disturbing trend?

[Three Valves]

I call BS.

The music ed snobs don’t want to be in marching band anyway.

And if the football team and concessions don’t pay for the marching band, it should.

[pwhitaker]

The band is an easier target than is the bloated administrative superstructure so vital to the success of the institution. Removing healthy tonsils is simpler than excising a large malignant brain tumor.

[Three Valves]

No. I do not find a single episode of proposed budget posturing from a single mid-major university in Kentucky dropping their marching band program and requirements for MusEd students a "trend."

But I have noticed that since I left school 30+ years ago, school districts and universities that value music education have grown and improved enormously.

Those that do not, have not.

[windshieldbug]

...and - if none of those work out - there are always marching sociology majors...and hey, they already have uniforms.

Hey, one is out of uniform! (has on a printed neckerchief over their face instead of all-black)

[windshieldbug]

If you're just "in" the band blatting on the sousaphone, how can you learn how to curse at 140 decibels though a Long Ranger at a bunch of young people who are either way-to-hot or way-to-cold (while playing the same ffff passage and bumping into each other for the 37th time) ?

That's what Drum Majors are for...

[Dan Schultz]

A local high school has an awesome award winning music program and a 200 piece marching that consistantly brings home state recognition. However... I understand that the kids & parents pony up three grand a year to particiate.

[Three Valves]

The music ed snobs don’t want to be in marching band anyway.

...to me, learning to teach a marching band, without ever having been in one, would be like trying to read a book and watch a video to try to teach someone how to swim without having ever been in the water swimming, yourself.

We agree. But I told you so, didn't I??

[Three Valves]

A local high school has an awesome award winning music program and a 200 piece marching that consistantly brings home state recognition. However... I understand that the kids & parents pony up three grand a year to particiate.

Like I said...

But I have noticed that since I left school 30+ years ago, school districts and universities that value music education have grown and improved enormously.

Those that do not, have not.

[Three Valves]

Sorry.

I don't do "deep!!"

[Three Valves]

U of Delaware Marching Blue Hens;

1976

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N53DhBrK9Mc" target="_blank

2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqXQB3iss0E&t=486s" target="_blank


While the 2014 band is clearly bigger and better, it is equally clear the 1976 incarnation is having more fun.

Spatz wearin', hi steppin' and SWINGIN' IT Baby!!