The Bobcat Nation

As you can probably guess from my name, I am a member of the MSU Spirit of the West Marching band. I decideed this best fits under athletics, after all we are on the athletics page. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, I was wondering what you would like to see more of from the band. As I've been looking around I've been noticing some of the more common complaints. One being the direction we play. Unfortunately, it is in our best interest to play to the people giving us money. However, we are working toward playing more toward the student section.

This year's show is going to Dave Matthews band, along with some AC/DC played at the start of the season. However, AC/DC is mostly for when we play in Seattle.

Please, tell me more of what you would like to see, and I will try to get some of the suggestions to Dr. Hunter.

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I would like to see more songs played by the band during the games. We play too many songs over the speakers. College atmospheres are great because of bands.

But you need more members in the band. I don't see that happening, but 30 kids is a pretty lame band no matter how good they are.

More songs (more selection).

When I played for the Cats the one thing that the band would do that would drive me crazy was play songs right before a play. You couldn’t hear the QB and center make calls. Don’t play music when the players are going to the line. Of course keep that in mind when the visiting team is going to the line . You would be really surprised how LOUD the music sounds on the field!

CelticCat wrote:But you need more members in the band. I don't see that happening, but 30 kids is a pretty lame band no matter how good they are.

I really think this is the key. I may be wrong but I was amazed at how small the band was last year vs. my college days (late 80's/early 90's). I am sure it is budget related (ala the cheerleaders) but I really think that is the biggest thing that could improve things.

mquast53000 wrote:When I played for the Cats the one thing that the band would do that would drive me crazy was play songs right before a play. You couldn’t hear the QB and center make calls. Don’t play music when the players are going to the line. Of course keep that in mind when the visiting team is going to the line . You would be really surprised how LOUD the music sounds on the field!

EXACTLY...When MSU has the ball (especially on a third down situation), DO NOT play once the team has broken the huddle (if we don't huddle, then do not play at all).

I remember a couple of years ago, we had the ball and it was 3rd down in a very critical situation of the game. We broke the huddle and the band was playing the entire time that Lulay was under center. Travis tried to audible, and we ended up getting a delay of game penalty because no one could hear the call. A buddy of mine went irate and ended up getting kicked out of the game for telling the band director what he thought of them.

1. More music from the band instead of the speakers. When I was at Oregon, all music came from the band. I know this is mainly the fault of the athletic department (which insists on playing that stupid junk), but maybe someone will look here and find that fans go to college football games to hear college marching bands, not the Beastie Boys.

2. Look at Oregon in terms of when to play and when not to play. It's legal to play while the opposing team is in huddle, but not once the huddle breaks. Likewise, it's okay to play while the home team is moving, but pipe down once they go to huddle.

3. Play to the student section more at halftime. The season ticket holders are all gone for halftime. It might be interesting to ask both sides of the stadium to cheer, then play to whichever side is loudest. Might inspire some of us to stay. Better yet, play to both sides. It takes a big band to pull it off, or very good coordination, but it is possible to play to both sides at the same time.

4. AC/DC should be good. Not sure how DMB will sound from a marching band. To be honest, I like the AC/DC idea a lot better. DMB might sound really washed out, and everyone recognizes Back in Black. Nothing like Hells Bells to get a fourth quarter started either....

Thanks for being part of the band. I know it's not always the most pleasant job, but college football wouldn't be football without the band.

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems the biggest thing is for us to play more...if only we could get the athletic department to realize that. I do agree that it would help if we were bigger. But, we had 80 people this year, far bigger than 3 years ago, and under Dr. Hunter's guidance, we are growing. Our basketball season pep band is known as the best playing, and most annoying for the other team band in the conference.. I wish they would allow the marching band the chance to try and earn that title too.

I'm serious! Our band needs Sousaphones (you know-those big tubas such as what Ohio State uses to dot their "i"). A marching band with no sousaphones looks like a peacock with no feathers-a buck with no antlers, a rose bush with no roses...