Eastern Washington drops marching band

[W. DeMontague]

End of the show
EWU drops marching band to save money



http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/aug/11/End-of-the-show/



How many of you could not see a gameday experience without your school's marching band at the football game?

[Dane96]

We dont have a marching band...and our football team does quite well. Now...speaking of our gameday experience, that is whole other story.

That said, sad day at EWU.

[phoenixphanatic21]

Wow, never thought I'd see this day. A very sad one indeed. Can't imagine a college football game without a marching band.

[Hammerhead]

NDSU has a marching band, but I could live without them.

Many schools in the Portland area have dropped marching band so it might be harder for colleges to put decent bands together.

[jmufan999]

it's always sad when another school drops ANYTHING music-related, no less something that ALSO adds to the gameday atmosphere. i was part of JMU's Marching Royal Dukes, a 400+ piece ensemble.

don't give up, sometimes these things come and go. maybe when the economy picks up. UVA thought they'd always be stuck with a crappy pep band and now they have a crappy marching band, so at least there's that.

[mebisonII]

UND's band was dropped (I'm not sure when), but came back in the early 2000s. Hopefully EWU will march again someday.

[JoshUCA]

I could not imagine a game at Estes Stadium without the Bear Marching Band!

[I Bleed Purple]

I hope EWU will realize that a football game needs to be more than that, a game. It needs to be an event to justify so much money on five or so home games a year. Cutting the band takes away from that. What's next? No mini football tosses?

[Silenoz]

I hope EWU will realize that a football game needs to be more than that, a game. It needs to be an event to justify so much money on five or so home games a year. Cutting the band takes away from that. What's next? No mini football tosses?

I don't recall any mini-football tosses at EWU

:p

[Aho_Old_Guy]

I sure would miss the Band of Distinction (http://www.music.appstate.edu/mband/ASU_Marching_Mountaineers/Home.html)

[jstate83]

Any word on wether the kids will get together and at least have a volunteer pep band for home games to play the school's "fight song" and other tunes during the game?

Just a thought. xnodx

[SideLine Shooter]

I sure would miss the Band of Distinction (http://www.music.appstate.edu/mband/ASU_Marching_Mountaineers/Home.html)

I'm with you on that. I love the after game show they play. If I didn't hear "The Tennessee Waltz" echoing thru the mountains after a great day of college football, It just would not be RIGHT.xnodxxnodx

[SideLine Shooter]

it's always sad when another school drops ANYTHING music-related, no less something that ALSO adds to the gameday atmosphere. i was part of JMU's Marching Royal Dukes, a 400+ piece ensemble.

don't give up, sometimes these things come and go. maybe when the economy picks up. UVA thought they'd always be stuck with a crappy pep band and now they have a crappy marching band, so at least there's that.

Now that is a marching band that everyone needs to see. EXCELLENT!xthumbsupxxthumbsupx

Our H.S. band competed in their H.S. competition @ JMU several times and even won the open class a time or two. That was always the best competition we attended and we got to see the Royal Dukes also.

[PantherRob82]

I can't imagine what it would be like to not have the marching band do their pregame and then march to line up at the garage door. :(

[GannonFan]

College football without a marching band is just not college football.

[coover]

College football without a marching band is just not college football.

Television doesn't seem to think so. How many times have you seen the Marching Band perform at Halftime while watching a game on TV? Oh yeah, the Super Bowl shows the Halftime Events ... eh, is there a Marching Band involved? I forget!

[appfan2008]

as a former member of asu's marching band i may be a little biased but kidd brewer would totally not be same with out the band...

[GannonFan]

Television doesn't seem to think so. How many times have you seen the Marching Band perform at Halftime while watching a game on TV? Oh yeah, the Super Bowl shows the Halftime Events ... eh, is there a Marching Band involved? I forget!

College football on TV doesn't need the bands to be College Football on TV. Granted, I would like to see them show the marching bands, but watching a game on TV means you can be at home, maybe have a few friends over, and at halftime you can switch to any one of the other 10 college football games that are on that aren't at halftime.

And besides, marching bands are better heard live - you lose a lot on TV. xthumbsupx

[Screamin_Eagle174]

This F&*#@^$ sucks. The MB is instrumental (pun intended) in amping up the fans during tailgating and during the game. I marched tenors in the drumline my first two years at EWU. Sad day.

[CopperCat]

UND's band was dropped (I'm not sure when), but came back in the early 2000s. Hopefully EWU will march again someday.

When I lived in Grand Forks I went to a few games, and I was actually impressed with the UND band. They do a good job, sound pretty good for a smaller marching band. I'm partial to having a band at the game, I did it for four years.

