UM Band???

[RKMCMT]

They were very good. Our band was also quite a bit down in numbers (like 30-40%) due to break.

I think most of the difference though is that those kids come up in a football culture where the band back-and-forth is part of most the games they attend. So they were very polished by a kind of competition that bands in our conference never really see. Their sets were very geared towards that, you could tell. Where as ours tend to be more complete-ish musical pieces.

I think (hope) it was a learning experience for SotW though. Definitely food for thought.

[RKMCMT]

But on the topic of UM's band coming, if it really is an NCAA rule that they MUST be accommodated, ironically, I doubt they will.

Because if that's the case the only reason our band can't go there is by mutual agreement that neither school will request band seating. If they go back on that, then MSU would pretty much have to return the favor next time around. And the smart money is on Missoula ultimately being the ones who most wanted to end the back and forth between the bands as SotW outgrew them.

[wbtfg]

Agree....SFA band was great! Which wasn't totally surprising, considering how close they are to Louisiana.

[wbtfg]

But on the topic of UM's band coming, if it really is an NCAA rule that they MUST be accommodated, ironically, I doubt they will.

Because if that's the case the only reason our band can't go there is by mutual agreement that neither school will request band seating. If they go back on that, then MSU would pretty much have to return the favor next time around. And the smart money is on Missoula ultimately being the ones who most wanted to end the back and forth between the bands as SotW outgrew them.

This game is totally separate and removed from any in-season conference matchup.

[BgCATfan]

As I understand it MSU and UM agreed not to bring their bands on the road in the Brawl of the Wild.
What about this game? The reason I ask is because my seats were close to the SFA band and it was so annoying. They played LOUDLY throughout the game. Credit to them for having a good and loud band but I certainly hope we don’t have to suffer a similar experience Saturday with Brawl 2.0!

My wife and I thought the song that they played at halftime where they sang as well was really cool though!

[RKMCMT]

But on the topic of UM's band coming, if it really is an NCAA rule that they MUST be accommodated, ironically, I doubt they will.

Because if that's the case the only reason our band can't go there is by mutual agreement that neither school will request band seating. If they go back on that, then MSU would pretty much have to return the favor next time around. And the smart money is on Missoula ultimately being the ones who most wanted to end the back and forth between the bands as SotW outgrew them.

This game is totally separate and removed from any in-season conference matchup.

In theory. But if the rule is bands must be accommodated as requested but MSU and UM made an agreement to no longer request accomodation, I doubt UM is going to be allowed to say "except at playoff games in Bozeman" without MSU returning the favor at the next opportunity.

[BelligerentBobcat]

But on the topic of UM's band coming, if it really is an NCAA rule that they MUST be accommodated, ironically, I doubt they will.

Because if that's the case the only reason our band can't go there is by mutual agreement that neither school will request band seating. If they go back on that, then MSU would pretty much have to return the favor next time around. And the smart money is on Missoula ultimately being the ones who most wanted to end the back and forth between the bands as SotW outgrew them.

This game is totally separate and removed from any in-season conference matchup.

In theory. But if the rule is bands must be accommodated as requested but MSU and UM made an agreement to no longer request accomodation, I doubt UM is going to be allowed to say "except at playoff games in Bozeman" without MSU returning the favor at the next opportunity.

It’s not UM saying “except at playoff games”, it’s the NCAA. You’re thinking too much lol

[RKMCMT]

But on the topic of UM's band coming, if it really is an NCAA rule that they MUST be accommodated, ironically, I doubt they will.

Because if that's the case the only reason our band can't go there is by mutual agreement that neither school will request band seating. If they go back on that, then MSU would pretty much have to return the favor next time around. And the smart money is on Missoula ultimately being the ones who most wanted to end the back and forth between the bands as SotW outgrew them.

This game is totally separate and removed from any in-season conference matchup.

In theory. But if the rule is bands must be accommodated as requested but MSU and UM made an agreement to no longer request accomodation, I doubt UM is going to be allowed to say "except at playoff games in Bozeman" without MSU returning the favor at the next opportunity.

It’s not UM saying “except at playoff games”, it’s the NCAA. You’re thinking too much lol

I guess maybe I misread the original post. I thought it was a general rule but maybe it's only a playoff rule. I'm not sure.

It's just not something that comes up in the Big Sky very often obviously.. But I thought it was a mistake to discontinue band accomodations for Cat/Griz in the first place.

[lutecat]

They were very good. Our band was also quite a bit down in numbers (like 30-40%) due to break.

I think most of the difference though is that those kids come up in a football culture where the band back-and-forth is part of most the games they attend. So they were very polished by a kind of competition that bands in our conference never really see. Their sets were very geared towards that, you could tell. Where as ours tend to be more complete-ish musical pieces.

I think (hope) it was a learning experience for SotW though. Definitely food for thought.

Marching band competitions are huge in other parts of the state. At MSU it just a fun thing for them all to do. And we aren't a music school.

My guess is SFA has a great music program. And marching in TX is huge and a big competition. In high school let alone college. Looked it up. There are 57 staff members at their school of muisc!

