The Band

Green Otaku · 2024-11-25T19:03:43Z

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 · 2024-11-25T21:58:22Z

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 · 2024-11-25T22:35:53Z

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 · 2024-11-25T23:42:47Z

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 16 hours ago by jredallas

wardly · 2024-11-26T01:12:49Z

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 · 2024-11-26T02:09:26Z

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 14 hours ago by Green Otaku

NM Green · 2024-11-26T02:41:22Z

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 · 2024-11-26T03:28:26Z

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 · 2024-11-26T04:04:09Z

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 · 2024-11-26T04:08:14Z

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 · 2024-11-26T04:25:54Z

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 · 2024-11-26T05:09:03Z

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 · 2024-11-26T13:45:39Z

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 2 hours ago by THOR

keith · 2024-11-26T14:19:35Z

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 · 2024-11-26T14:35:54Z

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 · 2024-11-26T15:27:53Z

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.