The Band

[Green Otaku]

I know this isn't the most important topic, but I was curious as to what others thought. I live across the country so I can't attend games unfortunately, but from watching it on TV is it just me or has the band declined in quality in the last few years? When the camera shows them they look undisciplined/inattentive, some are just wandering around chatting. I see other bands together and ready to play as soon as a play is over. The size seems to have ballooned and now sprawls across 2 sections of the stands, and despite that they sound worse.

The director also doesn't seem to know that the purpose of the band is to hype up the team/crowd, and put pressure on the opposing team on 3rd downs. Play something intimidating on 3rd down! When they do play it seems like they just have a bank of songs they go through in order without considering the situation on the field. The selection of music is bad, and it doesn't seem like they have any variety of songs to connect with the crowd, many bands will play classic and modern hits to get the crowd into things.

Like I said I don't know if this is true or not since I can only judge on what I see on broadcasts, what's the in-game experience like?

[wardly]

2 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

I know this isn't the most important topic, but I was curious as to what others thought. I live across the country so I can't attend games unfortunately, but from watching it on TV is it just me or has the band declined in quality in the last few years? When the camera shows them they look undisciplined/inattentive, some are just wandering around chatting. I see other bands together and ready to play as soon as a play is over. The size seems to have ballooned and now sprawls across 2 sections of the stands, and despite that they sound worse.

The director also doesn't seem to know that the purpose of the band is to hype up the team/crowd, and put pressure on the opposing team on 3rd downs. Play something intimidating on 3rd down! When they do play it seems like they just have a bank of songs they go through in order without considering the situation on the field. The selection of music is bad, and it doesn't seem like they have any variety of songs to connect with the crowd, many bands will play classic and modern hits to get the crowd into things.

Like I said I don't know if this is true or not since I can only judge on what I see on broadcasts, what's the in-game experience like?

We just want a football team that our band can be proud of.

[Green Otaku]

37 minutes ago, wardly said:

We just want a football team that our band can be proud of.

This didn't answer any of my questions.

[jredallas]

I personally think that the playing music over the PA at times when the band would typically be playing has negatively impacted the cadence for when and how the band plays during the games.  I don't want to be all old man about it, but if I want to listen to the stuff that is played on the PA system (majority of which I actually do like), I have about 10 different devices I can play that on myself.  When I go to a college football game, I want to hear the friggin' band play during timeouts and between plays, when appropriate.  It's college football, not an NBA game.  When I look back at attending games at Fouts as a student in the 90s', I absolutely remember the band playing, and I enjoyed it then just as I do now.  If they were playing other music, maybe they were, but I would have no memory of that whatsoever.

Additionally, I know there has been some other negative thoughts about the band overall, and not that I have been in band since I played trumpet as a sophomore in high school so I am no expert, but I was absolutely blown away by the halftime performance this week.  I know majority of it was a rehash of other bits and pieces that had already been done this year, but damn that was a strong close. 

 

Edited Monday at 11:43 PM by jredallas

[wardly]

2 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

This didn't answer any of my questions.

I know. My grandson plays in high school band and we went to game Saturday. He though though the band was great but he's only 14.

[Green Otaku]

2 hours ago, jredallas said:

I personally think that the playing music over the PA at times when the band would typically be playing has negatively impacted the cadence for when and how the band plays during the games.  I don't want to be all old man about it, but if I want to listen to the stuff that is played on the PA system (majority of which I actually do like), I have about 10 different devices I can play that on myself.  When I go to a college football game, I want to hear the friggin' band play during timeouts and between plays, when appropriate.  It's college football, not an NBA game.  When I look back at attending games at Fouts as a student in the 90s', I absolutely remember the band playing, and I enjoyed it then just as I do now.  If they were playing other music, maybe they were, but I would have no memory of that whatsoever.

Additionally, I know there has been some other negative thoughts about the band overall, and not that I have been in band since I played trumpet as a sophomore in high school so I am no expert, but I was absolutely blown away by the halftime performance this week.  I know majority of it was a rehash of other bits and pieces that had already been done this year, but damn that was a strong close. 

 

There have been lots of people commenting on the band and PA stepping on each other's toes. It seems like it would be good if they could work something out.

Edited Tuesday at 02:10 AM by Green Otaku

[NM Green]

The biggest thing is coordination. There are moments when the band can influence. At kickoffs on 2nd down on 3rd down. I’m talking constant playing. to hell with the music on the board. You do you. 3 major rituals needed in ‘25:

1. 3rd down pound. They already play this but sometimes on first sometimes on second sometimes when the other team has the ball it fees like. No consistency.

2. 3rd quarter to 4th quarter transition. See BYU football and basketball at a point in the second half. 

