Pre-game Band of Distinction performance

[Rick83]

Love getting to my seat an hour before kickoff to watch the band march into the stadium. One recommendation would be to kill the canned music as the band approaches the stadium. Hearing the drum cadence off in the distance and then building up as they enter the stadium should be a moment builing up as they circle around the field for their pre-game performance in front of the student section...but it clashes with the canned music and is amateurish. Love the band...they always bring their "A" game!

[hapapp]

It's almost as if this is done just to aggravate us. I hate the canned music during the game. I can tolerate it during pregame as I understand it's intent. But it incenses me when it is played over the band's entrance to the stadium. It's pretty clear our distaste for the canned music is falling on deaf ears.

[scatman77]

It's almost as if this is done just to aggravate us. I hate the canned music during the game. I can tolerate it during pregame as I understand it's intent. But it incenses me when it is played over the band's entrance to the stadium. It's pretty clear our distaste for the canned music is falling on deaf ears.

"our distaste for the canned music is falling on deaf ears."
You have no idea.... I've emailed Doug Gillan about it and even though I like him I got personal yet typical canned reply thanking me for my comments, yadda yadda....

[scatman77]

Regarding the canned music, I have emailed Zeke Beam, associate athletics director for football game operations. I am posting it here. I realize my opinion and $5 will buy a cup of Starbucks but felt that I had to speak up.

Mr. Beam

First of all I hope that you are the person to whom I should be addressing my concern. Secondly my name is Mike Smith, and 1977 and 1982 alumnus. I am a former student athletic training aide and have been a long-time member of the Yosef Club. I along with Dr. Vaughn Christian and Carolyn Kanoy helped recognize our form head AT Ron Kanoy with a scholarship established through the Former Athletes Association.

That being said I feel that my concerns and opinion need to be heard. I've attended football games this year and in past years, and my experiences have been wonderful primarily because of the outcome, the Miami game notwithstanding. My experiences otherwise have been woefully painful: the canned music between every stoppage in play is annoying to say the least and at worst it is completely obnoxious and an insult to our Band of Distinction. Canned music played over the BOD disrespects the students in the band and their talents.

If you check ASU football and BOD history you'll find that the band's entrance has always been an anticipated event each Saturday, with the drum cadence always followed by a rousing "Give 'em hell!" cheer. Dr. Peacock would often step up and direct the BOD himself, thereby further emphasizing their importance. Playing "Bugler's Dream" at kick-offs started in the mid-1970's and became a tradition.

Listen to the alumni and others who also dislike the canned music. Read "Yosef's Cabin" message board and you'll see just how deeply the disdain for the canned music really is. Talk with others in the Yosef Club who know Mountaineer history and you'll find many more who have my concerns as well. Please, for all that's great about Mountaineer football games stop the canned music. Mike up the BOD and let the game-day atmosphere and experience be led by and for the students.

[asu70]

I don't mind the canned music as long as the BOD is not playing, and the canned music certainly needs to stop during the BOD entrance! I can't believe that the entrance problem with canned music still exists, but it does and needs to be fixed!

[Rekdiver]

There are times for canned music...........not between every play however...............Suggest alternating with the BOD during time outs.
Ring the bell on 3rd downs. Let us yell. The canned music takes the crowd out of the game

[AppAlum1]

There are times for canned music...........not between every play however...............Suggest alternating with the BOD during time outs.
Ring the bell on 3rd downs. Let us yell. The canned music takes the crowd out of the game

Yes, yes, yes. This is EXACTLY right. It takes the crowd out of the game. The law of unintended consequences at its finest.

Turn the damn thing OFF the ENTIRE game, and the crowd will come alive. Dare ya!

[bcoach]

You are not getting it guys.

[Wally]

There are times for canned music...........not between every play however...............Suggest alternating with the BOD during time outs.
Ring the bell on 3rd downs. Let us yell. The canned music takes the crowd out of the game

Canned music has its place... pregame is fine but definitely turn it off so we can enjoy the BOD entrance... during timeouts or between quarters is perfectly appropriate. However, the canned music needs to be put away between plays... forever! As mentioned, it is disruptive to the crowd and the timing is always off... it truthfully sounds cheap and amateurish to me. It was almost comical last week when TX St. was in their hurry up and we were trying to get some little snippet of canned music in before the snap. I was a little embarrassed, just to be honest. Don't worry, on D, us crazies in the stands can handle making all the noise you need. On O, let's let our boys concentrate on the task at hand.

