The Band

[Matt]

5 hours ago, greenminer said:

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.

This isn’t limited to North Texas. I started out at UTA doing music education and there were several required “classes” that rewarded 1 credit hour. It’s super frustrating and part of why I got out of music. 

[97and03]

[UNT78]

Worst “marching band” I’ve ever heard…listen to Alabama, Auburn, A&M or Tennessee, those are real marching bands. UNT sounds like show tunes on a high school field!

[THOR]

18 minutes ago, UNT78 said:

Worst “marching band” I’ve ever heard…listen to Alabama, Auburn, A&M or Tennessee, those are real marching bands. UNT sounds like show tunes on a high school field!

sadly, you are correct.  the green brigade doesn't hold a fiddle to those bands.  drumlines....ha...even worse

 

those schools dress in uniform every game.  those schools are in sync, in line, prepared, close to perfect.   those schools know what a marching band is.  know their music perfectly.  north Texas seems to be like a school that thinks they are better than everyone else so they don't have to try as much...yet they suck musically, drumline...look at the band, most are looking at music...not memorized.  memorization is needed in a band.  hell, the drumline has music taped to their snares/quints...pathetic.

Edited Wednesday at 01:50 AM by THOR

[NTXDJ]

On 11/25/2024 at 10:04 PM, 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.  

The first time I noticed our half time show having the rifle twirlers, I was really surprised.  Maybe I'm out of touch because I don't go to a lot of college or HS games anymore, but I associate (fake) rifle twirling with high school bands.  I remember some high schools introducing that back in the 80's.  I don't recall noticing it with any of the larger college half time shows, but I could be wrong.  High school bands usually have a flag corp, or color guard, but I've seen plenty of college marching bands with those as well. 

[Green Otaku]

20 hours ago, THOR said:

sadly, you are correct.  the green brigade doesn't hold a fiddle to those bands.  drumlines....ha...even worse

 

those schools dress in uniform every game.  those schools are in sync, in line, prepared, close to perfect.   those schools know what a marching band is.  know their music perfectly.  north Texas seems to be like a school that thinks they are better than everyone else so they don't have to try as much...yet they suck musically, drumline...look at the band, most are looking at music...not memorized.  memorization is needed in a band.  hell, the drumline has music taped to their snares/quints...pathetic.

What's up with not wearing the coats in the stands all year?

[THOR]

2 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

What's up with not wearing the coats in the stands all year?

that's a damn good question.  there was 1 hot game, game 2 of the year, yet they arent in full uniform all year.  back in the day, full uniform was demanded all game, except for the third quarter when we got to take off the jacket...

[Glory to the Green]

Our oldest is in the Oklahoma State band. They seem to focus on the entertainment more than anything else. The last halftime show had them playing “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC.  

Their pregame is just the fight song, Oklahoma, and a stand tune.  Then they wait around while special guests lead the in game chants.  In game playing is fun. They play iron man, dies irae, stuff like that. 

They play off the DJ better than we do.  There’s usually no playing over eachother, though it does happen. 

The quality is fine.  They have a new director.  Last years quality was lacking. 

[yyz28]

I think the band is fantastic. The show was amazing this year, the band was loud in the stands and I thought the pregame was fantastic.

I wonder how many complaining have donated to the Brigade or contributed to the program.

The drum line is clean, the horns are loud. 

There were some coordination issues with the press box/dj’s this year, but I know the time these kids put into band. It’s massive. 

I’m a proud alumni of the Green Brigade, and I’m proud of how the band represents us old-timers today. 

Thank you, Green Brigade, for supporting the team and your school, and for the dedication you show week in and week out. 
 

[Matt]

Currently watching the Texas vs Texas A&M game and these bands are sounding great. I wish the Green Brigade sounded more like this in the stands. 

[yyz28]

10 minutes ago, Matt said:

Currently watching the Texas vs Texas A&M game and these bands are sounding great. I wish the Green Brigade sounded more like this in the stands. 

You do realize, of course, that for a banner primetime game like this, the bands miked, right?

Our band plays after every first down, they’re playing bits to disrupt the Opposing offense,  they have been wonderful in person this year!

[Matt]

4 minutes ago, yyz28 said:

You do realize, of course, that for a banner primetime game like this, the bands miked, right?

Our band plays after every first down, they’re playing bits to disrupt the Opposing offense,  they have been wonderful in person this year!

Yeah I'm sure they are mic'd up, but I didn't mention anything about the volume of those bands. I just personally think they have a great sound. The brass is better at sounding "as one" which is usually indicative of being more in-tune. Maybe they just play better tunes that showcase this, who knows. Just an opinion 🤷‍♂️

[THOR]

1 hour ago, yyz28 said:

I think the band is fantastic. The show was amazing this year, the band was loud in the stands and I thought the pregame was fantastic.

I wonder how many complaining have donated to the Brigade or contributed to the program.

The drum line is clean, the horns are loud. 

There were some coordination issues with the press box/dj’s this year, but I know the time these kids put into band. It’s massive. 