3. Go Mean Green banner unfurl including shake down. Needs to be coordinated with band. Let’s do this in section 105 and 106 - more reliable attendance every game. We don’t need the students to figure out how to make this happen. Get the infantry to organize it. Where do I send money for the banner. 

I still want a standing section with railings only. but now I’m just being greedy. 

Make ‘25 MG football exciting again. But first we bowl. You know what to do Mean Green! 

GMG

 

[DeepGreen]

I attended the Army game and would give the band a C+ in performance. They looked uninspired.  First time I’ve seen that from the Green Brigade.  But to be fair I only make one game a year.

[greenjoe]

I think it odd that our banner dancers (as opposed to the North Texas Dancers) twirl (replica) rifles.  I could see such a thing from a school with a military background like A&M or The Citadel or Virginia Tech.  But what possible sense does it make for our band to use rifles.  Why not twirl, maybe, batons.  

[NM Green]

I would personally build the pageantry scene like an SEC school. Put some beauties in the stands with Poms or something. TCU has the dancers in boots. Every SEC team has a gorgeous squad in the band section. I know we are a hate the norm school but surely you could find 10 stand dancers to participate for 7 games next season. Right? We are North Texas. Hello.

GMG

[DentonLurker]

I’ve mentioned it before and I’m not dissing anyone’s musical talent, but our band is just kind of boring. At places where the band is more prominent than DATCU, there’s usually a reason. The band adds an element of entertainment. Our band plays a lot of “traditional band music” instead of stuff today’s fan is going to find fun.

[MeanGreenZen]

I’m not a band expert, but I think the band is great. I especially like how many of them there are. Makes the stadium look better and their family and friends provide great support and attendance. Let’s grow the band even more!

[THOR]

high school band director was a mistake.  band has regressed.  drumline is abysmal, no confidence, no arrogance, no true talent.   last 2 years the drumline has been the worst since the 80s.  need to drop that best damn band in the land and best drumline in college football....not even close to being true.

Edited Tuesday at 01:46 PM by THOR

[keith]

Before adding my thoughts, I have some questions about the band that maybe current or former band members or someone in the know can answer.

1.  Who gets to be in the band?  Is it an open try out or only available to students in the school of music?  Is there a try out at all?

2.  Do band members have to pay for (or rent) their uniforms or are they provided by the school?  

3.  Do they play their own personal instruments or are these provided by the school?

4.  Where does any funding required for the band come from (Athletic Department, School of Music, somewhere else)? 

5.  Do band members receive any credits (elective or otherwise) for being in the band of it is purely voluntary? 

6.  What (if any) is the relationship between the Green Brigade and the pep band that plays at basketball games?

[MeanGreen17]

10 minutes ago, keith said:

Before adding my thoughts, I have some questions about the band that maybe current or former band members or someone in the know can answer.

1.  Who gets to be in the band?  Is it an open try out or only available to students in the school of music?  Is there a try out at all?

2.  Do band members have to pay for (or rent) their uniforms or are they provided by the school?  

3.  Do they play their own personal instruments or are these provided by the school?

4.  Where does any funding required for the band come from (Athletic Department, School of Music, somewhere else)? 

5.  Do band members receive any credits (elective or otherwise) for being in the band of it is purely voluntary? 

6.  What (if any) is the relationship between the Green Brigade and the pep band that plays at basketball games?

1.  Anyone. There is a tryout. 
 

2.  No. It is provided by the school. The summer uniform/clothes under the uniform are paid for by the students. 

 

3.  Both. Most play on their own instrument. Marching instruments such as the sousaphones, marching baritones, mellophones and drumline are provided by the school.

 

4.  Both. To my understanding. 
 

5.  1 credit 😡

 

6.  Most GB members make up the pep groups but that’s not always the case.

 

*This might be outdated info. Sorry if anyone has other intel.

[Rudy]

11 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

There have been lots of people commenting on the band and PA stepping on each other's toes. It seems like it would be good if they could work something out.

If ONLY there was someone whose job it was to correct that....if only....

 

The band hasn't been interested in the team for a while.  They are more concerned with their own performances and "traditions" ie, playing "Hey Baby" at the start of the 4th to lull everyone to sleep, when they should be hyping the stadium up.  No pageantry on entering the field, and I think that at the conclusion of their performance this past saturday, they just stopped playing and walked off the field.

[greenjoe]

I understand students from TWU are able to try out/play in the Green Brigade.

”Hey Baby” should only be played if we’re leading 21-0.  Wait !!

 

[SilverEagle]

1 hour ago, greenjoe said:

I understand students from TWU are able to try out/play in the Green Brigade.

 

 

Thats fantastic. They should have their own unique uni's with their school colors. Or at least have some sort of insignia on their NT uniforms.