I remember at CMR we had a kid that played drums. The only way you could get out of marching band if you played in any of the bands is if you played a fall sport. This kid wanted to march. But went on to be the 3rd string qb behind Leaf because he didn't get anything from marching if it wasn't a hard-core competition. And at least he got competition playing football. He came from Ohio or something like that.

[nutman]

The SFA band was fun. So glad they sent them. If you were pissed by the difference that’s a good thing. They added to an experience and made it more memorable. Plus they sounded great!

So does SOTW, but I wish we could have seen the SFA halftime show. Just saying. There was plenty of time.

[Joe Bobcat]

Can they even afford to send their band all the way to Bozeman? I know that has been an issue for UM in the past.

Well, they may have time for a bake sale and a go fundme page. Or maybe let alumni band members bid for the chance to attend and bring their instrument. Would sound just as bad as their regular band.

Hey now they don't sound too bad on most of what they play. It's just their fight song that is atrocious and if our Bobcats can keep them from scoring, we won't have to hear it.

[OutlanderCatAlum]

Well, they may have time for a bake sale and a go fundme page. Or maybe let alumni band members bid for the chance to attend and bring their instrument. Would sound just as bad as their regular band.

Back in the day, I was a member of the SOTW band and have since had experience directing as well, so I want to be careful in critiquing bands. A lot of hard prep work and practice usually precedes their public performances.

I do, though, think the SOTW is currently the better band between UM and MSU; and it could be just a matter of the UM band taking the time and extra effort to tune their instruments individually and then with each other and keeping an "ear" on it as the game goes on. Weather and temperature affects that as well. A great performance can be ruined by poor intonation.

Anyway, I would agree that college bands help set the college football atmosphere. I wish they were given a bit more time than the PA canned music.

My two cents.

Go Cats!!

[aucat]

I enjoyed the SFA band. They are the best sounding marching band I've ever heard in person. Yes SotW is good. But SFA was really good.

But yes they need to stop playing when supposed to. I did get a kick out of them playing once the ball was caught on a kickoff during the return. The William Tell overture.

I don't think you would have enjoyed them if you had been in my seat. I WILL agree with you that it was a big band and they played VERY LOUD.
I was amazed that SFA brought that many band members all the way from east Texas up here. I had to wonder, did they come on a bus (heck of a long drive,) or did they fly (talk about expensive.) But I agree, whatever UM shows up with surely will be no match for the SFA band.

[damnyoutuesday]

I enjoyed the SFA band. They are the best sounding marching band I've ever heard in person. Yes SotW is good. But SFA was really good.

But yes they need to stop playing when supposed to. I did get a kick out of them playing once the ball was caught on a kickoff during the return. The William Tell overture.

I don't think you would have enjoyed them if you had been in my seat. I WILL agree with you that it was a big band and they played VERY LOUD.
I was amazed that SFA brought that many band members all the way from east Texas up here. I had to wonder, did they come on a bus (heck of a long drive,) or did they fly (talk about expensive.) But I agree, whatever UM shows up with surely will be no match for the SFA band.

They flew up on the fan charter Friday morning if I understood correctly

[wbtfg]

Highlight was When they started playing “Neck”……thats not a song you hear up here.

[kwcat]

I had a buddy comment about all of the discussion on the SFA band. He said what the hell is everybody talking about! He was at the game and did not even realize that Stephen F Austin brought a band.!lol

[coloradocat]

I had a buddy comment about all of the discussion on the SFA band. He said what the hell is everybody talking about! He was at the game and did not even realize that Stephen F Austin brought a band.!lol

I sit at the bottom of the opposite corner of the endzone and after early in the first quarter I never heard them play again. I actually wondered in the second half why they stopped playing. I guess the crowd was just louder than them.

[kwcat]

I had a buddy comment about all of the discussion on the SFA band. He said what the hell is everybody talking about! He was at the game and did not even realize that Stephen F Austin brought a band.!lol

I sit at the bottom of the opposite corner of the endzone and after early in the first quarter I never heard them play again. I actually wondered in the second half why they stopped playing. I guess the crowd was just louder than them.

They continued to play quite a bit through the whole game I thought, but maybe my memory is off

[coloradocat]

I had a buddy comment about all of the discussion on the SFA band. He said what the hell is everybody talking about! He was at the game and did not even realize that Stephen F Austin brought a band.!lol

I sit at the bottom of the opposite corner of the endzone and after early in the first quarter I never heard them play again. I actually wondered in the second half why they stopped playing. I guess the crowd was just louder than them.

They continued to play quite a bit through the whole game I thought, but maybe my memory is off

That's what people have said but I just never heard them (or if I did I figured it was our band).

[kwcat]

I had a buddy comment about all of the discussion on the SFA band. He said what the hell is everybody talking about! He was at the game and did not even realize that Stephen F Austin brought a band.!lol

I sit at the bottom of the opposite corner of the endzone and after early in the first quarter I never heard them play again. I actually wondered in the second half why they stopped playing. I guess the crowd was just louder than them.

They continued to play quite a bit through the whole game I thought, but maybe my memory is off

That's what people have said but I just never heard them (or if I did I figured it was our band).

A few times both bands started playing at the same time and different music so there might’ve been some misunderstanding or maybe just a little friendly competition