Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

[Cat80]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

As a graduate of the UNI School of Music, and a huge fan of UNI sports, I find the tone of the arguments set forth in this thread disturbing. I graduated in 2008, went to almost every home basketball game during my time on campus, and continue to follow the team closely still. While I do not regularly post on this board, I enjoy coming on here to read everyone's insights and reactions.

To clear some things up - I can state with near certainty that music majors make up a small percentage of pep bands throughout division one basketball. This is not a unique situation to UNI. To be fair, music majors are some of the busiest on campus, with degrees that have a staggering number of hours, and classes and rehearsals that are not credited for the time they actually take. For example, marching band counts for one hour of credit for upwards to 15 hours of commitments each week. Factor in that many music majors play in three to four ensembles in the School of Music, and many of these students are putting in just as much time as our student athletes, but without the scholarship money to support them. To be fair, you cannot fault music majors, or any students, for not wanting to play at these games. Indeed, everyone on this board loves the basketball team. I would love it if every game sold out. But, the fact is that everyone doesn't love basketball. Moreover, to expect students who are highly trained, classical and jazz musicians to necessarily want to spend their nights playing "Rock and Roll Part II" or "Centerfold," is unrealistic. Additionally, the pep band DOES rehearse as well, adding even more hours, generally practicing music that any music major should be able to play in their sleep.

Furthermore, your complaints would be better targeted toward the athletic department, as the School of Music usually gets their directives from them. I know there has been more than one band in the past - if there isn't enough interest or money from the athletic department to secure the people, unfortunately that is the case. While the marching band has a sizeable volunteer force, many people's love for marching band does not translate over to the pep band for whatever reason. The pep band is generally run by a graduate assistant in the School of Music as well; and, that is the way it should be. It gives valuable experience to these students, as it is at many universities. If anyone remembers Kevin Brown's direction of the group, it was superb, as he also has a great love for Panther basketball.

I do not condone personally criticizing our student athletes, and find it deplorable that people would be so easy to do the same to our student musicians as well. If you have a problem with their musicianship, then make you constructive criticism heard, being aware that these people are spending a lot of time to make your experience better.

Finally, when is the last time anyone here supported the talented musicians that UNI has in droves? Go to a concert at the GBPAC, or, treat yourself to a Jazz Band One concert in the renovated Russell Hall auditorium. You can see the calendar at www.uni.edu/music. Click on the jazz studies link for that specific calendar. Try to attend the Tallcorn Jazz Festival in February, where Phi Mu Alpha fraternity takes a huge loss of money each year to bring in a world-renowned guest artist to usually be met with very little community support, no matter the amount of advertising. So, there is my plug - I just think it might be helpful to have an idea of what your student musicians are actually doing, and get a little more insight into their lives. Give them a little support yourselves before you criticize them for something they have little no control over.

That being said, Go Panthers! I hope for better results against Bradley.

I roomed with a music major one semester while I was at UNI and he was the best roommate I ever had. I never saw him! I will not dispute the facts of life of the music major or that students are busy. My question is why do you think UNI is different that other MVC schools or other DI schools? Why should UNI fans accept no band at games when peer institutions have no problems supplying bands? You blame the athletic department and then go on about lack of community support for music activities. Maybe you should tell us what the athletic department has done or not done that has caused this to be an issue.

[capthoff]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

typical.
the team is lacking, so blame the band.
Me thinks that there are bigger issues here................maybe winning a game?
Why is it that other teams can win and we cannot?
Woe is me.
Damn you Panther Band. This is all your fault.
Give me a break.
Here's a quarter, buy a clue

[Panther-at-Arms]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

As a graduate of the UNI School of Music, and a huge fan of UNI sports, I find the tone of the arguments set forth in this thread disturbing. I graduated in 2008, went to almost every home basketball game during my time on campus, and continue to follow the team closely still. While I do not regularly post on this board, I enjoy coming on here to read everyone's insights and reactions.

