I wonder if the guy over the guard being such a - how shall I say nicely - sycophant towards Dr. O has anything I to do with it? As for the Dr. O = CMS...I've thought that since my freshman year.
The Million Dollar Band
- Thread starter ncbama
- Start date
Well...I've stayed out of this as long as I can. Guess I'll jump in and add my $0.02 worth.
First of all, to all the members of the MDB, both past and present, what you do, you do well. You put in many hours of hard work in order to prepare the shows and you deserve the appreciation of the fans in the stands. I've always been a big fan of the MDB's and I always will be. I grew up being amazed by the Kaleidescope (sp?) shows of Dr. Ferguson. I have to say that the execution, especially the M&M and intonation, etc., have never been better than they have been since Ken took over as director. However, the typical football fan could care less about things like execution. They want to be entertained and if the show itself is not entertaining, the concession stand lines are a better place to spend halftime than the seating area. Since Ken took over, the band's shows, while well executed, have not been entertaining. What I'm looking for as far as entertainment value is concerned is exciting, upbeat music that is recognizable and has a full brassy sound--yes--LOUD! Not just loud, though, but loud and played well. The last couple of years are the only times in over 25 years of attending every home game that I've consistently left my seat at halftime to go to the concession stands. Until Ken learns how to put together exciting shows with exciting music, I'll continue to find my way to the concession stand at halftime.
Regarding other matters: Until I finally got moved to the west side lower bowl a couple of years back, I screamed louder than anyone about the band's seats being moved to the east side lower level below the upper deck. When the band sat in the Southeast corner of the stadium, I never had trouble hearing them while seated in the east upper deck; however, once Dr. O moved them, I never heard one note from them during the game. I remember one year during the UT game, I heard Rocky Top til I thought I'd upchuck; however, I never once heard 'Yea, Alabama!" Now that I"m on the west side lower bowl, I personally don't have a complaint; however, for those of you still in the East Upper Deck, I know how disappointing it is to be at a game and never hear our fight song. It seems like TPTB would want the band to be as effective as possible during the game and the best way for that to happen is to place them where the maximum number of the 92,00+ fans in attendance can hear them.
I'm not looking for fireworks, cannon blasts, special guest entertainers, etc., nor am I looking for Phantom, Amazing Grace, Patriotic shows, or any of my other KScott favorites; however, I am looking for something that will make me want to stay at my seat during halftime and will compel me to stand and applaud at the end of the show. I truly don't think Dr. O is capable of putting that kind of product on the field.
First of all, to all the members of the MDB, both past and present, what you do, you do well. You put in many hours of hard work in order to prepare the shows and you deserve the appreciation of the fans in the stands. I've always been a big fan of the MDB's and I always will be. I grew up being amazed by the Kaleidescope (sp?) shows of Dr. Ferguson. I have to say that the execution, especially the M&M and intonation, etc., have never been better than they have been since Ken took over as director. However, the typical football fan could care less about things like execution. They want to be entertained and if the show itself is not entertaining, the concession stand lines are a better place to spend halftime than the seating area. Since Ken took over, the band's shows, while well executed, have not been entertaining. What I'm looking for as far as entertainment value is concerned is exciting, upbeat music that is recognizable and has a full brassy sound--yes--LOUD! Not just loud, though, but loud and played well. The last couple of years are the only times in over 25 years of attending every home game that I've consistently left my seat at halftime to go to the concession stands. Until Ken learns how to put together exciting shows with exciting music, I'll continue to find my way to the concession stand at halftime.
Regarding other matters: Until I finally got moved to the west side lower bowl a couple of years back, I screamed louder than anyone about the band's seats being moved to the east side lower level below the upper deck. When the band sat in the Southeast corner of the stadium, I never had trouble hearing them while seated in the east upper deck; however, once Dr. O moved them, I never heard one note from them during the game. I remember one year during the UT game, I heard Rocky Top til I thought I'd upchuck; however, I never once heard 'Yea, Alabama!" Now that I"m on the west side lower bowl, I personally don't have a complaint; however, for those of you still in the East Upper Deck, I know how disappointing it is to be at a game and never hear our fight song. It seems like TPTB would want the band to be as effective as possible during the game and the best way for that to happen is to place them where the maximum number of the 92,00+ fans in attendance can hear them.
