On September 25,2010 I attended the U of A vs. California football game.When it comes to marching band in Tucson,of course the top of the ladder is The Pride of Arizona.
Unfortunately,I was not able to attend The Iowa Game,which was a great step toward creating a football culture in Tucson.Now having experienced the Pac-10 myself and having marched in two Rose Bowls,I know that the opening Pac-10 Game of the year is far more important than the Iowa Game.It was disappointing to find the crowd and the team flat.
It is really sad that only 11,500 season student tickets are sold for the year.A school the size of Arizona should have two or three times more student season tickets than that sold.With 10,000 students graduating every year,there should be a steady increase in season tickets every year.In 1978,The U of A drew roughly the same amount that they will this year,but the Tucson Metropolitan Area is at least twice the size as it was in 1978.
At 5:15,I watched the team arrive and walk through the band,to the stadium.This is the sort of tradition that the U of A has lacked.Kudos to Greg Byrne,The Athletic Director,for instituting this.
Last season I attended the Central Michigan Game,and earned the ire of my friends,when I insisted on getting to the game in time to see the pregame show.Unfortunately,there was no pregame show.So,I was very happy to see that the band is doing pregame this year!
Another thing I was happy to see was that the band did not go to the concession stand in the 3rd quarter,and seemed to have a high energy level the entire game.
The band and the crowd have to learn when to get loud and when to be quiet.The most formidable force in athletics is a home crowd when the opposition has the ball.The band should play after every play on defense.I love Kashmir and The Pink Floyd that the POA play on defense.Those are perfect songs to inspire the defense and intimidate the opponent.The Imperial March is good also,I just wish they would play it faster.
On offense,I really like it when the band plays the last chorus of the fight song every first down,it creates a nice feeling of momentum.It is critical though that The Drum Major watch the chains and the officials so that they can play before the team is calling signals,especially in the no-huddle offense.Other than that,there really is no other time the band should play on offense.Just like the way the basketball band plays the exact right thing at the exact right time,as the football culture grows,the marching band needs to develop that same skill.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
What makes Marching Band better than Drum Corps?
Drum Corps International puts on an amazing event every year where they televise the quarterfinals of The World Championships in cinemas across the country.It was showing at Park Place Mall,and I really left the show totally energized,all the young people around me were anxious to go play instruments or twirl rifles,so that`s when I decided to start this blog.
I`ve always dreamed of having an"In your face" world class drum corps in Tucson.So this little blog is my way of launching that grand venture,or at least my way of planting some seeds.Tucson has an awesome array of high schools full of talent to easily support a drum corps,and a huge university and community college also.And let`s face it,Tucson is a great place to get away from in the summer months!
So DCI considers themselves The Major League of marching music,and it is the place where most of the innovations to marching music happen,but technical proficiency is usually valued more than connecting with the audience.In my humble opinion the quality of music is intrinsically related to the connection with the audience.The Drum Corps activity doesn`t try hard enough to connect with the crowd.
This is where marching band has an edge.The role of marching band is one of support,for your friends,neighbors and classmates who are doing their best on the field.When your team isn`t doing well but your giving them your enthusiastic support,and they realize that they can`t give up because you`re behind them rallying support,that is where bonds are made,that`s what makes America great!Life is a team game and " look out" when we all pull together.That is why marching band can be so awesome.
So drum corps is a competitive art form mostly for the benefit of a judges score,whereas marching band can be a vehicle that galvanizes a community to achieve far more than any group could imagine doing on their own!
So remember that your role in marching band is to bring out the best in your team,and to be the focal point of spirit for your school.
I`ve always dreamed of having an"In your face" world class drum corps in Tucson.So this little blog is my way of launching that grand venture,or at least my way of planting some seeds.Tucson has an awesome array of high schools full of talent to easily support a drum corps,and a huge university and community college also.And let`s face it,Tucson is a great place to get away from in the summer months!
So DCI considers themselves The Major League of marching music,and it is the place where most of the innovations to marching music happen,but technical proficiency is usually valued more than connecting with the audience.In my humble opinion the quality of music is intrinsically related to the connection with the audience.The Drum Corps activity doesn`t try hard enough to connect with the crowd.
This is where marching band has an edge.The role of marching band is one of support,for your friends,neighbors and classmates who are doing their best on the field.When your team isn`t doing well but your giving them your enthusiastic support,and they realize that they can`t give up because you`re behind them rallying support,that is where bonds are made,that`s what makes America great!Life is a team game and " look out" when we all pull together.That is why marching band can be so awesome.
So drum corps is a competitive art form mostly for the benefit of a judges score,whereas marching band can be a vehicle that galvanizes a community to achieve far more than any group could imagine doing on their own!
So remember that your role in marching band is to bring out the best in your team,and to be the focal point of spirit for your school.
About Me
1975 Played trumpet in The Award Winning,Lakeland Regional High School Band,Wanaque,New Jersey.
1976 Played baritone horn in The Deering Ice Cream Bicentennial Band,Southern Maine.
1977 Played baritone horn in The Nunamaker Award Winning Catalina High School Band,Tucson,Arizona
1977 Played baritone horn in The University of Arizona Marching Band
1977 & 78 Member Southeastern Arizona Regional Bands
1978 Played lead trumpet in The Catalina High School Jazz Ensemble
!978 Played soprano bugle in The Desert Knights where we won The Arizona State Title at The State`s VFW Convention,then performed at The National VFW Convention in New Orleans.
1978-82 Played in The University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band,including two Rose Bowls,A Fiesta Bowl,and recorded and performed with Fleetwood Mac.
1979 Played with The Sunset Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps,Tucson,Arizona
1976 Played baritone horn in The Deering Ice Cream Bicentennial Band,Southern Maine.
1977 Played baritone horn in The Nunamaker Award Winning Catalina High School Band,Tucson,Arizona
1977 Played baritone horn in The University of Arizona Marching Band
1977 & 78 Member Southeastern Arizona Regional Bands
1978 Played lead trumpet in The Catalina High School Jazz Ensemble
!978 Played soprano bugle in The Desert Knights where we won The Arizona State Title at The State`s VFW Convention,then performed at The National VFW Convention in New Orleans.
1978-82 Played in The University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band,including two Rose Bowls,A Fiesta Bowl,and recorded and performed with Fleetwood Mac.
1979 Played with The Sunset Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps,Tucson,Arizona
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