Much has been improved the past decade re: NIU campus, football team and facilities.

Unfortunately, The Marching Huskies have made little or no progress.

They aint all bad but there is so much more room for growth and improvement.

Will 2013 Marching Huskies likely be any better/ different in size, volume and program selection?

Members and NIU deserves better. Just find a way and like the opening video on huskies website claims: be proud. be niu

Perhaps the trip to Orange bowl will temporarily juice up membership. It gores me when Schaumburg HS band outnumbers and sounds louder than NIU on Band Day.

(04-13-2013 01:24 PM)niucyberdawg Wrote:  Much has been improved the past decade re: NIU campus, football team and facilities.:pbjtime:

Unfortunately, The Marching Huskies have made little or no progress.:banghead:

They aint all bad but there is so much more room for growth and improvement.

Will 2013 Marching Huskies likely be any better/ different in size, volume and program selection?

Members and NIU deserves better. Just find a way and like the opening video on huskies website claims: be proud. be niu

Perhaps the trip to Orange bowl will temporarily juice up membership. It gores me when Schaumburg HS band outnumbers and sounds louder than NIU on Band Day.

Agreed, Cybes. A great band with lots of sound and animation - and a good music selection - can really rev up the crowd. Witness Ohio's marching band.

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk 2

I haven't heard anything concrete either way but I truly doubt it will be much different than what it has been. As much as I would love to see the band take on an identity in the same vein as the 110, it just won't happen. Not enough respect within the music department to drive retention of a lot of the best players, non-inventive director that relies on the students to come up with anything involving newer music which is more difficult when the music majors don't stay in the band (on the whole).

Being a band alum it's frustrating because I was pushing for changes that would make HMB more unique and a fun group but it has always been met with restrictions. Do the members of the band want to move in a direction similar to that of the board wants, yes. Will it happen in the current regime, no.

(04-13-2013 02:24 PM)tubaguy21 Wrote:  I haven't heard anything concrete either way but I truly doubt it will be much different than what it has been. As much as I would love to see the band take on an identity in the same vein as the 110, it just won't happen. Not enough respect within the music department to drive retention of a lot of the best players, non-inventive director that relies on the students to come up with anything involving newer music which is more difficult when the music majors don't stay in the band (on the whole).

Being a band alum it's frustrating because I was pushing for changes that would make HMB more unique and a fun group but it has always been met with restrictions. Do the members of the band want to move in a direction similar to that of the board wants, yes. Will it happen in the current regime, no.

There has been SOME internal improvement in that there are now some scholarships for Huskie Band.
I don't want to see all of us badmouthing the band. We need to be supportive - Cybes - no matter what. Those students work their butts off. Game days are really really LONG days for them and they do their best.
I intend to cheer them on ALWAYS and I will be supportive. Once a band parent...always a band parent!

Cybes...I suggest you send a polite email to Dr. Thomas Bough (director) regarding your concerns. Posting the same thing on here does nothing...talk to the man in charge.

is participation in marching band mandatory for music majors at NIU? I know there are several other MAC schools that require it. Its a double edged sword, on the one hand it makes sense, music education majors should have experience in a style of band they are likely to teach, but on the down side mandatory participation means there will be people in the band who don't want to be there and will only give the minimum effort to pass the class. It's a conundrum.

(04-13-2013 03:29 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  is participation in marching band mandatory for music majors at NIU? I know there are several other MAC schools that require it. Its a double edged sword, on the one hand it makes sense, music education majors should have experience in a style of band they are likely to teach, but on the down side mandatory participation means there will be people in the band who don't want to be there and will only give the minimum effort to pass the class. It's a conundrum.

There is a one-semester requirement for Music Education Majors to do marching band. Music performance, history, theory, and composition majors are not required to take the course.

A lot of the reasons that our numbers are down are because we've got some of the best kids on campus. Sounds redundant, right? It's awesome for those kids, but many of them can only do the HMB for 1-2 years until their major areas of study take over.