[bkrownd]

Ours could use a massive downsizing...

[GreatAppSt]

xsmhxxsmhx

[JSU02]

Television doesn't seem to think so. How many times have you seen the Marching Band perform at Halftime while watching a game on TV? Oh yeah, the Super Bowl shows the Halftime Events ... eh, is there a Marching Band involved? I forget!

The local station in NE Alabama that carries Jax State's games actually makes a point of it to show the Marching Southerners show.

I just can't understand schools dropping their marching bands. The Southerners are such a big part of JSU I honestly believe we would drop our football team before we ever dropped our band.

[oldSLOguy]

College football on TV doesn't need the bands to be College Football on TV. Granted, I would like to see them show the marching bands, but watching a game on TV means you can be at home, maybe have a few friends over, and at halftime you can switch to any one of the other 10 college football games that are on that aren't at halftime.

And besides, marching bands are better heard live - you lose a lot on TV. xthumbsupx

xthumbsupx

[DFW HOYA]

Eastern Washington lost a band. But Western Washington lost its team.

http://www.savewwufootball.com

[bjtheflamesfan]

I dont think I want to know what an LU game would be like without the band (having been a part of it for all but one of my years of undergrad)

[McNeese75]

NDSU has a marching band, but I could live without them.

Many schools in the Portland area have dropped marching band so it might be harder for colleges to put decent bands together.

Portland State does not have a marching band. The substitute band they have for their games certainly does not provide the punch a marching band does. xsmhx

[DX Man]

The game day experience is not the same without a marching band!

[GannonFan]

Ours could use a massive downsizing...

Huh??? I've seen plenty of bands, but UMass is certainly one of the best bands I've ever seen - easily the best band in the CAA and gotta be one of the top bands in the country. Shouldn't mess with what works. xthumbsupx

[MR. CHICKEN]

This F&*#@^$ sucks. The MB is instrumental (pun intended) in amping up the fans during tailgating and during the game. I marched tenors in the drumline my first two years at EWU. Sad day.


AH FEEL YER PAIN..BYRD....(BAH DUH WAY...DUH DRUM BEATS...DO IT FO' DUH CHICKEN)....DUH TOTAL GAME DAY EXPERIENCE....SHOULD INCLUDE....BAND...CHEERLEADERAHS....FACE PAINTERS....STADIUM VENDORS....SKYDIVERAHS....FLY OVERAHS....ALUMNI TENTS....TOSSIN' PIGGIES..IN DUH LOTS....BOOKSTORE DISPLAYS....EYEIN' LOOKERAHS...WEARIN'....T/SWEAT SHIRTS....FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS....CHECKIN' OUT PLAYER MOMS...&...SISTERS....WONDERIN' HOW SOME ONE....CAN GROW UH MUZZIE/BEARD....LIKE DAT....DUH SMELL O' CIGARS/CHILLI....WAFTIN' THROUGH DUH TAIL-GATES...DUH OCCASIONAL ARREST...FO' LEWDNESS/DRUNKENESS....OH YEAH....AN' UH COUPLE SLOBBER-KNOCKER HITS....ON DUH ENEMY...xeekxxnodxxeekx.....BRAWK/OBAMA/BIDEN!!

[Screamin_Eagle174]

AH FEEL YER PAIN..BYRD....(BAH DUH WAY...DUH DRUM BEATS...DO IT FO' DUH CHICKEN)....DUH TOTAL GAME DAY EXPERIENCE....SHOULD INCLUDE....BAND...CHEERLEADERAHS....FACE PAINTERS....STADIUM VENDORS....SKYDIVERAHS....FLY OVERAHS....ALUMNI TENTS....TOSSIN' PIGGIES..IN DUH LOTS....BOOKSTORE DISPLAYS....EYEIN' LOOKERAHS...WEARIN'....T/SWEAT SHIRTS....FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS....CHECKIN' OUT PLAYER MOMS...&...SISTERS....WONDERIN' HOW SOME ONE....CAN GROW UH MUZZIE/BEARD....LIKE DAT....DUH SMELL O' CIGARS/CHILLI....WAFTIN' THROUGH DUH TAIL-GATES...DUH OCCASIONAL ARREST...FO' LEWDNESS/DRUNKENESS....OH YEAH....AN' UH COUPLE SLOBBER-KNOCKER HITS....ON DUH ENEMY...xeekxxnodxxeekx.....BRAWK/OBAMA/BIDEN!!

