Very excited for Chad and only wish him the best down the road in the other 'Burg. He is an outstanding addition to their music and Band programs. Great news to start my day.

frustrating that everything cool we have we send down 81 to virginia tech.

Our two National Championships are pretty damn cool.

(08-15-2017 07:24 AM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  frustrating that everything cool we have we send down 81 to virginia tech.

It's probably karma because of that one guy who said he'd get a Duke Dog tattoo on his bum if we beat Tech and then we did and he didn't.

(08-15-2017 07:47 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  Our two National Championships are pretty damn cool.

So is Megan Good. And, Mike Houston. Bryan Schor and Aaron Stinnie are pretty cool too. Come to think of it, so is a home fall Saturday tailgating before heading into Bridgeforth Stadium. The VolleyDukes about to start defending their CAA title is kinda cool as well. And, I am pretty confident the JMU Pep Band will once again own the Convo this winter.

Bold prediction, except you forget that nobody in the music program cares about JMU's athletic bands. If the convocation center were a concert hall, our music educators might actually go over to that building from time to time. I am almost sure that a grad student will be running JMU's pep band - so hopefully someone with some high energy comes in and takes over, otherwise we'll look like UVA's boring band and their douche director

(08-15-2017 08:25 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Bold prediction, except you forget that nobody in the music program cares about JMU's athletic bands. If the convocation center were a concert hall, our music educators might actually go over to that building from time to time. I am almost sure that a grad student will be running JMU's pep band - so hopefully someone with some high energy comes in and takes over, otherwise we'll look like UVA's boring band and their douche director

Hate to break it to you, but grad students running the pep band isn't a new thing. Also putting a music educator at the front of the ensemble doesn't automatically make the pep band cool or better. There were plenty of years where we had a teacher up front and we played the same boring tunes over and over. Why? Because that's what they always did. Many of the grad students actually listened and played different tunes. The best arrangements weren't done by the teachers, they were done by the members and the grad students.
What makes the pep band so great? The members. JMU Music school is not a JMU School of Music ensemble and never has been. IMO, putting them in charge would ruin that group. The pep band is fun. It isn't a group that is about being technically flawless. The fun taken out of the band was always connected to the administration. Regardless of things taken away from the group, it has always moved forward. It has always been great.
The group that keeps the pep band moving is the MRD's. As long as the marching band exists, the pep band exists. As long as the MRD's continue to be great, the pep band will continue to be great.
Stop acting like the sky is falling, because it isn't. Chad getting canned sucked, but he wasn't the pep band.

(08-15-2017 08:25 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Bold prediction, except you forget that nobody in the music program cares about JMU's athletic bands. If the convocation center were a concert hall, our music educators might actually go over to that building from time to time. I am almost sure that a grad student will be running JMU's pep band - so hopefully someone with some high energy comes in and takes over, otherwise we'll look like UVA's boring band and their douche director

A partially fair statement, and the boldfaced part of your statement explains the reason why.

They are "athletic bands"...not a primary function of the School of Music as seen by the music faculty.

Way-back-when a deal between the SOM and Carrier was struck. Carrier wanted a marching band for FB. The SOM wanted funding for an orchestra (and other ensemble groups). Both sides got what they wanted, however, the athletic bands (as expected) have come to overshadow the functions of a fine SOM that serves approximately 400 undergrad majors and a solid graduate program that offers both an MA and DMA.

This creates a natural tension that inhabits almost every school in the country that supports athletics and a good music program.

I don't have the exact figures, but most of the students participating in the MRDs (and JMU pep band) are not music majors, but the public thinks the music program "is" the athletic bands. This is not unusual, as the same could be said at other universities with noted marching bands.

I hope you're right about the energy brought to the pep band, but there is nothing wrong with graduate student leadership...if it's the right grad under the careful supervision of the faculty. It's apparently going to be made more a part of the Music Ed program, which has an excellent rep.