I'm not looking for fireworks, cannon blasts, special guest entertainers, etc., nor am I looking for Phantom, Amazing Grace, Patriotic shows, or any of my other KScott favorites; however, I am looking for something that will make me want to stay at my seat during halftime and will compel me to stand and applaud at the end of the show. I truly don't think Dr. O is capable of putting that kind of product on the field.
Amen to what BamaLaw said. No one is looking for KS to come back, but just more sound and entertainment. Trust me, it's not going to get any better this year. As long as Dr. O is there then I don't believe that ANYTHING will change. It's not like things have gotten any better. I believe that things have slowly gotten worse in terms of presence in the stands and entertainment value on the field. To echo what others have said, maybe the intonation is better but fans don't care if they can't A) hear the band and B) have something to listen to that they want to hear.
What does JSU stand for? Jackson State? Jacksonville State? Jefferson Standard U? Jonesboro State U?
It seems as though everyone on this board knew immediately what band it was. Please help those of us still in the dark on this.
Well, most of the people that know what JSU is are either band members, from Alabama.....or have been through the MDB flame wars before!
JSU = Jacksonville State University
Check out: http://www.marchingsoutherners.org Listen to the media files.
...or perhaps they grew up in Northeast/East Central Alabama (Gadsden, for me) and perhaps their parents met at JSU. Perhaps, they were inundated by JSU while in high school--as was I, in jr. high and high school. Our asst. band directors worked with JSU and/or Spirit. JSU's band has always been pretty darn awesome and, because of what I grew up watching/listening to and playing in, , and my preference for corps style shows, I do prefer their style to that of the MDB. Both are outstanding bands. Most years JSU's Marching Southerners would blow the MDB away--not because they are necessarily better, but because they have a generally much fuller, brassier sound and play arrangements which lend themselves to a fuller sound.
For most people who have a preference, it is probably more a style preference, as mine is. My heart is in all things Bama--including the MDB; however, my style preference would be that of JSU.
Personally, I think the bigger issue is that a 380 piece band with 300 members who are either music majors, corp members, or both, will outmarch and out play a band made up of 350 members, 300 of which are accounting, business, pre-law, etc. That is not really arguable. The Southerners are so good because of the music program existing for itself instead of the football team.
Calling me stupid IS stupid. Grow up.
ANYWAY, I think by the number of responses to this thread it's obvious that fans care very much about how our University and team are being represented by our MDB. For years the band has given us a huge sense of pride and awesomely represented us both at home and on the road. It's just very very sad to see it dragged down into mediocrity by its leadership. I just wish the administration would wise up to the mass disappointment and make a change.
BTW - Ms. Scott's favorite drum major in the late 90's, Cory Spurlin, is now the new director at Auburn after spending a few years as an assistant at LSU. I guess they'll probably be better than the MDB now as well. Woohoo.
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I'm sorry, should I have said don't be ignorant(of my meaning)?
See, I was hoping that it was very easy to imply from what I said that I was remarking on the preoccupation. It was obvious to me, anyway, and I thought it would be to you. I guess I didn't realize you were so easily offended. Call it an oversight on my part. But since you've already done the same in this thread, I'd say we're even. :rolleye2:
And I'm plenty grown. What I said wasn't meant as an insult. It was correct use of the word.
www.dictionary.com
stupid
1. lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind;
Wheeee, stupid freaking thread started in innocence turns into something complete stupid and reminds us all why the MDB board was shut down.
Remember, the MDB board wasn't shut down until Dr. Ozzello came along. I know that he at one point considered asking for TideFans to remove the board and that he mentioned "posts on the internet" several times throughout his first year.
In regards to the administration doing anything about the band, there's less chance of that than there is of Dr. Ozzello shooting off some fireworks this year. He is a "Yes" man to them, whereas Kathryn Scott gave them the proverbial finger on several occasions. I know that we were asked to comply with certain Rammer Jammer policies my first year in the MDB and that Ms. Scott did NOT adhere to them at all. Over the next few years, she gradually gave in but not to the extent that Ozzello has. They would have never asked Ms. Scott to refrain from playing during ad-announcements, and if they did, she would have told them where to stick it.
