Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
What Makes a Great Marching Band pt.2
We are specifically talking about college bands.It is difficult to compare college marching bands,but not impossible.One of the most important factors is definitely volume.It doesn`t matter how great your music is, if it can`t be heard. Also, volume is a critical factor in your ability to support the team.Now volume is sometimes dictated by the size of your brass section, but volume is also the result of working harder.Loudness only comes by giving maximum effort at every practice.So volume and support of the team are two factors in achieving greatness.A definite commitment to excellence is necessary throughout the entire organization.Tradition is something that can create greatness.The Script Ohio is a good example.
Certainly entertainment value (although very subjective) is important.Do people hurry to the stadium so they don`t miss the pregame show? Do people stay in their seats at halftime to watch the band? Every major college band plays different halftime shows for every home game,even The Leland Stanford Jr. University Marching Band!
I really thought the culture in Tucson was changing in regards to big time college football.This is a college town, that`s part of the cause of our frustration with this team.Every year unrealistic expectations are built up by the local media,but being the biggest show in town should be a great selling point for recruiting.The Monday after The Stanford Game,The POA should have been lined up between Mckale and the football practice field playing Bear Down, and letting the team know that they were still behind them.That might have lessened the feeling of impending doom in the stadium that Saturday Night against USC!
There is such a fatalistic approach to Arizona Football that it almost becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. A different mindset maybe the only difference between a 10-2 season and the 7-5 debacle of 2010.Maybe I am crazy,but if people are interested in seeing the POA pregame show,then the crowd and team aren`t flat like they were against OSU,USC & ASU!
After the tragic end to the season there isn`t likely to be a large contingent heading to The Alamo Bowl either,which could damage Arizona`s future bowl options.There is no substitute for enthusiasm,and The POA is one of the most important potential suppliers.
It starts with an exciting entrance to the stadium and continues through a traditional pregame show culminating with a rousing rendition of The National Anthem!Now the crowd,band and team are ready! Then a different, entertaining halftime show, and a postgame concert after the game! It is unacceptable at this level to not play a pregame,a Star Spangled Banner, and to only do one halftime show all season!It is also insulting to be told at every game that this is one of the five best bands in the nation.It simply isn`t true,and in the case of the ASU Game,The POA was only the second best band in the stadium.
Then for both marching bands to march and play their field shows after the game for a few dozen fans was absurd! For myself, The ASUSDMB show was pure bliss. If I was a high school Senior it would be an easy choice,but then again there probably weren`t any high school Seniors there.It is a mystery to me why neither band played a pregame, and only played abbreviated shows at halftime in front of 57,000.It is also a mystery to me how both bands had so much energy after the double overtime game?
Certainly entertainment value (although very subjective) is important.Do people hurry to the stadium so they don`t miss the pregame show? Do people stay in their seats at halftime to watch the band? Every major college band plays different halftime shows for every home game,even The Leland Stanford Jr. University Marching Band!
I really thought the culture in Tucson was changing in regards to big time college football.This is a college town, that`s part of the cause of our frustration with this team.Every year unrealistic expectations are built up by the local media,but being the biggest show in town should be a great selling point for recruiting.The Monday after The Stanford Game,The POA should have been lined up between Mckale and the football practice field playing Bear Down, and letting the team know that they were still behind them.That might have lessened the feeling of impending doom in the stadium that Saturday Night against USC!
There is such a fatalistic approach to Arizona Football that it almost becomes self-fulfilling prophecy. A different mindset maybe the only difference between a 10-2 season and the 7-5 debacle of 2010.Maybe I am crazy,but if people are interested in seeing the POA pregame show,then the crowd and team aren`t flat like they were against OSU,USC & ASU!
After the tragic end to the season there isn`t likely to be a large contingent heading to The Alamo Bowl either,which could damage Arizona`s future bowl options.There is no substitute for enthusiasm,and The POA is one of the most important potential suppliers.
It starts with an exciting entrance to the stadium and continues through a traditional pregame show culminating with a rousing rendition of The National Anthem!Now the crowd,band and team are ready! Then a different, entertaining halftime show, and a postgame concert after the game! It is unacceptable at this level to not play a pregame,a Star Spangled Banner, and to only do one halftime show all season!It is also insulting to be told at every game that this is one of the five best bands in the nation.It simply isn`t true,and in the case of the ASU Game,The POA was only the second best band in the stadium.
Then for both marching bands to march and play their field shows after the game for a few dozen fans was absurd! For myself, The ASUSDMB show was pure bliss. If I was a high school Senior it would be an easy choice,but then again there probably weren`t any high school Seniors there.It is a mystery to me why neither band played a pregame, and only played abbreviated shows at halftime in front of 57,000.It is also a mystery to me how both bands had so much energy after the double overtime game?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Most Amazing Night
I have to thank The Pride of Arizona for one of the most entertaining nights I`ve ever experienced at a college football game.Last night,12/2/2010,The POA and The ASU Sun Devil Band played a 25 minute postgame exibition.This was a 25 minute slice of heaven for a marching band fanatic like myself,especially the 11 minutes of The ASUSDB.This band kicks butt!!I had seen this show on Youtube but there is nothing like having that volume live and in your face!
The POA also was very impressive.
This event was incredible for the 500 fans,police and security people that witnessed it.What I don`t understand is, why 57,000 people didn`t get to see this?
When I arrived at Arizona Stadium 40 minutes before game time, The ASUSDB was already in their seats.The POA arrived 22 minutes before kickoff and ran to their lines for the team tunnel.Once again,there was no pregame show or National Anthem by The POA.When will Arizona join major college football and have both bands play a pregame show?
The POA also was very impressive.
This event was incredible for the 500 fans,police and security people that witnessed it.What I don`t understand is, why 57,000 people didn`t get to see this?
When I arrived at Arizona Stadium 40 minutes before game time, The ASUSDB was already in their seats.The POA arrived 22 minutes before kickoff and ran to their lines for the team tunnel.Once again,there was no pregame show or National Anthem by The POA.When will Arizona join major college football and have both bands play a pregame show?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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