stell91
New Member
The band this year is actually a little under 200, right around 180.
TCU MARCHING BAND
- Thread starter Raw Frog
- Start date
The band this year is actually a little under 200, right around 180.
researchfrog
Active Member
There are diminishing returns. My extrapolation did not take into account the possibility that TCU would hold auditions for marching band or otherwise try to limit its size. If the band started to grow towards 400, I would suspect that TCU would try to limits its size to 250-300 via auditions. They might, perhaps, even relax the music major scholarship requirements.
Based on discussions I overheard between the then-music dean and other higher-ups (maybe Koehler?) during the Sun Bowl week, I learned they anticipated that the band would balloon to over 250 after the Sun Bowl if we continued winning.* This was based on their experiences with the Bluebonnet Bowl and the Independence Bowl. This did not happen. For one thing, then associate director of bands Velez had run off a number of students during the extremely hot summer of 1998. I recall some music majors even gave up their scholarships. The next year with Youngblood also caused some casualties, including me. After having ruminated on this subject for many years, I would guess that a lack of road trips to relatively nearby schools probably played a much bigger role in limiting the size of the band than anything else. It was a cheap way to travel, get out of town for a day, and see other schools.
* I just happened to end up sitting next to these guys on the plane trip out there and on various bus trips around El Paso.
Based on discussions I overheard between the then-music dean and other higher-ups (maybe Koehler?) during the Sun Bowl week, I learned they anticipated that the band would balloon to over 250 after the Sun Bowl if we continued winning.* This was based on their experiences with the Bluebonnet Bowl and the Independence Bowl. This did not happen. For one thing, then associate director of bands Velez had run off a number of students during the extremely hot summer of 1998. I recall some music majors even gave up their scholarships. The next year with Youngblood also caused some casualties, including me. After having ruminated on this subject for many years, I would guess that a lack of road trips to relatively nearby schools probably played a much bigger role in limiting the size of the band than anything else. It was a cheap way to travel, get out of town for a day, and see other schools.
* I just happened to end up sitting next to these guys on the plane trip out there and on various bus trips around El Paso.
I think unless you were in band you shouldn't give your opinions! The reason we do not have a bigger band is that if you look at enrollment numbers at TCU and compare those to the other Universities with bigger numbers we probably have a better percentage of students involved then that of Texas and OU!
ShivasFrog
Active Member
Well, I stand corrected. Seems like I've read on KFC a number of times in the past that Bobby Francis runs the band and its repertoire and doesn't have to answer to the AD.
The Athletic Dept. DOES NOT fund the marching band. The only time that money is used from them is on bowl trips or possibly an extra road game that was not anticipated. This has been a point of contention for many yrs but will not change. The only thing that they call the shots on is when we can play during the stands because they dont want their precious commercials played over.
Thanks QuilterFrawg...yes, that is great! The only thing better would be for video of the band playing it.
Maybe Wes can pin it ?
QuilterFrawg
CDR USN (Ret)
What country are you from?
If you read this board much, you'd know that several of us were or are in the band. Even if we weren't, we are all entitled to our say.
BrewingFrog
Was I supposed to type something here?
I am still looking for a remote for that danged big screen that has a big MUTE button...
Screaming Flea
New Member
Deep Purple
Full Member
Right. And unless you played on the football team, you shouldn't offer opinions about football either. In fact, let's just shut down the forum.
Big Frog II
Active Member
As for the band I just have a few requests:
1. Play much louder at football games and not quite so loud at basketball games.
2. For the love of God, play Deep in the Heart of Texas the original way. I don't care if John Philip Souza himself arranged the jazzy version, it stinks.
1. Play much louder at football games and not quite so loud at basketball games.
2. For the love of God, play Deep in the Heart of Texas the original way. I don't care if John Philip Souza himself arranged the jazzy version, it stinks.
researchfrog
Active Member
Pretty sure UT limits its numbers through auditions. OU's website also shows audition dates.
AEAfrog
Active Member
TCU accepts all who wish to participate in the band. There are no try-outs like they have at UT or OU. I think the size will increase due to the conference change but it's not as if the band staff were intentionally limiting the size before.
Horned Toad
Active Member
What are the rules for earning a band scholarship? Are they full or partial scholarships?
And give these selfless kids some spats...
GERGreg427
Member
Does it look like the band and dance team are moving farther south in the stands? looks like they chopped a larger portion of wall south of the old opening, and removed the steps from the old one. can someone get photos to confirm?
GERGreg427
Member
She is also the cheer coach, not the dance team coach. She was a Cheerleader here at TCU in 03-04 i belive
So, a student would not have to be a music major to be in the band? I would sure hope not, as it would really seem to limit a lot of kids that would like to participate in it.
I would hope that the TCU Marching Band has some sort of presence during orientation to let the newbies know what it is and where they can go to seek more information about joining. It looks like it is going to be a lot more fun with the proximity of the Big 12 games and mixing it up with big time programs on a regular basis.
Looks to me that the Band needs to reassess the way they have been doing it, like our football coaches will, so they can modify things to make it better if they want to. Hopefully they will, and band members can fill us in on what is going on.
Planks
Active Member
You don't even have to go to TCU to be in the band. There are a good number of TCC students in the band.
Yes it is true that you dont have to be a TCU student to be in the band. There used to be a goodly number of students from TCC, UTA, and even University of North Texas, but those numbers have dwindled due to the fact that TCU's extended ed charges over 600.00 for the .5 hour marching band credit.
As for the numbers getting larger because of proximity to games and more access to road games, I dont think that is anticipated because of alot of students are burned out by the time they get to college and those that do it are dedicated. also the time commitment is a factor. Believe it or not after the Rose bowl season we lost more kids then normal because of all the events. Yes i know that it shouldnt be that way but it is. Those students were exit interviewed and they stated that too many events is what cause them to leave the organization. And no it wasn't the band exhibitions because there are only 2 maybe three of those.
As for the numbers getting larger because of proximity to games and more access to road games, I dont think that is anticipated because of alot of students are burned out by the time they get to college and those that do it are dedicated. also the time commitment is a factor. Believe it or not after the Rose bowl season we lost more kids then normal because of all the events. Yes i know that it shouldnt be that way but it is. Those students were exit interviewed and they stated that too many events is what cause them to leave the organization. And no it wasn't the band exhibitions because there are only 2 maybe three of those.
