I only hope that it is the best in years. I also marched under both, and was totally open to the change the first year. It might not have been fun learning all the sets that we did, and we may have been on the practice field forever some afternoons and saturday mornings, but I was usually Proud of what we would put on the field on Saturdays. I can't say that about the last 2 years.
The Million Dollar Band
- Thread starter ncbama
- Start date
Typically it's a snippet from Les Miserables - from the song "Look Down" I think....
I marched under both as well.
Dr. Ozzello simply has no imagination--it's evident from his teaching style in every course he teaches (I have a music degree from UA). It's not that he doesn't mean well, but he does have some character flaws that will keep the band down as long as he is in charge. He seems to have a serious inferiority complex regarding Ms. Scott (since he continually mentioned how bad she was his first year as MDB director) as well as anyone who doesn't agree with him 100%. The new assistant director has very little collegiate experience and was chosen over more qualified candidates, one of whom had proven himself at Alabama for a number of years. If he is given control of the MDB, it won't make a difference--he's a "yes man" to Dr. O.
Regardless, I look forward to more of the same from the MDB this year.
And as far as JSU's "300 music majors" in its marching band, that's a pointless statement to make--they're still majoring in music at JSU; they might as well purchase their degree from Sam's Club.
Dr. Ozzello simply has no imagination--it's evident from his teaching style in every course he teaches (I have a music degree from UA). It's not that he doesn't mean well, but he does have some character flaws that will keep the band down as long as he is in charge. He seems to have a serious inferiority complex regarding Ms. Scott (since he continually mentioned how bad she was his first year as MDB director) as well as anyone who doesn't agree with him 100%. The new assistant director has very little collegiate experience and was chosen over more qualified candidates, one of whom had proven himself at Alabama for a number of years. If he is given control of the MDB, it won't make a difference--he's a "yes man" to Dr. O.
Regardless, I look forward to more of the same from the MDB this year.
And as far as JSU's "300 music majors" in its marching band, that's a pointless statement to make--they're still majoring in music at JSU; they might as well purchase their degree from Sam's Club.
A few things should be pointed out that all of the "band" members will know. The JSU Southerners make up 75-80% of the Spirit drum and bugle corp. The Spirit used to be the Spirit of Atlanta (why they used that name always baffled me considering most of the members were JSU students, but that's for another discussion). Anyway, I love the MDB and always have, but JSU has always used an approach that most DCI (Drum Corp International) groups use, which was really fast footwork, complicated angles and a lot of brass and drum sounds. The MDB has never used that approach...they have always used a marching band approach to their music and it's just a different philosophy in style and substance. Both are great, but they are two different styles of marching bands.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth.
Man, this topic has taken a turn for the ugly. T-minus one more page of this topic before the mods have had enough with the band-nerd spat.
I did band for three years (2004 through 2006) and it definitely was not the same organization that I grew up watching. I didn't like very many of the shows either, honestly. Dr. O as a man I'm fine with...I think the guy makes an honest effort to know everybody's name, which is impressive to me. He is generally always been a pro-student director who is considerate of our time restraints and needs. Dr. O as a leader, I'm not sold on.
If I had to go to one more podunk high school stadium in the name of "recruiting", I would have blown a gasket. This is the MDB...we should not have to go sullying our name by playing at damn high school football games just to increase interest and exposure with high school musicians. I've got a novel idea: instead of using so much time and buzz-kill energy playing at these meaningless gigs, we should start focusing on - hold your breath - making the band experience so much better the MDB sells itself...and that probably includes not making the band go march at Hoover after the damn homecoming game.
Besides, recruiting for the band just solved itself...one word: Saban. What's the best way for an incoming freshmen to see a lot of Alabama football? Taking advantage of their musical talent and getting that free ticket that is being a band member. Some things are a hard sell, this is not one of them.
I usually enjoy watching the MDB at halftime and really appreciate the efforts and work of the members. However, last season was somewhat painful as it seemed the same "shows" were repeated. I noticed in the 2005 season when LSU was at BDS their band was extremely loud and wondered why? Do they use more drums, etc?
:BigA:
:BigA:
Cajuns are always loud :wink: But seriously, I think their director does a good job of getting arrangements that are heavy on the low brass. That's what gives them the full, loud sound IMO. It's seems our arrangements revolve around supporting the trumpets, which are loud, but not a nice full well rounded sound....
funny how only the band members don't think that volume is important in a 92,000 seat stadium. :rolleye2:
Well how many normal people are going to notice or much less remark about the articulation of the triplets or the interesting polyrhythm beat between the brass and the percussion. Everybody who isn't in music is going: why is he talking three articulate babies and what kind of mental disorder is "polyrhythm".
Loud is the easiest way to capture a crowd's attention. Preferably loud and something they relate to.
The Spirit of Troy band last season moved their seating from in the middle of the student section along the USC sideline to the one of the endzone seating areas. The band director said that he wanted to create more sound with his band. Now USC's stadium and Alabama's stadium are built a bit differently, but would this help the MDB if they moved to one of the endzones?