[AppAlum1]

You are not getting it guys.

Do huh?

[Rekdiver]

We should play "Name That Tune" with the between play music................

[bcoach]

You are not getting it guys.

Do huh?

They have been contacted about this many times and it is not changing. What does that tell you?

[AppAlum1]

You are not getting it guys.

Do huh?

They have been contacted about this many times and it is not changing. What does that tell you?

That someone needs to be fired?

[appaneer1984]

Is canned music like canned soup?

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

It seems like such a simple request. It doesn't require anything more than some coordination between the band director and the sound guy/girl. I've been to P5 games, and although they do play music, there is not a sense of the band not having a strong presence. Surely it can't be that hard to fix. Looking more like they don't want to fix it.

[AppAlum1]

Ignoring alums will get someone in trouble.

I don't hear one single poster saying they want more canned music. We seem to be divided into two groups: 1) those who want to minimize it alot or dispense with it altogether (the "altogether-ers"); and 2) those who put up with it, as is (the "as-is-ers").

The solution here, it seems to me, is to put the BOD in charge of the canned music. That would do more than anything else, to fix this mess. If they want to un-plug the damn thing, it won't hurt my feelings. As it is, we appear to have the athletic dept. in charge of the canned music. Where exactly do you suppose the person in charge got their training to run a scoreboard's canned music?

[scatman77]

Regarding the canned music, I have emailed Zeke Beam, associate athletics director for football game operations. I am posting it here. I realize my opinion and $5 will buy a cup of Starbucks but felt that I had to speak up.

Mr. Beam

First of all I hope that you are the person to whom I should be addressing my concern. Secondly my name is Mike Smith, and 1977 and 1982 alumnus. I am a former student athletic training aide and have been a long-time member of the Yosef Club. I along with Dr. Vaughn Christian and Carolyn Kanoy helped recognize our form head AT Ron Kanoy with a scholarship established through the Former Athletes Association.

That being said I feel that my concerns and opinion need to be heard. I've attended football games this year and in past years, and my experiences have been wonderful primarily because of the outcome, the Miami game notwithstanding. My experiences otherwise have been woefully painful: the canned music between every stoppage in play is annoying to say the least and at worst it is completely obnoxious and an insult to our Band of Distinction. Canned music played over the BOD disrespects the students in the band and their talents.

If you check ASU football and BOD history you'll find that the band's entrance has always been an anticipated event each Saturday, with the drum cadence always followed by a rousing "Give 'em hell!" cheer. Dr. Peacock would often step up and direct the BOD himself, thereby further emphasizing their importance. Playing "Bugler's Dream" at kick-offs started in the mid-1970's and became a tradition.

Listen to the alumni and others who also dislike the canned music. Read "Yosef's Cabin" message board and you'll see just how deeply the disdain for the canned music really is. Talk with others in the Yosef Club who know Mountaineer history and you'll find many more who have my concerns as well. Please, for all that's great about Mountaineer football games stop the canned music. Mike up the BOD and let the game-day atmosphere and experience be led by and for the students.

I received this reply from Brian Tracy, Senior Associate Athletic Director:

Mike -

Thank you for your note and support of Appalachian athletics.

We strive to create a positive experience for our fans and friends who attend Appalachian football games as well as create a competitive atmosphere for our team.

Collegiate marching band's and specifically the Band of Distinction make college atmosphere what it is. We support your desires to see them play more and be as active as they can be in the gameday experience.

This season, we have looked into adding a microphone or additional sound to increase their effect and impact. We will continue to review both internally as well as with the their leadership on how they can expand their capabilities.

Happy to discuss further by phone if you like. I can be reached at 828-262-6653

Continued best - Brian

[YesAppCan]

That was not the answer I was looking for...

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

We have the solution. Add a microphone to enhance the sound of the band, because that in fact was the major issue all along.

Sarcasm