.

Anyway, you can't mandate such things. It looks good for YOU to see a pep band of 70 people, but it won't work. I was in the marching band when it was mandated that all instrumental music majors had to be in it at least a year (regardless of whether or not they played an instrument that was in a marching band), and it was HELL. They would never stop whining, they would become positive nuisances, and would make it their life's work to make everyone as miserable as they were. I don't care how positive an attitude you have, it's going to get to you after a while, and the bands are better off without people like that.

It's almost like you're trying to make my point for me.

It's also hard to imagine how a band is "better off" being virtually non-existent rather than having a few discontented members.

[Panther-at-Arms]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

Students spend that much time per week out side of class for a regular class. I had a class last semester require 35 hours of community service on top of the course work load, the rest of the classes I was in and those work loads, and my actual job. Tough. It had to be done so I did it. When they made the choice to take that class/be involved in a certain organization, they made the choice to do what is required for that class/group.

This isn't time spent outside of class. It's time spent IN THE CLASSROOM. There's another 17 hours or so spent outside of class in the practice rooms. What other class requires that much class time for 1 credit? Music education is already considered a 5 year major, I really don't think adding more required coursework is legitimate.

[Panther-at-Arms]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

You just do it. If they complain, you explain that life is sometimes hard.

I've known music majors as well as you can know a person. They think they have things much harder than they really do.

I'm not saying they have things harder. For one thing I'm saying making a music major do marching band for four years is a lot like making a phys ed major do cheerleading or spirit squad. It really has nothing to do with their major. People thing band nerd and they automatically think marching bands. In reality most musicians have nothing to do with marching band.

So no. You can't just do it. You have to be able to legitimately rationalize this educational requirement. Wanting more people at basketball games is not a legitimate educational reason.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

I think some people are missing the point. Especially the ones who are arguing that music majors should have to do marching or pep band. The point is the people who want to be in pep band should be required to be at most all of the basketball games. I think this should include women's basketball. I mean the spirit squad is voluntary and they are required to be at all the games.

Why is it that the band can't show up to half the games we have at the McLeod, but when Arch Madness comes around or if we are in the NCAA tournament they are always there?

[Marc Wigim]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

It's almost like you're trying to make my point for me.

It's also hard to imagine how a band is "better off" being virtually non-existent rather than having a few discontented members.

The marching band you see on the field now is primarily volunteer. Very few are there against their will. The numbers could always stand to be bigger, but it's also an easier sell to potential recruits when the band is fun to be around.

You do bring up a good point though: would you rather have a band of 280 that's got some bad apples, or a band of 140 that's having a truly fun experience?

[Panther-at-Arms]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

That's easy. 140 that want to be there.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

You do bring up a good point though: would you rather have a band of 280 that's got some bad apples, or a band of 140 that's having a truly fun experience?

Don't care.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

280 that are having fun. I'm greedy.

[Marc Wigim]

Re: Just A Quick Vent

Don't care.

Then why bring it up?

My 2,000th post! Thanks, Newsy... this was all you.