Some of the best tailgating/game day atmosphere I've been a part of (Montana knows how to do it, I must say):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53136955_eeeac3696c.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/53136389_a46c3c2a79.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/53136383_32e4d5daa2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53138043_3cd622ce04.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53141240_081b197289.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53142101_1194c41096.jpg

At EWU:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3813436391_1146bba9ec.jpg
(I'm in the afro wig)
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v126/134/122/44500233/n44500233_30443338_5905.jpg

And on the set of End Game (Cuba Gooding Jr., James Woods, Ann Archer) even!:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3813436355_66fa3a5411.jpg

xpeacexxpeacexxpeacex

[Aho_Old_Guy]

The local station in NE Alabama that carries Jax State's games actually makes a point of it to show the Marching Southerners show.

I just can't understand schools dropping their marching bands. The Southerners are such a big part of JSU I honestly believe we would drop our football team before we ever dropped our band.

There was a time in our long pigskin history when the Band of Distinction garnered everyone's attention at halftime; and with the beginning of the 3rd quarter we simply returned to our socializing and libations.

[AppStsGr8]

as a former member of asu's marching band i may be a little biased but kidd brewer would totally not be same with out the band...

You are so right! Many of the high schoolers I've taken to App football were very interested in marching band. I always get them into the stadium in time to see the Band of Distinction's fabulous entrance. Quite a few of those kids have remembered that entrance and the students' response in their final decision to choose App.

At App, it's the band that signals the start of the game. When the band comes in, the students stand ... and keep standing until the game is over. The band's wild warm-up tuning is conducted by Dr. Tobias ... and thousands of students.

I cannot imagine App football without the Band of Distinction!

[The Cats]

If there is a "band of distinction" in North Carolina, it's the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

http://cf.wcu.edu/prideofthemountains/img/banner/sudlertrophy09sm.jpg

http://www.sousafoundation.org/allProjects/trophy.htm
http://www.prideofthemountains.com/

[gophoenix]

Television doesn't seem to think so. How many times have you seen the Marching Band perform at Halftime while watching a game on TV? Oh yeah, the Super Bowl shows the Halftime Events ... eh, is there a Marching Band involved? I forget!

They show for the HBCU games. I know, because sometimes I watch halftime just for that of these games.

But yes, I wish they WOULD show the bands on TV..... heck they are much more entertaining that crappy superbowl halftime shows.

Sad the EWU dropped their band. Hate to see this. Are they keeping a pep band or dropping sports band altogether?

App and Western have great bands, ours is small but I wouldn't want a game without them. Games at Wofford and The Citadel just don't see right without proper bands. Wish The Citadel would put the drum and pipes on the field (or was that VMI, I can't remember now).

[WUTNDITWAA]

If there is a "band of distinction" in North Carolina, it's the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

http://cf.wcu.edu/prideofthemountains/img/banner/sudlertrophy09sm.jpg

http://www.sousafoundation.org/allProjects/trophy.htm
http://www.prideofthemountains.com/

Ummm. No. xcoffeex

Congrats on the award, though.

[grizband]

Some of the best tailgating/game day atmosphere I've been a part of (Montana knows how to do it, I must say):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53136955_eeeac3696c.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/53136389_a46c3c2a79.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/53136383_32e4d5daa2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53138043_3cd622ce04.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53141240_081b197289.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/53142101_1194c41096.jpg

At EWU:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3813436391_1146bba9ec.jpg
(I'm in the afro wig)
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v126/134/122/44500233/n44500233_30443338_5905.jpg

And on the set of End Game (Cuba Gooding Jr., James Woods, Ann Archer) even!:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/3813436355_66fa3a5411.jpg

xpeacexxpeacexxpeacex
The tall drummer in the UM band picture is one of my best friends. Awesome pics of the Griz game day experience!

[coover]

College football on TV doesn't need the bands to be College Football on TV. Granted, I would like to see them show the marching bands, but watching a game on TV means you can be at home, maybe have a few friends over, and at halftime you can switch to any one of the other 10 college football games that are on that aren't at halftime.

And besides, marching bands are better heard live - you lose a lot on TV. xthumbsupx

I absolutely agree that I would like TV to show the Halftime show with the Marching Bands. They are important. I was being sarcastic with my comments, Actually, I'm a little bit bitter over this subject.

I hope Eastern Washington gets their band back, and I hope that they are seen on any televised games.

[DX Man]

If there is a "band of distinction" in North Carolina, it's the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

http://cf.wcu.edu/prideofthemountains/img/banner/sudlertrophy09sm.jpg

http://www.sousafoundation.org/allProjects/trophy.htm
http://www.prideofthemountains.com/

xlolxxnonoxxlolxxnonoxxlolxxnonoxxlolxxnonoxxlolxx nonox

[Ivytalk]

It's a shame that EWU has lost its band. The Ivy League bands try to make up in trendy cleverness and sophomoric humor what they lack in musical and choreographic talent, but usually they just plain suck!

