The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Some band updates from one of our contributing band members, Connor Gentry.

https://thedailydragon.com/2016/04/20/ev...hing-band/

Sue Samuels said they wanted to march 300 by the time football came back. I thought that was probably optimistic, but then I had a band director friend point something out to me that I hadn't considered.

He said losing football might have been a blessing in disguise for the band (remember, he's a band guy, not a football guy). He asked me how many high school exhibitions they typically played.

Two.

And how many did they play this year?

About six.

And how many more thousands of high school band kids across Alabama did they get in front of this year than last year?

Many.

And as objectively as I can possibly be as a proud alum and even more proud father of a Marching Blazer, they put on one hell of a show last year, and it did not go unnoticed among the high school kids.

(04-20-2016 07:42 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Sue Samuels said they wanted to march 300 by the time football came back. I thought that was probably optimistic, but then I had a band director friend point something out to me that I hadn't considered.

He said losing football might have been a blessing in disguise for the band (remember, he's a band guy, not a football guy). He asked me how many high school exhibitions they typically played.

Two.

And how many did they play this year?

About six.

And how many more thousands of high school band kids across Alabama did they get in front of this year than last year?

Many.

And as objectively as I can possibly be as a proud alum and even more proud father of a Marching Blazer, they put on one hell of a show last year, and it did not go unnoticed among the high school kids.

This. A thousand times this. People tend to forget that the best recruitment a marching band can do is a performance at a high grade competition or exhibition. The BOA performances in particular are great for recruitment. This is one way JSU's band has gotten so impressive - they do many, many more performances for the crowds where they can find recruits.

I really hope the Marching Blazers find a way to come back to metro Atlanta this year. There are about a gajillion top grade high school music programs around here that would be a great supplement to the existing recruiting approach.

Clark's praise and respect of the band is one of the biggest reason's I've admired him so much. He knows they are the blood that fuels the beating Blazer hearts.

Excited to see a Fambrough run show.

It will be interesting to see who is chosen as the next Director of Bands. If I had a doctorate degree, I would put my name in for the job.

I wonder what the timeline of hiring a new director will be?

I'll be pissed if Fambrough throws his name into the hat and doesn't get strongly considered.

(04-21-2016 10:05 AM)UABslant Wrote:  I wonder what the timeline of hiring a new director will be?

Gene Fambrough is basically on a one-year interim Director basis, giving a little bit of time for the process to take place.

Great Job Marching Blazers! It'll be great to see them back at the football games.