I’m a proud alumni of the Green Brigade, and I’m proud of how the band represents us old-timers today. 

Thank you, Green Brigade, for supporting the team and your school, and for the dedication you show week in and week out. 
 

the drumline is not clean, not even close.  the horns are loud...great...triple forte for the win!  that doesn't mean shit.  the band is far from fantastic, loudness doesn't mean anything when they cant march in formation, stay in step, stay on time.  the band is not good.

[yyz28]

5 minutes ago, THOR said:

the drumline is not clean, not even close.  the horns are loud...great...triple forte for the win!  that doesn't mean shit.  the band is far from fantastic, loudness doesn't mean anything when they cant march in formation, stay in step, stay on time.  the band is not good.

We must be watching different bands. The band is fantastic. Sorry you don’t enjoy them this season.

I’m sure you donated to the fundraiser for new horns promoted multiple times this season, since you’re so passionate about the band? 

[THOR]

9 minutes ago, yyz28 said:

We must be watching different bands. The band is fantastic. Sorry you don’t enjoy them this season.

I’m sure you donated to the fundraiser for new horns promoted multiple times this season, since you’re so passionate about the band? 

no, I havent, but glad you have since that seems to be a defining moment for you to think someone knows about the band if they donate.  donating to the band wont make them better.  we are watching different bands.  they are not good, neither is the drumline.  glad you enjoy them. they haven't been good for a couple of years, drumline the same

[yyz28]

8 minutes ago, THOR said:

no, I havent, but glad you have since that seems to be a defining moment for you to think someone knows about the band if they donate. 

Yeah, I never suggested that, but it does indicate one’s level of investment.

To each his own, I suppose.

Go Mean Green!

[THOR]

10 minutes ago, yyz28 said:

Yeah, I never suggested that, but it does indicate one’s level of investment.

To each his own, I suppose.

Go Mean Green!

dude, you mentioned it multiple times.  it is a call sign for you.  you donate, thus you know more than others, cool. money doesn't have to be invested to understand music/bands.  some may do it for a living and know, after all music education is a big thing at north Texas, others don't but think they do since they donated.  its all good man.

 

to each his own, I suppose

Edited 1 hour ago by THOR

[yyz28]

13 minutes ago, THOR said:

dude, you mentioned it multiple times.  it is a call sign for you.  you donate, thus you know more than others, cool. money doesn't have to be invested to understand music/bands.  some may do it for a living and know, after all music education is a big thing at north Texas, others don't but think they do since they donated.  its all good man.

 

to each his own, I suppose

If you do it for a living, then you know that financial contributions have an impact. I’m aware of our status as a music school. That’s part of why I came to UNT. Hence the reason I know a little something about it, beyond the money I simply donate.

Edited 52 minutes ago by yyz28

[THOR]

1 minute ago, yyz28 said:

If you do it for a living, then you know that financial contributions have an impact. I’m aware of our status as a music school. That’s part of why I came to UNT. Hence the reason I know a little something about it, beyond the money I simply donate.

financial contributions don't make the members march better, play better, drum better, sound better, stay in sync, have perfect releases, or have confidence in what they are doing....financial contributions buy new shit...new shit doesn't make the members better.  a true musician can play with anything, new or old, they are musicians and will be the best because they are the best and are confident in themselves.  the best is what north Texas should have in the band, not pretty good with some new horns and stuff.  the best is not what north Texas has anymore.  

[Udomann]

Former marching band member and alum with a music degree (and 2 business degrees), so I hope my input has some validity here...

The UNT music program has been on a downward spiral the last decade or so. The faculty and TAs are no where near what they were at their height. Lots of older professors have passed and moved on to those with multidisciplinary experience (i.e. jazz and classical)

There's a real difference between the current direction and staff from previous era, so criticism is deserved. And hopefully it encourages improvement.  It's not a bad program, still pretty good. But if you are looking for top tier music programs,  UNT isn't exactly there right now.

[yyz28]

Boy, you really need the last word on this, don’t ya? The 6A bands making state finals are the best funded. Period.

As someone in “the biz”, you know this.

Sufficed to say, this former member of this band is proud of how the current generation represents us and our school. It is quite clear you don’t. Your vote has been recorded. Your expert opinion fully delivered to all. Your foul language has made your point with intellect and class. Congrats.

Go Mean Green! Go Green Brigade!

Edited 38 minutes ago by yyz28

[THOR]

2 minutes ago, yyz28 said:

Boy, you really need the last word on this, don’t ya? The 6A bands making state finals are the best funded. Period.

As someone in “the biz”, you know this.

Sufficed to say, this former member of this band is proud of how the current generation represents us and our school. It is quite clear you don’t. Your vote has been recorded. Your expert opinion fully delivered to all. Your foul language has made your point with intellect and class. Congrats.

Go Mean Green! Go Green Brigade!

hahahahahaha....lets compare a high school band to NORTH TEXAS GREEN BRIGADE!!!!!  that is dumb and never should be in the same sentence again...would use a naughty word, but you don't like it.  yes, my use of the word shit says all you need to know about me.  

to each his own, I suppose....shit...