To clear some things up - I can state with near certainty that music majors make up a small percentage of pep bands throughout division one basketball. This is not a unique situation to UNI. To be fair, music majors are some of the busiest on campus, with degrees that have a staggering number of hours, and classes and rehearsals that are not credited for the time they actually take. For example, marching band counts for one hour of credit for upwards to 15 hours of commitments each week. Factor in that many music majors play in three to four ensembles in the School of Music, and many of these students are putting in just as much time as our student athletes, but without the scholarship money to support them. To be fair, you cannot fault music majors, or any students, for not wanting to play at these games. Indeed, everyone on this board loves the basketball team. I would love it if every game sold out. But, the fact is that everyone doesn't love basketball. Moreover, to expect students who are highly trained, classical and jazz musicians to necessarily want to spend their nights playing "Rock and Roll Part II" or "Centerfold," is unrealistic. Additionally, the pep band DOES rehearse as well, adding even more hours, generally practicing music that any music major should be able to play in their sleep.

Furthermore, your complaints would be better targeted toward the athletic department, as the School of Music usually gets their directives from them. I know there has been more than one band in the past - if there isn't enough interest or money from the athletic department to secure the people, unfortunately that is the case. While the marching band has a sizeable volunteer force, many people's love for marching band does not translate over to the pep band for whatever reason. The pep band is generally run by a graduate assistant in the School of Music as well; and, that is the way it should be. It gives valuable experience to these students, as it is at many universities. If anyone remembers Kevin Brown's direction of the group, it was superb, as he also has a great love for Panther basketball.

I do not condone personally criticizing our student athletes, and find it deplorable that people would be so easy to do the same to our student musicians as well. If you have a problem with their musicianship, then make you constructive criticism heard, being aware that these people are spending a lot of time to make your experience better.

Finally, when is the last time anyone here supported the talented musicians that UNI has in droves? Go to a concert at the GBPAC, or, treat yourself to a Jazz Band One concert in the renovated Russell Hall auditorium. You can see the calendar at www.uni.edu/music. Click on the jazz studies link for that specific calendar. Try to attend the Tallcorn Jazz Festival in February, where Phi Mu Alpha fraternity takes a huge loss of money each year to bring in a world-renowned guest artist to usually be met with very little community support, no matter the amount of advertising. So, there is my plug - I just think it might be helpful to have an idea of what your student musicians are actually doing, and get a little more insight into their lives. Give them a little support yourselves before you criticize them for something they have little no control over.

That being said, Go Panthers! I hope for better results against Bradley.

Very well said.

[Cannic88]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

As a graduate of the UNI School of Music, and a huge fan of UNI sports, I find the tone of the arguments set forth in this thread disturbing. I graduated in 2008, went to almost every home basketball game during my time on campus, and continue to follow the team closely still. While I do not regularly post on this board, I enjoy coming on here to read everyone's insights and reactions.

To clear some things up - I can state with near certainty that music majors make up a small percentage of pep bands throughout division one basketball. This is not a unique situation to UNI. To be fair, music majors are some of the busiest on campus, with degrees that have a staggering number of hours, and classes and rehearsals that are not credited for the time they actually take. For example, marching band counts for one hour of credit for upwards to 15 hours of commitments each week. Factor in that many music majors play in three to four ensembles in the School of Music, and many of these students are putting in just as much time as our student athletes, but without the scholarship money to support them. To be fair, you cannot fault music majors, or any students, for not wanting to play at these games. Indeed, everyone on this board loves the basketball team. I would love it if every game sold out. But, the fact is that everyone doesn't love basketball. Moreover, to expect students who are highly trained, classical and jazz musicians to necessarily want to spend their nights playing "Rock and Roll Part II" or "Centerfold," is unrealistic. Additionally, the pep band DOES rehearse as well, adding even more hours, generally practicing music that any music major should be able to play in their sleep.

Furthermore, your complaints would be better targeted toward the athletic department, as the School of Music usually gets their directives from them. I know there has been more than one band in the past - if there isn't enough interest or money from the athletic department to secure the people, unfortunately that is the case. While the marching band has a sizeable volunteer force, many people's love for marching band does not translate over to the pep band for whatever reason. The pep band is generally run by a graduate assistant in the School of Music as well; and, that is the way it should be. It gives valuable experience to these students, as it is at many universities. If anyone remembers Kevin Brown's direction of the group, it was superb, as he also has a great love for Panther basketball.

I do not condone personally criticizing our student athletes, and find it deplorable that people would be so easy to do the same to our student musicians as well. If you have a problem with their musicianship, then make you constructive criticism heard, being aware that these people are spending a lot of time to make your experience better.

