Since this thread is titled MRD Questions -

1) I assume there are no grades (it's not a course) for being in the MRDs. Is that correct?

2) Do the MRDs practice year round, or only in the fall when they perform?

3) Is concert band different than MRDs? If so, can you be in both?

4) When and how do you get selected to be a MRD? Do you have to audition prior your freshman year?

5) If you make the band as a freshman, are you in for your duration at JMU unless you do something wrong? In other words do you need to tryout each year?

Yes - I have a potential MRD about four years out....

(09-11-2019 08:59 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Since this thread is titled MRD Questions -

1) I assume there are no grades (it's not a course) for being in the MRDs. Is that correct?

2) Do the MRDs practice year round, or only in the fall when they perform?

3) Is concert band different than MRDs? If so, can you be in both?

4) When and how do you get selected to be a MRD? Do you have to audition prior your freshman year?

5) If you make the band as a freshman, are you in for your duration at JMU unless you do something wrong? In other words do you need to tryout each year?

Yes - I have a potential MRD about four years out....

1.) MRDs is a 2-credit course at JMU. (I'm assuming it is the same now, but Music Ed majors who played a Band instrument were required to take it for 2 years.) Grades were (are?) based almost solely on attendance.

2.) Only in the Fall (with a little summer work)

3.) Concert Band is different. You can be in both. Again, Music majors are required to take a concert ensemble every semester. For Band members in KKY and TBS (Band Frat/Sorority), I am almost certain that they are required to do concert band in the Spring.

4.) Only certain sections audition. Specifically Guard and Drumline. Most other sections allow anyone with the basic playing skills. However, (I think this is still true...) there are auditions for "starting" spots once Band Camp starts. There will then be some Alternates who learn the music, march pre-game, and fight for a spot in the case a starter is sick/absent/drops-out.

5.) Most typically re-audition, but returners have an obvious leg up.

(Current/recent members - feel free to correct me...this is how it used to be...)

One nice benefit (especially freshman year) is being able to move into the dorms a week before everyone else.

There are definitely grades and it is dependent on attendance. One year I screwed up and got to Saturday morning practice late. They made me sit out practice, the game and I got dinged on my grade that year from what I recall. I think if you’re a complete no show to any performance you get an automatic F. Fortunately that didn’t happen to me. I was in the bass drum line that year so my absence was quite noticeable since the parts are all unique.

(09-11-2019 10:22 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 08:45 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 12:03 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  All I know is this year’s band sounds better than every MRDs I’ve seen since 2011.

They did sound pretty awesome, seems like fewer players and therefore maybe more of a focus on sound, but Scott is always about the sound... One band one sound I think is what he always said. I got goosebumps a number of times during half time last game, makes me miss being out there!

I think you're thinking of the Great Dr. Lee from 2002

That was before my time, unless that's a pop culture reference I don't get. Maybe it was my high school director... sounded good when I typed it

(09-12-2019 08:48 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 10:22 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 08:45 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 12:03 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  All I know is this year’s band sounds better than every MRDs I’ve seen since 2011.

They did sound pretty awesome, seems like fewer players and therefore maybe more of a focus on sound, but Scott is always about the sound... One band one sound I think is what he always said. I got goosebumps a number of times during half time last game, makes me miss being out there!

I think you're thinking of the Great Dr. Lee from 2002

That was before my time, unless that's a pop culture reference I don't get. Maybe it was my high school director... sounded good when I typed it

(09-12-2019 09:01 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(09-12-2019 08:48 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 10:22 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 08:45 AM)JMUTrippster Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 12:03 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  All I know is this year’s band sounds better than every MRDs I’ve seen since 2011.

They did sound pretty awesome, seems like fewer players and therefore maybe more of a focus on sound, but Scott is always about the sound... One band one sound I think is what he always said. I got goosebumps a number of times during half time last game, makes me miss being out there!

I think you're thinking of the Great Dr. Lee from 2002

That was before my time, unless that's a pop culture reference I don't get. Maybe it was my high school director... sounded good when I typed it

Oh yea, that was it.

HIT EM WITH FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE!

(09-11-2019 03:46 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  the band's performance schedule is here:
https://www.jmu.edu/mrd/schedules.shtml

and they won't be performing at any (regular season) away football games this year

What is the POPs concert on Oct 12th? Don't think I've ever seen that before.

(09-13-2019 12:51 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 03:46 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  the band's performance schedule is here:
https://www.jmu.edu/mrd/schedules.shtml

and they won't be performing at any (regular season) away football games this year

What is the POPs concert on Oct 12th? Don't think I've ever seen that before.

That's definitely not new - we were doing that concert when I was going through. (You learn very quickly why having the full Band play in the convo is not the greatest acoustic idea in the world.)

(09-13-2019 01:05 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(09-13-2019 12:51 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 03:46 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  the band's performance schedule is here:
https://www.jmu.edu/mrd/schedules.shtml

and they won't be performing at any (regular season) away football games this year

What is the POPs concert on Oct 12th? Don't think I've ever seen that before.

That's definitely not new - we were doing that concert when I was going through. (You learn very quickly why having the full Band play in the convo is not the greatest acoustic idea in the world.)

Just meant I've never seen/experienced it before, and was wondering if it was worthwhile attending. Sounds like the stadium provides better acoustics.

(09-13-2019 01:08 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(09-13-2019 01:05 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(09-13-2019 12:51 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 03:46 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  the band's performance schedule is here:
https://www.jmu.edu/mrd/schedules.shtml

and they won't be performing at any (regular season) away football games this year

What is the POPs concert on Oct 12th? Don't think I've ever seen that before.

That's definitely not new - we were doing that concert when I was going through. (You learn very quickly why having the full Band play in the convo is not the greatest acoustic idea in the world.)

Just meant I've never seen/experienced it before, and was wondering if it was worthwhile attending. Sounds like the stadium provides better acoustics.

A cardboard box has better acoustics than the Convo. Aside from that, there's usually some pretty good music. A few times a famous performer will come in and play with the group.
Basically, I would say it's a good show for any group BUT the MRDs. They're just too large and the acoustics of the Convo doesn't help things.
This may be a historic pops concert because it will probably be the last one at the Convo. I'm very curious to hear the acoustics in the new center will be. Hopefully they will be much better.

One of the nice things about the Pops Concert is that you get to hear some of the other JMU Ensembles like the Symphonic Band, the Brass band and Chorus. Definitely worth going to.

Brian

(09-13-2019 04:09 PM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  One of the nice things about the Pops Concert is that you get to hear some of the other JMU Ensembles like the Symphonic Band, the Brass band and Chorus. Definitely worth going to.

Brian

JMU Brass Band is SO GOOD.

Hyper

You are correct I really have enjoyed listening to the Brass band. They rock!!

Brian