WMU has a band.
WMU has a v-e-r-y good band.
Let the band play.
Encourage the band to play more!
Drop the canned, piped-in music.
This is a football game, not a "rave" party.
Here are the lyrics of the song "Purple Lamborghini" that was regularly played before each WMU kick-off:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpDcE8zm7R8
Is that what WMU represents?
And even if the lyrics were fine, why play canned music when the band is fully capable of playing "pump-up" music.
And as much as I like the catchy "Chelsea Dagger" song, it has no business being played after WMU touchdowns. Leave that for the Bronco Fight Song, thank you.
This is not just a WMU issue. Colleges - and even high schools - are doing this across the nation.
Let the bands play!
Thank you!
Agree 100%.
But since he controls every aspect of program, must be a Fleck thing.
Will have to convince him first - unlikely.
Our band director apparently has as little pull with ADministration as does Baseball coach.
If the DJ, piped in music, and other new "traditions" were intended to relate to students-get them more involved with program, don't seem to be working - student attendance appears same as before and they're still leaving at halftime in significant numbers.
(09-12-2016 09:30 AM)MajorHoople Wrote: [ -> ]Agree 100%.
But since he controls every aspect of program, must be a Fleck thing.
Will have to convince him first - unlikely.
Our band director apparently has as little pull with ADministration as does Baseball coach.
If the DJ, piped in music, and other new "traditions" were intended to relate to students-get them more involved with program, don't seem to be working - student attendance appears same as before and they're still leaving at halftime in significant numbers.
I no not understand the appeal.
If WMU did not have a band, I would understand.
But WMU does have a band....
Let the band play!
I'm with you there. I was in marching band in HS, have known a lot of people in Bronco Marching Band. I love our band. They're great, and one of the best in the MAC. I remember watching them playing @UofM and @ND and they went toe-to-toe with the opposing bands.
Marching band is part of the culture of HS/college football. It's a time-honored tradition.
I can understand playing tunes over the speakers while the band is moving to and from the field and such, but the band shouldn't have to fight for playing time.
I prefer the BMB too, but this issue has been debated a few times before. Actually the canned music started before Fleck. I think Fleck may have changed what music is played, but I think that changes every year anyway.
They are doing this at most schools now. To me, the reason college football is soooo much better than NFL (and it is way better than NFL) is because of the tradition, school spirit, and college atmosphere in general. The marching band is such a huge part of all of that. And we truly have one of the best bands around. I live for the Bronco pregame. Makes me tingle still when band plays the Alma Mater.
Hate to continuously bore my Bronco brethren with West Point experiences visiting my cadet son (oh, who am I kidding. I love bragging and boring you all with the West Point stuff), but I attended my first Army home game at Michie Stadium, and it was amazing. The traditions there are of course different, but it still has a tremendous college football feel, just with added stuff. There is a morning parade of two cadet regiments on the Plain (my son was in that this week), and then another regiment marches in the stadium. The parachute team jumps onto the plain, and into the stadium, with helicopters coming in and taking a bow (very cool). One drawback is that the West Point band is a professional band, and although it is world renowned and excellent, it is relatively small, and doesn't have the college marching band volume. I prefer the BMB in that department. There is fantastic tailgating, and the surrounding beauty around the stadium is breathtaking. It is well worth doing if you ever have the chance to attend a home Army game.
Back on the original issue, I vote for the Band being way more involved in Bronco Football!
The BMB hasn't played a new pump up song since Sports Center first came on the air. That said, I agree with most everything said here.
I would agree with this if the band expanded and updated their playlist. I've heard that has to do with money, but not really sure. At any rate they got extremely repetitive.
Pumped in music is something many schools are doing now. I think it's a way of trying to get more people and specifically younger people/students to games.
I'm okay with it and actually prefer a change from the WMU/KVCC band playing nonstop. If Fleck brought in the DJ, maybe he can also convince the admin to move the band to the end zone seats where they belong.
(09-12-2016 03:01 PM)Flashboski Wrote: [ -> ]Pumped in music is something many schools are doing now. I think it's a way of trying to get more people and specifically younger people/students to games.
I'm okay with it and actually prefer a change from the WMU/KVCC band playing nonstop. If Fleck brought in the DJ, maybe he can also convince the admin to move the band to the end zone seats where they belong.
I STILL don't get them getting prime seats like that. Watched BYU vs Utah, the band was way up and back in the end zone, where they belong.
When wmu runs into the problem of not having enough good seats to accommodate the masses, then I will join the push to move the band elsewhere. But as it is, and has been forever, we don't even fill the student section, and I see no harm in allowing some of the most spirited and committed students at the school sit in that section. They stay involved in the game, and remain at the stadium until the end of the game. Frankly, when we are on tv it is that side of the field that is the backdrop for the game, and it can be embarrassing when the stands look empty, so the band does us a service there.
The reason the big football schools put the band and the students in the less desirable seats is because they want to keep the more desirable and expensive seats to sell. It is, after all, "college" football. The schools team. The students ought to be the focus.
(09-12-2016 06:07 PM)brovol Wrote: [ -> ]I see no harm in allowing some of the most spirited and committed students at the school sit in that section.
Unfortunately this isn't 100% true for the KVCC/WMU band.
#movetheband
(09-12-2016 06:19 PM)Flashboski Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2016 06:07 PM)brovol Wrote: [ -> ]I see no harm in allowing some of the most spirited and committed students at the school sit in that section.
Unfortunately this isn't 100% true for the KVCC/WMU band.
#movetheband
Regardless.....
Fine, leave the band in the middle of the stands but can't you compress them a little bit?! Jesus christ, they each stand like 5 feet apart. Make them sit closer to each other and get to know each other a little bitter. Bet we could open up a bunch of seats!
On second thought, no. Put the band in the corner in the "visitor" section. Perfect spot for them.
(09-12-2016 06:19 PM)Flashboski Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2016 06:07 PM)brovol Wrote: [ -> ]I see no harm in allowing some of the most spirited and committed students at the school sit in that section.
Unfortunately this isn't 100% true for the KVCC/WMU band.
#movetheband
I agree, it's silly.
#movetheband
I'll also say we draw as good or better than many other MAC schools and I can't think of one that puts their band at the 50. WMU would easily sell those tickets. I would prefer sitting there over the other side any day of the week. You get yelled at over on the other side for standing and cheering during big plays. It's a joke.
(09-12-2016 06:27 PM)Nacho Wrote: [ -> ]Fine, leave the band in the middle of the stands but can't you compress them a little bit?! Jesus christ, they each stand like 5 feet apart. Make them sit closer to each other and get to know each other a little bitter. Bet we could open up a bunch of seats!
On second thought, no. Put the band in the corner in the "visitor" section. Perfect spot for them.
(09-12-2016 06:19 PM)Flashboski Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2016 06:07 PM)brovol Wrote: [ -> ]I see no harm in allowing some of the most spirited and committed students at the school sit in that section.
Unfortunately this isn't 100% true for the KVCC/WMU band.
#movetheband
Hey, another BI id making it's way over here, but it can't be persrod this time because he's not all pro fleck and the band!!
Google Image search "Waldo Stadium". Nearly all of the photos are showing the other side of the stadium! The school must be embarrassed by the placement of the band (or maybe its the student section they are embarrassed about) Time to move. This winning season with PJ at the helm will #MakeWaldoGreatAgain!