Finally, when is the last time anyone here supported the talented musicians that UNI has in droves? Go to a concert at the GBPAC, or, treat yourself to a Jazz Band One concert in the renovated Russell Hall auditorium. You can see the calendar at www.uni.edu/music. Click on the jazz studies link for that specific calendar. Try to attend the Tallcorn Jazz Festival in February, where Phi Mu Alpha fraternity takes a huge loss of money each year to bring in a world-renowned guest artist to usually be met with very little community support, no matter the amount of advertising. So, there is my plug - I just think it might be helpful to have an idea of what your student musicians are actually doing, and get a little more insight into their lives. Give them a little support yourselves before you criticize them for something they have little no control over.

That being said, Go Panthers! I hope for better results against Bradley.

yes and no. When I was at UNI I had a friend who was a music major, yes he practiced all the time, but he still had PLENTY of time to do other stuff he wanted, and that included basketball games. To me the excuse of music majors have too much on there hands is just not a good excuse. How about the business students who take 15 to 18 credit hours, have a part-time job, have to study, and compete in school competitions yet still make it to most games. Its called time management.

Its not the fact that music majors are too busy, its just that they don't want to go which is fine, I am not saying that is bad, some people just don't like sports.

I think the pep band provides a great atmosphere to college athletics, but could we please learn some MORE SONGS. I swear all we play are the same songs over and over. Mix it up a bit!

Another note, i think is more of an issue to take up with Dannen and the AD office.

[Panther-at-Arms]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

It's not the majors that are the issue. It's the non-majors and the few majors that are in the pep band whining about having to be at all the games.

[pmbclarinet]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

Long time reader, first time poster, 5 year PMB and pep band alum.

I was a non-major and I would bend over backwards to be at every game. One year we had a band over X-mas break for one game, only because it was on ESPN2. The pep band is not required by music majors unlike marching band. You do have those persons in the band who are in it for the $150 scholarship they get who whine about being at the games. The athletic department heads up the bands but it is the School of Music Graduate Assistants who actually run the band at each game. And through my years I knew of some graduate assistants who loved to be there and made band fun, and others who had to run the pep band becuase it was their "duty" and cared more about when the game was over than anything else.

Maybe some sort of alumni band over the breaks would be something good. This way the students and graduate assistants get their "break" that they covet so much and there is a band in the McLeod! I know I would make a two hour trip to play for a game each year during the holiday season.

[Panther'73]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

I don't really miss the band.

[UNI83]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

I don't really miss the band.

I like the actual music being played, myself. However, there is something about a pep band being at the game that adds to a college atmosphere

[Kyle]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

Who knew there was this many band nerds lurking on PN?

[Griffitz]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

typical.
the team is lacking, so blame the band.
Me thinks that there are bigger issues here................maybe winning a game?
Why is it that other teams can win and we cannot?
Woe is me.
Damn you Panther Band. This is all your fault.
Give me a break.
Here's a quarter, buy a clue

wth is this

[06panther10]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

Bump for continued lameness from the UNI pep band.

7 home games so far for MBB, and 1 appearance by the pep band. (bet you can't guess what game they came to) We even had the Waterloo East HS pep band come to the Milwaukee game. Total embarrassment.

Pathetic and sad.

[Cannic88]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

No offense but I'm ok with it. They only know 3 songs and one of them is the fight song.

[Panther'73]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

The W'loo East pep band did ok by me. Didn't overwhelm and could actually hear PA announcements.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

Let's just keep bringing in area pep bands or even let the Cedar Falls municipal band put together a pep band for some games. I can just imagine some of the "older folks" in town having a blast playing in a college atmosphere. Give them free tix and let them go at it. Maybe even convert some new fans by bringing in various area bands.
If I was Dannen, I would tell whoever is in charge of the band that the deal is, you will play at 90% of home games or you won't get a trip to the MVC tournament or NCAA tournament if we are so blessed to make it. They can still go to those tournaments, but they will pay their own way if they want to go.

[achrist70]

Re: Will the band be at the game on Sunday?

Let's just keep bringing in area pep bands or even let the Cedar Falls municipal band put together a pep band for some games. I can just imagine some of the "older folks" in town having a blast playing in a college atmosphere. Give them free tix and let them go at it. Maybe even convert some new fans by bringing in various area bands.
If I was Dannen, I would tell whoever is in charge of the band that the deal is, you will play at 90% of home games or you won't get a trip to the MVC tournament or NCAA tournament if we are so blessed to make it. They can still go to those tournaments, but they will pay their own way if they want to go.

That would improve the situation a lot, the pep band takes these things for granted .