(08-15-2017 09:24 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  I don't have the exact figures, but most of the students participating in the MRDs (and JMU pep band) are not music majors, but the public thinks the music program "is" the athletic bands. This is not unusual, as the same could be said at other universities with noted marching bands.

I'm not sure how it is now, but music majors (possibly education only) used to be required to be a part of the MRD's for two years. That being said, it would be almost impossible for the MRD's to consist mostly of music majors. There just isn't enough accepted into the program to fill the membership. Not to mention many of the professors weren't huge fans of the MRDs, mostly due to the impact it could have on a musicians technique.
As good as the MRD's are, there is a lot the execution that would not be acceptable for a music student in a concert setting. The members are there to perform, but mostly to have fun. You would be surprised how much better they could be if they all really tried to be their best, but that's not what college marching band is about.

(08-15-2017 09:39 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(08-15-2017 09:24 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  I don't have the exact figures, but most of the students participating in the MRDs (and JMU pep band) are not music majors, but the public thinks the music program "is" the athletic bands. This is not unusual, as the same could be said at other universities with noted marching bands.

I'm not sure how it is now, but music majors (possibly education only) used to be required to be a part of the MRD's for two years. That being said, it would be almost impossible for the MRD's to consist mostly of music majors. There just isn't enough accepted into the program to fill the membership. Not to mention many of the professors weren't huge fans of the MRDs, mostly due to the impact it could have on a musicians technique.
As good as the MRD's are, there is a lot the execution that would not be acceptable for a music student in a concert setting. The members are there to perform, but mostly to have fun. You would be surprised how much better they could be if they all really tried to be their best, but that's not what college marching band is about.

That might still be the rule (the two-year MRD duty). I know at other schools they have similar rules. Texas Tech required music students to serve one year in their marching band. I would guess it depends on the size of the music program and university.

(08-15-2017 09:06 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(08-15-2017 08:25 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Bold prediction, except you forget that nobody in the music program cares about JMU's athletic bands. If the convocation center were a concert hall, our music educators might actually go over to that building from time to time. I am almost sure that a grad student will be running JMU's pep band - so hopefully someone with some high energy comes in and takes over, otherwise we'll look like UVA's boring band and their douche director

Hate to break it to you, but grad students running the pep band isn't a new thing. Also putting a music educator at the front of the ensemble doesn't automatically make the pep band cool or better. There were plenty of years where we had a teacher up front and we played the same boring tunes over and over. Why? Because that's what they always did. Many of the grad students actually listened and played different tunes. The best arrangements weren't done by the teachers, they were done by the members and the grad students.
What makes the pep band so great? The members. JMU Music school is not a JMU School of Music ensemble and never has been. IMO, putting them in charge would ruin that group. The pep band is fun. It isn't a group that is about being technically flawless. The fun taken out of the band was always connected to the administration. Regardless of things taken away from the group, it has always moved forward. It has always been great.
The group that keeps the pep band moving is the MRD's. As long as the marching band exists, the pep band exists. As long as the MRD's continue to be great, the pep band will continue to be great.
Stop acting like the sky is falling, because it isn't. Chad getting canned sucked, but he wasn't the pep band.

You're correct that as long as the MRDs exist and are great so will the pep band, but as a former MRD and friend of the pep band (I didn't play a pep band instrument and lacked the talent to learn one), I can tell you that the pep band really ramped up under Chad's leadership in bringing in more exciting music that in turn excited the band and the crowd. He was not "the pep band" but he sure as heck made it much better than it used to be. I hope that the new hire continues that upward trend however she approaches the pep band. I would fear that rotating grad students in and out of leading it will cause a drop off in ingenuity and creativity and excitement in the band, so I hope that does not happen.

(08-15-2017 10:23 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  I can tell you that the pep band really ramped up under Chad's leadership in bringing in more exciting music that in turn excited the band and the crowd. He was not "the pep band" but he sure as heck made it much better than it used to be. I hope that the new hire continues that upward trend however she approaches the pep band. I would fear that rotating grad students in and out of leading it will cause a drop off in ingenuity and creativity and excitement in the band, so I hope that does not happen.