That's not to say that KS wasn't without her faults, either. I was actually looking somewhat forward to change when she left due to the insanely long rehearsals and seasonal leadership problems, among other things. Unfortunately, most of the things that weren't broken were "fixed" along with those that were broken.
In regards to the administration doing anything about the band, there's less chance of that than there is of Dr. Ozzello shooting off some fireworks this year. He is a "Yes" man to them, whereas Kathryn Scott gave them the proverbial finger on several occasions. I know that we were asked to comply with certain Rammer Jammer policies my first year in the MDB and that Ms. Scott did NOT adhere to them at all. Over the next few years, she gradually gave in but not to the extent that Ozzello has. They would have never asked Ms. Scott to refrain from playing during ad-announcements, and if they did, she would have told them where to stick it.
That's not to say that KS wasn't without her faults, either. I was actually looking somewhat forward to change when she left due to the insanely long rehearsals and seasonal leadership problems, among other things. Unfortunately, most of the things that weren't broken were "fixed" along with those that were broken.
Read this post I wrote yesterday...if you know anything about DCI it might clearify things for you. http://tidefans.com/forums/showpost.php?p=622004&postcount=45
The board should have been shut down and I hope it stays down. It was full of negative things day in and day out. Every other post was begging for Kathryn to come back when half the people posting it had no idea of the crazy junk that went on when she was here.
I agree and yet I disagree. The reason the Southerners are as powerful as they are has more to do with something BamaLaw said. They are very BRASS & DRUM intense and less Woodwind. Their marching is amazing because so many of them are Spirit members and march much faster and do much more difficult manouvers than normal marching bands do.
I also agree that our half-time shows have for the most part become a bit boring. We've been doing these dumb tributes over the past few year and it is killing me. This is NOT a knock on the MDB members because you guys are great...this is a knock on Dr. O.
Also, I don't have to recognize the music for it to affect me in a positive way! It just has to be powerful.
Anyway, here's to hoping that Dr. O takes a que from some of the better corps.
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I marched in the MDB from 1987 to 1992. It was my understanding that the number 1 major in the band (besides music) was Engineering. I graduated in 1992 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
I marched for 5 years under Ms. Scott and enjoyed it greatly.
Dr. O was there for a couple of those years as well under Ms. Scott.
I did not have anything against him, but he was not as personable as Ms. Scott or the previous marching director (Brad Caraway, if I remember correctly).
I have only seen the band 1 time in the past few years, so it is hard for me to form an opinion on the status of the MDB.
One caveat about my post above this. It is not meant as a knock on woodwind instruments. They are simply not as powerful as the Brass are and that is all I meant. The MDB seems to use a lot of woodwind sounds, which are pretty but almost hard to hear at times.
Yeah, the band will probably have 50 altos this year and it wouldn't make a difference in the sound they create if we had 50 less. Others might not, but I will go as far as to say that every woodwind instrument besides the piccolo are completely useless. Since I think freshmen entering the band will increase as Saban builds our program, Dr. O might want to start putting quotas on the woodwinds and focus on the real sound (percussion and brass).
I'm not going to go that far simply because the woodwind section can have a dramatic effect when needed and sound nice. However, you can definitely play songs (as the Souterners do) that have a nice woodwind section yet still put some serious power in with the brass & drum line.
Also, it would be pretty impossible to play Yea Alabama without a woodwind section and have it sound right!
rgw, I agree with you totally. Maybe he can allow them in, but just march a larger number of brass than woodwinds?
I grew up idolizing Alabama, and a lot of what made gameday was hearing the MDB over the television. My heart would've been permanently torn in two if I hadn't been able to be in the MDB in at least some form or another. I'd hate it for other people not to get the opportunity because of a decision they made (if you started in sixth grade like me) about 10 years ago.
I grew up idolizing Alabama, and a lot of what made gameday was hearing the MDB over the television. My heart would've been permanently torn in two if I hadn't been able to be in the MDB in at least some form or another. I'd hate it for other people not to get the opportunity because of a decision they made (if you started in sixth grade like me) about 10 years ago.
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