This is kind of a spinoff from Sgt. K. Robinson's thread about Bands living off a reputation. I often hear a lot of people from generations prior saying that their band has went down and that it was so much better when they were in it. Well my question is:
IS CHANGE THAT BAD? IS THE EVOLUTION OF BANDS ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATING A DECLINE IN EXPECTATIONS AND PERFORMANCES.
I dont think our HBCUs have changed for the worst, I think its really many of us just being stubborn. We have to remember when we were in band how the alumnis from the 80s used to come and talk to us about what we played and how we play. Its no different now. Every decade, trends come and go. I have been in band directing 11 years now and have seen a lot of trends come and go.
1. PERCUSSIONISTS- since the movie drumline, most drumlines have transitioned from funk to techical playing, showcasing hybrid rudiments and chopping. When I first started teaching, this was unheard of.
2. SONG SELECTION- I know and still believe in a certain number of particular songs played by bands. Some songs will never disappear such as Southern blowing Never Satisfied or Gangster Bit$h. Or Jackson State version of Golden Time of Day or Get Ready, PVU's- Entertainment Tonight and Star Spangled Banner, TSUs- Torture. I can go on and on. But its good to hear bands play and develop NEW CLASSICS
Change isnt that bad. We just have a new generation of musicians who need guidance. Students today learn differently from how we learned. I never used the internet until Sophomore Year in College. We have to learn how to embrace change and become innovative enough if we want to keep our bands going good.. Im honestly tired of seeing the same bands thriving. Im ready to see the competition really stepping up. Imagine going to Bayou Classic one year and seeing Grambling Marching 350 and smashing. OR imagine seeing Mississippi Valley creeping up on Jackson and straight mashing out of nowhere. I enjoy seeing new things come from our bands and I dont think change is always bad
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I personally know a dude who marched for a certain HBCU which has changed drastically and he said their whole fhorn line is nothing but left overs. He didn't mean it in any kind of good way either. Why did he say it? Because there was a standard for talent when he was there that is obviously gone now.
Goldy_1914 said:
Change in a positive direction is respected and insisted....
change in the form of nigga-dry and coonery is prohibited....
TBoneSuave said:
So what standards do you judge this positive change vs Ignorant Nikkadom.. lol
Real question. Is it size? sound? discipline? better awards? notoriety? playing ability? funding? power? volume? multi-styled?
TBoneSuave said:
OMG this is the best post in the history of best post.... i couldnt agree more with you... you hit every nail.... sn i remember talkin to a ocean alumni kuz they was gettin mad the we dont do fanfare anymore and im like dude the times have changed were more into the less fanfares we kno the more songs as a whole band we kan learn so it goes from ohh our tubas smashed yall to ohhh our WHOLE band smashed yalls..
It's like the old adage says, "Change imposed is change opposed..."
We understand that times change, people change, everything changes. But when it comes to marching band, those changes should come as a means to adapt to what's going on in that particular day and age...not throwing timeless traditions to the side to follow some band fad.
These days, it seems that's exactly what bands are doing. They are putting their traditions, that gave that band an identity, to the side and are playing around with current band trends...and that's not cool.
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