I agree with that. He definitely brought in a LOT of great music. He was a great guy from everything I've heard. I was in the MRD's/ pep band long before him. The band needs a guy like Chad to lead. Well, he's not here anymore. We have a new leader of the pep band and she needs to be given a damn chance. Perhaps she may be just as good or better than Chad. And if she isn't, then she won't last long and a new person will come in. And through it all, the pep band will continue to exist.
I think we all agree that Chad was given a raw deal. He wasn't the first and won't be the last. There are countless moves that make us scratch our heads and wonder "WTF". But to say the sky is falling and pep band will never be what it was under Chad is looking at this through tunnel vision.

(08-15-2017 10:23 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  I can tell you that the pep band really ramped up under Chad's leadership in bringing in more exciting music that in turn excited the band and the crowd. He was not "the pep band" but he sure as heck made it much better than it used to be. I hope that the new hire continues that upward trend however she approaches the pep band. I would fear that rotating grad students in and out of leading it will cause a drop off in ingenuity and creativity and excitement in the band, so I hope that does not happen.

I agree with that. He definitely brought in a LOT of great music. He was a great guy from everything I've heard. I was in the MRD's/ pep band long before him. The band needs a guy like Chad to lead. Well, he's not here anymore. We have a new leader of the pep band and she needs to be given a damn chance. Perhaps she may be just as good or better than Chad. And if she isn't, then she won't last long and a new person will come in. And through it all, the pep band will continue to exist.
I think we all agree that Chad was given a raw deal. He wasn't the first and won't be the last. There are countless moves that make us scratch our heads and wonder "WTF". But to say the sky is falling and the pep band will never be what it was under Chad is looking at this through tunnel vision.

(08-15-2017 10:46 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(08-15-2017 10:23 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  I can tell you that the pep band really ramped up under Chad's leadership in bringing in more exciting music that in turn excited the band and the crowd. He was not "the pep band" but he sure as heck made it much better than it used to be. I hope that the new hire continues that upward trend however she approaches the pep band. I would fear that rotating grad students in and out of leading it will cause a drop off in ingenuity and creativity and excitement in the band, so I hope that does not happen.

I agree with that. He definitely brought in a LOT of great music. He was a great guy from everything I've heard. I was in the MRD's/ pep band long before him. The band needs a guy like Chad to lead. Well, he's not here anymore. We have a new leader of the pep band and she needs to be given a damn chance. Perhaps she may be just as good or better than Chad. And if she isn't, then she won't last long and a new person will come in. And through it all, the pep band will continue to exist.
I think we all agree that Chad was given a raw deal. He wasn't the first and won't be the last. There are countless moves that make us scratch our heads and wonder "WTF". But to say the sky is falling and pep band will never be what it was under Chad is looking at this through tunnel vision.

I'm certainly not saying it won't be just as good if not better, we don't know, and I don't think the sky is falling, I am just acknowledging his contribution. I know Chad fairly well (not as well as Deez and others) and VT got someone that will do great work for them. I hope that Amy continues the great work he brought to our bands.

Very happy for Chad. Lucky VT! Their MBB opponents won't know what hit 'em!

That said, I hope the JMU administration is happy. /s I just don't have a great feeling about the pep band going forward. I'm not saying they can't be as good musically, but the cheerful obnoxiousness and their involvement in the games that they've brought is what set them apart from other pep bands. The crazy signs, the cheers (like "Ash Money", "That's our Precious" and the one for Hailee, "chicken nuggets", etc), and all that...will they still be there? That's the stuff that made the JMU pep band under Chad different and special. Remember, I came to JMU from a place (Tennessee) that traditionally has had a very good (musically) pep band, but one that's really not involved in the games at all. I'd hate to see ours become like that.

(08-15-2017 12:39 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  Very happy for Chad. Lucky VT! Their MBB opponents won't know what hit 'em!