I have written MANY TIMES to the school of music expressing my concerns about the Green Brigade. Daniel Cook actually ask me to watch a practice where they debuted the North Texas fanfare. Something that he either composed himself or had someone in the school of music compose. Daniel (Dr?) Cook inherited a pretty crappy version of the Green Brigade. The most significant change he made was the fanfare. The rest is CRAP.  The Band is unwieldy and bloated, and the best word (besides crap) to describe the pre-game show is "perfunctory". They just go through the (musical) motions. At the Army game, as the Band was at mid-field playing the fight song I stood up and did the traditional clapping along with the band, but I kept yelling "TEMPO! TEMPO! GET THE DAMN TEMPO UP! Get to the middle of the field with energy and forgodsakes STOP PLAYING THE "AMERICAN EMBLEM MARCH". That is Junior High stuff.
 

THIS is what a College Band looks like......or is SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE. This is the closest thing to what the North Texas Band used to look like in the 60's-early 70's, under the late, great Maurice McAdow........only the McAdow Bands played better than these guys. But everything else (including the Uniforms) were pretty much the same.

 

So I ask, do they have more talented musicians than us? Do they have more pride than us? 

I'm interested in hearing from "letsgiveacheer" about this. 

Edited Tuesday at 04:57 PM by SilverEagle

[greenjoe]

That’s very impressive.  Let’s NIL their director.

[untcampbell]

I'm not sure if its less quality or a coaching issue.

I think they play to the level of the team they support.

That said (and I know it didn't add a thing to the discussion), they make up about half of the student side attendance. I think we're gonna need a bigger band.

 

GMG

[wardly]

14 hours ago, greenjoe said:

I think it odd that our banner dancers (as opposed to the North Texas Dancers) twirl (replica) rifles.  I could see such a thing from a school with a military background like A&M or The Citadel or Virginia Tech.  But what possible sense does it make for our band to use rifles.  Why not twirl, maybe, batons.  

My grandson is in a high school band so I have been to his games this year plus UIL competition. Surprisingly a number of bands twirl replica rifles including his.I could never get a reason why.

[greenminer]

3 hours ago, MeanGreen17 said:

5.  1 credit 😡

I'll elaborate on this, in case anyone glosses over:

A commitment to the GB is a commitment to a ton: summer/preseason camp (HUGE commitment), 3-4 rehearsals every week during the semester, plus giving up all of your gamedays,  plus additional performances for local events like marching band festivals/competitions/showcases.

The amount of time put into this "class" to only get 1 credit for your 4.0 grade is wild.  I remember a Q&A session with an admin (school dean?) where some GB members really pressed him about this.

[tmjerm]

Yeah I feel there’s been a huge decline.  Super lame and not staying on topic in the games.  Play LOUDER too.  

[Green Otaku]

4 hours ago, wardly said:

My grandson is in a high school band so I have been to his games this year plus UIL competition. Surprisingly a number of bands twirl replica rifles including his.I could never get a reason why.

It might be song selection. Baton twirling is graceful and artistic, while riffles are about precision and power. If you are playing an intense song it might not fit do baton. The skills themselves might also be different enough to let people choose which one they do, and go with that.

[Green Otaku]

6 hours ago, SilverEagle said:

Thats fantastic. They should have their own unique uni's with their school colors. Or at least have some sort of insignia on their NT uniforms.

I have written MANY TIMES to the school of music expressing my concerns about the Green Brigade. Daniel Cook actually ask me to watch a practice where they debuted the North Texas fanfare. Something that he either composed himself or had someone in the school of music compose. Daniel (Dr?) Cook inherited a pretty crappy version of the Green Brigade. The most significant change he made was the fanfare. The rest is CRAP.  The Band is unwieldy and bloated, and the best word (besides crap) to describe the pre-game show is "perfunctory". They just go through the (musical) motions. At the Army game, as the Band was at mid-field playing the fight song I stood up and did the traditional clapping along with the band, but I kept yelling "TEMPO! TEMPO! GET THE DAMN TEMPO UP! Get to the middle of the field with energy and forgodsakes STOP PLAYING THE "AMERICAN EMBLEM MARCH". That is Junior High stuff.
 

THIS is what a College Band looks like......or is SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE. This is the closest thing to what the North Texas Band used to look like in the 60's-early 70's, under the late, great Maurice McAdow........only the McAdow Bands played better than these guys. But everything else (including the Uniforms) were pretty much the same.

 

So I ask, do they have more talented musicians than us? Do they have more pride than us? 

I'm interested in hearing from "letsgiveacheer" about this. 

The ironic part is we are known as a "Music School" so you would think we'd have a similar set up as either Ohio band. A band with a marching pedigree that went back decades.