Every spring (especially the last two with new scholarship money) we do a hard hard hard recruitment drive on students auditioning for the school of music and reach out to students who have expressed interest in the school itself. One of the problems is that, like recruiting, a LOT of our potential students end up at the Illness, IU, Iowa, Wisky, etc because of bigger, better, programs and opportunities.

As a leader of the band I promise you guys that we are doing everything we can to deliver what we can do you guys. The fact that there is a thread on this forum expressing concern for us (not malignantly) is awesome. It means a ton.

I know it's frustrating. It's frustrating for us too. I've been in the band four years (it works out...I'm a music major/drum corps guy). There are less than 5 other people who have been around as long as I have been.

I can't say that I'll take requests (because I can't) but we're trying to update the lit we play. We know all the old funk tunes are cool and all, but they get old. A lot of us (including myself) are making a push to play more modern music. Mostly because we want to entertain the student section and keep them around for more than a half of football.

We love the NIU family and NIU nation. You guys are all great to the team and equally great to us. We really really respect you all and try to put on the best show we can for you.

You guys rock. I've always loved lurking and checking out the forum and it's awesome to see you guys acknowledge us. Yeah. I got nothin' else.

I'm always around to answer questions though!

Beat Iowa.

(04-13-2013 05:07 PM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-13-2013 03:29 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  is participation in marching band mandatory for music majors at NIU? I know there are several other MAC schools that require it. Its a double edged sword, on the one hand it makes sense, music education majors should have experience in a style of band they are likely to teach, but on the down side mandatory participation means there will be people in the band who don't want to be there and will only give the minimum effort to pass the class. It's a conundrum.

There is a one-semester requirement for Music Education Majors to do marching band. Music performance, history, theory, and composition majors are not required to take the course.

A lot of the reasons that our numbers are down are because we've got some of the best kids on campus. Sounds redundant, right? It's awesome for those kids, but many of them can only do the HMB for 1-2 years until their major areas of study take over.

Every spring (especially the last two with new scholarship money) we do a hard hard hard recruitment drive on students auditioning for the school of music and reach out to students who have expressed interest in the school itself. One of the problems is that, like recruiting, a LOT of our potential students end up at the Illness, IU, Iowa, Wisky, etc because of bigger, better, programs and opportunities.

As a leader of the band I promise you guys that we are doing everything we can to deliver what we can do you guys. The fact that there is a thread on this forum expressing concern for us (not malignantly) is awesome. It means a ton.

I know it's frustrating. It's frustrating for us too. I've been in the band four years (it works out...I'm a music major/drum corps guy). There are less than 5 other people who have been around as long as I have been.

I can't say that I'll take requests (because I can't) but we're trying to update the lit we play. We know all the old funk tunes are cool and all, but they get old. A lot of us (including myself) are making a push to play more modern music. Mostly because we want to entertain the student section and keep them around for more than a half of football.

We love the NIU family and NIU nation. You guys are all great to the team and equally great to us. We really really respect you all and try to put on the best show we can for you.

You guys rock. I've always loved lurking and checking out the forum and it's awesome to see you guys acknowledge us. Yeah. I got nothin' else.

I'm always around to answer questions though!

Beat Iowa.

Thanks for the post. Most all of us love the band and the enthusiasm from you guys on game day. I especially love it when the small groups come over to the west side and play the fight song. Go Huskies! Go HMB!

(04-13-2013 05:07 PM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-13-2013 03:29 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  is participation in marching band mandatory for music majors at NIU? I know there are several other MAC schools that require it. Its a double edged sword, on the one hand it makes sense, music education majors should have experience in a style of band they are likely to teach, but on the down side mandatory participation means there will be people in the band who don't want to be there and will only give the minimum effort to pass the class. It's a conundrum.

There is a one-semester requirement for Music Education Majors to do marching band. Music performance, history, theory, and composition majors are not required to take the course.