That said, I hope the JMU administration is happy. /s I just don't have a great feeling about the pep band going forward. I'm not saying they can't be as good musically, but the cheerful obnoxiousness and their involvement in the games that they've brought is what set them apart from other pep bands. The crazy signs, the cheers (like "Ash Money", "That's our Precious" and the one for Hailee, "chicken nuggets", etc), and all that...will they still be there? That's the stuff that made the JMU pep band under Chad different and special. Remember, I came to JMU from a place (Tennessee) that traditionally has had a very good (musically) pep band, but one that's really not involved in the games at all. I'd hate to see ours become like that.

And the Vols won a national title the year AFTER Peyton Manning graduated. Just sayin'.

(08-15-2017 07:52 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(08-15-2017 07:47 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  Our two National Championships are pretty damn cool.

So is Megan Good. And, Mike Houston. Bryan Schor and Aaron Stinnie are pretty cool too. Come to think of it, so is a home fall Saturday tailgating before heading into Bridgeforth Stadium. The VolleyDukes about to start defending their CAA title is kinda cool as well. And, I am pretty confident the JMU Pep Band will once again own the Convo this winter.

Agree 1000%

(08-15-2017 09:06 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(08-15-2017 08:25 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Bold prediction, except you forget that nobody in the music program cares about JMU's athletic bands. If the convocation center were a concert hall, our music educators might actually go over to that building from time to time. I am almost sure that a grad student will be running JMU's pep band - so hopefully someone with some high energy comes in and takes over, otherwise we'll look like UVA's boring band and their douche director

Hate to break it to you, but grad students running the pep band isn't a new thing. Also putting a music educator at the front of the ensemble doesn't automatically make the pep band cool or better. There were plenty of years where we had a teacher up front and we played the same boring tunes over and over. Why? Because that's what they always did. Many of the grad students actually listened and played different tunes. The best arrangements weren't done by the teachers, they were done by the members and the grad students.
What makes the pep band so great? The members. JMU Music school is not a JMU School of Music ensemble and never has been. IMO, putting them in charge would ruin that group. The pep band is fun. It isn't a group that is about being technically flawless. The fun taken out of the band was always connected to the administration. Regardless of things taken away from the group, it has always moved forward. It has always been great.
The group that keeps the pep band moving is the MRD's. As long as the marching band exists, the pep band exists. As long as the MRD's continue to be great, the pep band will continue to be great.
Stop acting like the sky is falling, because it isn't. Chad getting canned sucked, but he wasn't the pep band.

Feel the need to clarify something - I HOPE a grad student comes in to direct JMU's pep band. If Amy ends up doing it, I'll absolutely give her the chance.

I believe all of this transition is so that ONE administrator at JMU gets his way to make the pep band a non-issue; less noise complaints, and more lovey-dovey PC police kind of stuff. I'm not acting like the sky is falling. JMU has a great music program. But I don't want a ******* concert band at football or basketball games. This move is another step in that direction.

Great news! I personally think Chad leaving JMU is a loss but not everyone feels that way, especially some of the insiders that were under his leadership that past year or two. When your boss instructs you do a task a certain way and you decide to ignore him/her and do the opposite, your future may not be looking very bright.

I'm not trying to defend the way he was let go but keep in mind there's a whole lot more that look place that we don't know and if we did, it shouldn't be discussed publicly. Break-ups are never a one-sided deal. I will miss the "vib" that Chad brought to the games but I wont miss the few pep band members (official representatives of JMU) that were permitted to act in less than a respectful way toward our opponents, coaches, fans, refs, ect...

I think there were a couple instances where some signs were a little over the line, but I'm pretty confident the complaints that prompted meetings & apologies are from people with very thin skin. I don't want to air too much dirty laundry, but I'm interested to hear more details from RamDawg about what poor behavior was allowed under Chad. I always felt there was a great effort to toe the line, but not go overboard.