Don't be stupid, I never said I didn't think it was important. I was remarking on the preoccupation.
Those of us that know Dr. O, think. Knowing how he is we should know that he's going to concentrate on the more musical side of what we play. Louder where it's appropriate to the style of the piece and all that. So there's no point in asking for it until he's gone.
Besides, I can think of plenty of times where we've gotten loud and nothing...so it's more the music than anything. Expecting Dr. O to change the way he is is like asking grass not to be green.
We used to sit in an end zone. Guess who had it changed? Another gem is that Dr. Ozzello banned any musical quotations of "Dixie," which is why none of the traditional pregame music is played any more AND potentially why Kerchner is no longer arranging for the band (all of Kerchner's arrangements had "Dixie" or a variation of it built into the song as a sort of tribute to Alabama, including the "Lord's Prayer/Amazing Grace" arrangement). And, even better, ending three of "Yea, Alabama!" is no longer played by the MDB (the one where the usual "Crimson Tide, Roll Tide, Roll Tide" is dramatically stretched out by a high instrument/low instrument call and answer).
And of course, grass doesn't have the free will to chose not to be green. Dr. Ozzello has the chance to take the advice of Alabama's fans. I have a music degree. I understand the importance of musicality. Entertainment and musicality are not mutually exclusive--they can coexist.
And of course, grass doesn't have the free will to chose not to be green. Dr. Ozzello has the chance to take the advice of Alabama's fans. I have a music degree. I understand the importance of musicality. Entertainment and musicality are not mutually exclusive--they can coexist.
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I wonder if a lot of his issue is that he's not from near here. Maybe he finds it harder to put himself into the band and the spirit of Alabama the way Mrs. Scott did? I dunno...I'd give anything to play some of the old staples of the MDB, but if I don't then it's ok. Alabama games are about Alabama in every sense of the manifestation, and the transitioning from one band director to another has seen the MDB lose that somewhere. I won't sit and say that Dr. O doesn't do what he does well though. Oh well...his band.
As for seating placement, I have no input. I never heard the MDB where you all are talking about. My family could never afford to come to the games.
He better take the advice of the fans. How is where the band sits? how loud they play? what they play relevant on the football board? Because when the Million Dollar Band marches into Bryant Denny Stadium they are there to support and contribute to the atmosphere of Alabama FOOTBALL. When the MDB performs in contests or other exhibitions they can demonstrate musicality and fancy footwork. When they perform at a football game their primary role should be to contribute to the atmosphere (i.e., the enjoyment of the home fans, and the despair of the visitor's). If they are sitting under a ledge where 18,000 of those fans can't hear the fight song then there is a major problem. If they are playing music from the stands that is boring and nobody cares about then that is a major problem (I am not talking about the half time show here).
Most of the complaints I have seen here from non-band folks (that would be us ticket buying fans) are about how engaged the MDB is during the football game.
Like them or not when the LSU Band Marches into Tiger Stadium and blasts those first four notes ... you know the ones I am talking about ... if you don't get goose bumps something is wrong with you. We as fans should demand that. How effective would the Gator Chomp or the FSU's War Chant be if 20% of the stadium could not hear the band start the cheers?
The band member should demand to be a part of something like that. When I was a student at Alabama the Million Dollar Band would march into the stadium and form up in front of the student section, salute and blast Yea Alabama! That started the experience off, it is one of my favorite and most enduring memories.
As fans, this is all we are really asking for: Play stuff we want to hear, Play it loud enough for us to hear it (or locate so that we can hear it played), Play it at appropriate times. Seem simple enough for me.
If I want to hear concert music I go to a concert hall. Last I checked concert season starts in early winter through spring.
Dr. O seems to be subconsciously wanting me to consider wearing a smoking jacket and house slippers while sipping a glass of wine while at the stadium so that during halftime I fully embrace his selection of music.
I really wished CNS would make his mark on the MDB. They really need juicing up. Hell, I think UT's band is more entertaining than ours now.
Th flag girls are actually in many cases are featured more prominently now than the Crimsonettes. I dont remember ever taking a double take at a flag girl before.
Dr. O = CMS
Dr. O seems to be subconsciously wanting me to consider wearing a smoking jacket and house slippers while sipping a glass of wine while at the stadium so that during halftime I fully embrace his selection of music.
I really wished CNS would make his mark on the MDB. They really need juicing up. Hell, I think UT's band is more entertaining than ours now.
Th flag girls are actually in many cases are featured more prominently now than the Crimsonettes. I dont remember ever taking a double take at a flag girl before.
Dr. O = CMS
Well, when the LSU band or the boog band, etc. (sitting in the corner of the end zone at the opposite end of the field) almost blasts me out of the upper level of section F on the west side and I can barely hear the MDB sitting almost directly across the field from me, LOUD becomes important to us "non-band members". Not necessarily referring to halftime but to the various points during the game when the bands play. Sorry if you are ffended. :conf2: :
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