A lot of the reasons that our numbers are down are because we've got some of the best kids on campus. Sounds redundant, right? It's awesome for those kids, but many of them can only do the HMB for 1-2 years until their major areas of study take over.

Every spring (especially the last two with new scholarship money) we do a hard hard hard recruitment drive on students auditioning for the school of music and reach out to students who have expressed interest in the school itself. One of the problems is that, like recruiting, a LOT of our potential students end up at the Illness, IU, Iowa, Wisky, etc because of bigger, better, programs and opportunities.

As a leader of the band I promise you guys that we are doing everything we can to deliver what we can do you guys. The fact that there is a thread on this forum expressing concern for us (not malignantly) is awesome. It means a ton.

I know it's frustrating. It's frustrating for us too. I've been in the band four years (it works out...I'm a music major/drum corps guy). There are less than 5 other people who have been around as long as I have been.

I can't say that I'll take requests (because I can't) but we're trying to update the lit we play. We know all the old funk tunes are cool and all, but they get old. A lot of us (including myself) are making a push to play more modern music. Mostly because we want to entertain the student section and keep them around for more than a half of football.

We love the NIU family and NIU nation. You guys are all great to the team and equally great to us. We really really respect you all and try to put on the best show we can for you.

You guys rock. I've always loved lurking and checking out the forum and it's awesome to see you guys acknowledge us. Yeah. I got nothin' else.

I'm always around to answer questions though!

Beat Iowa.

The effect of the Band is often underrrated.....

And I also support anyone's cause who ends a post with "Beat Iowa".

(04-13-2013 05:07 PM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-13-2013 03:29 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  is participation in marching band mandatory for music majors at NIU? I know there are several other MAC schools that require it. Its a double edged sword, on the one hand it makes sense, music education majors should have experience in a style of band they are likely to teach, but on the down side mandatory participation means there will be people in the band who don't want to be there and will only give the minimum effort to pass the class. It's a conundrum.

There is a one-semester requirement for Music Education Majors to do marching band. Music performance, history, theory, and composition majors are not required to take the course.

A lot of the reasons that our numbers are down are because we've got some of the best kids on campus. Sounds redundant, right? It's awesome for those kids, but many of them can only do the HMB for 1-2 years until their major areas of study take over.

Every spring (especially the last two with new scholarship money) we do a hard hard hard recruitment drive on students auditioning for the school of music and reach out to students who have expressed interest in the school itself. One of the problems is that, like recruiting, a LOT of our potential students end up at the Illness, IU, Iowa, Wisky, etc because of bigger, better, programs and opportunities.

As a leader of the band I promise you guys that we are doing everything we can to deliver what we can do you guys. The fact that there is a thread on this forum expressing concern for us (not malignantly) is awesome. It means a ton.

I know it's frustrating. It's frustrating for us too. I've been in the band four years (it works out...I'm a music major/drum corps guy). There are less than 5 other people who have been around as long as I have been.

I can't say that I'll take requests (because I can't) but we're trying to update the lit we play. We know all the old funk tunes are cool and all, but they get old. A lot of us (including myself) are making a push to play more modern music. Mostly because we want to entertain the student section and keep them around for more than a half of football.

We love the NIU family and NIU nation. You guys are all great to the team and equally great to us. We really really respect you all and try to put on the best show we can for you.

You guys rock. I've always loved lurking and checking out the forum and it's awesome to see you guys acknowledge us. Yeah. I got nothin' else.

I'm always around to answer questions though!

Beat Iowa.

that's tough, I'm guessing with the 1 and done requirement for mus ed majors it can be a challenge to build consistent student leadership, etc. Most people don't realize how big of a commitment marching band really is, it's like playing a varsity sport.

I wasn't in the band at ohio but had a lot of friends that were and the time commitment was incredible.

If I based my season ticket purchase on the band, I would burn mine and tell NIU to go f themselves if I ever heard the funk show again. Luckily, JL6 happens and NIU will continue to get my money.

(04-14-2013 12:09 AM)perimeterpost Wrote:  that's tough, I'm guessing with the 1 and done requirement for mus ed majors it can be a challenge to build consistent student leadership, etc. Most people don't realize how big of a commitment marching band really is, it's like playing a varsity sport.

I wasn't in the band at ohio but had a lot of friends that were and the time commitment was incredible.

Yeah, there's a pretty large time commitment for the band. Along with that the music majors who would be considering doing it for 2+ years are actually kept out because of all of the new degree requirements that the state of Illinois is requiring for education majors across the board. It makes it really hard to retain.

If I had been a student that came in during 2011 forward I would have a very hard time justifying the time commitment because there are 1-2 classes or outside chores added almost every year. And I'm a diehard band-guy. (Ask Eddiemoney or whatever his name on here is ) It's a bit ridiculous.

We've recently stumbled on very small amounts of cash here and there that we offer to some of our better veterans, but that money is few and far between when we find it.

And don't worry BleedsHuskieRed, no funk shows this year.

(04-14-2013 12:50 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  If I based my season ticket purchase on the band, I would burn mine and tell NIU to go f themselves if I ever heard the funk show again. Luckily, JL6 happens and NIU will continue to get my money.

I would have never gone to a game again after the Rocky Horror Picture Show against Toledo in 04.

(04-14-2013 02:29 PM)7 Wrote:  I would have never gone to a game again after the Rocky Horror Picture Show against Toledo in 04.

...yikes. I was in my freshman year of HS...

(04-14-2013 12:50 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  If I based my season ticket purchase on the band, I would burn mine and tell NIU to go f themselves if I ever heard the funk show again. Luckily, JL6 happens and NIU will continue to get my money.

Jeez Bleeds, that seems kind of harsh... yikes.

(04-14-2013 04:08 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 12:50 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  If I based my season ticket purchase on the band, I would burn mine and tell NIU to go f themselves if I ever heard the funk show again. Luckily, JL6 happens and NIU will continue to get my money.

Jeez Bleeds, that seems kind of harsh... yikes.

They have been playing the same thing for almost 7 years, time for something new. They need to get creative if they want anyone to care what they are doing during halftime or donate money to the band, and doing the same show that debuted during the 2006 season is not a solid way of getting that done.

(04-14-2013 04:29 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 04:08 PM)HuskieFootball Addict Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 12:50 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  If I based my season ticket purchase on the band, I would burn mine and tell NIU to go f themselves if I ever heard the funk show again. Luckily, JL6 happens and NIU will continue to get my money.

Jeez Bleeds, that seems kind of harsh... yikes.

They have been playing the same thing for almost 7 years, time for something new. They need to get creative if they want anyone to care what they are doing during halftime or donate money to the band, and doing the same show that debuted during the 2006 season is not a solid way of getting that done.

Actually some of the sets are more like 10-13+ seasons old.

I remember a few of them when I was a student during the 99-04 seasons.



My kids love the HMB so I am appreciating them more.

(04-14-2013 02:32 PM)zdsmith Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 02:29 PM)7 Wrote:  I would have never gone to a game again after the Rocky Horror Picture Show against Toledo in 04.

...yikes. I was in my freshman year of HS...

That was the last show of my freshman year at NIU. Had an I can't believe how badly this is about to go thought going into it and sadly was right.

I just wanted to clarify that I'm not against the students AT ALL. The students do what they can with the schedules they have and the music/drill that is given to them. Having been in the band for 4 years and getting Marcher of the Year before, I understand the hardships that come with being in the band, which is why I feel strongly about the issues that are there because they are out of the hands of the band members that are making the commitment.

I liked the show that had Thriller in it. That was fun to see all the band zombies...

I personally appreciate everything the Huskie Band does. I am well aware that they do not get to choose their own music or write their own drills. I love their enthusiam and I love to watch them in the stands because I know they're having fun while they're there supporting the team.