[GannonFan]

It's a shame that EWU has lost its band. The Ivy League bands try to make up in trendy cleverness and sophomoric humor what they lack in musical and choreographic talent, but usually they just plain suck!


I agree - musically they suck, and almost none of the humor is remotely funny. It's basically like watching the comics portion of the Mummer's Parade in Philly, and nobody watches that part of the Parade for a reason. xthumbsupx

[MarchingMountaineer]

There was a time in our long pigskin history when the Band of Distinction garnered everyone's attention at halftime; and with the beginning of the 3rd quarter we simply returned to our socializing and libations.

The 1982 season...xnonono2x I remember it well.

[AppStsGr8]

The reason Alabama's band is called the Million Dollar Band is that there was a time (pre-Bear Bryant) when Alabama football wasn't so marvelous. The announcer noted that the football team wasn't much to talk about, but the band played like a million dollars. The name stuck.

I'm sure there have been or will be times in every school's history when the band is the best thing one can say about a football game. At Appalachian these days we're fortunate to say we've got both an awesome band and an awesome football team. GO APP!

[PhoenixSupreme]

Man, if I knew the Fire of the Carolinas was going to be dropped, I would be devastated. I was in it for all for years of college (go ahead, laugh at the band geek). The marching band was the place where I made my closest friends whom I still hang out with to this day and where I have some of the best memories (the pre-game drinking before the games :D ). There was a point before Coach Lembo arrived that Elon fans would actually leave the game at halftime because the band was done with their halftime show.

[mebisonII]

Man, if I knew the Fire of the Carolinas was going to be dropped, I would be devastated. I was in it for all for years of college (go ahead, laugh at the band geek). The marching band was the place where I made my closest friends whom I still hang out with to this day and where I have some of the best memories (the pre-game drinking before the games :D ). There was a point before Coach Lembo arrived that Elon fans would actually leave the game at halftime because the band was done with their halftime show.

I think there are lots of us on here. Possibly more former band members than former football players.

[EmeryZach]

Hopefully some old Alum will make a huge donation and get them back on the field.

[yosef1969]

There was a time in our long pigskin history when the Band of Distinction garnered everyone's attention at halftime; and with the beginning of the 3rd quarter we simply returned to our socializing and libations.

The band obviously adds something to the gameday atmosphere for some more than others. I would notice if they were no longer there but it's still better to be EWU than WWU or Iona.

I honestly can't tell you the last time I sat and watched a halftime show. Gotta get up and move about, visit the facilities,grab a BBQ sandwich, etc. I go to the game planning to watch every down of football so if sacrifices must be made it's the halftime show. I don't have any ill feelings toward the band but if I have to choose between football and the band (and apparently some programs have to at the moment) it's an easy choice for me.

[blukeys]

It's a shame that EWU has lost its band. The Ivy League bands try to make up in trendy cleverness and sophomoric humor what they lack in musical and choreographic talent, but usually they just plain suck!

Why can't Ivy leaguers learn to play musical intruments? Musically the Ivy bands are disgraceful. I don't know about trendy cleverness. If by sophomoric humor, you mean something dreamed up by a 15 year old pimply faced geek, I have to agree.

[Grizaholic17]

As EWU downsizes, Montana is busy boosting their marching band. I have enjoyed the marching band down at EWU in Cheney whenever the Griz go over there. Seeing the EWU band and the Grizzly Marching Band together in one game is something unusual for BSC games, and it will no longer be a staple of that game I guess. It's a shame

[blukeys]

As EWU downsizes, Montana is busy boosting their marching band. I have enjoyed the marching band down at EWU in Cheney whenever the Griz go over there. Seeing the EWU band and the Grizzly Marching Band together in one game is something unusual for BSC games, and it will no longer be a staple of that game I guess. It's a shame

Yes it is.

A couple of observations about bands. First there are some Delaware fans who will not miss a game with West Chester because of the quality of their band. West Chester is a school dedicated to turning out Music Education Majors and every member of the marching band is either a music major or a music education major. The WCU band has appeared at Pro Games for decades. They are one of the better college bands you will see at any level. I would rather see the Hens play Penn but the Penn band is a typical Ivy League disgrace. NO TALENT, NO MESSAGE, and NO MUSICAL ABILITY

Many UD fans look forward to any game with Umass for the musical event at the end of the game. Umass and UD bands have many connections and are willing to cooperate for a good show. After the game both bands get together for a top notch concert. About half of the Hen faithful wait in their seats for this event. The combined Hen and Umass band is a forceful and sweet sounding conglomerate.

The Umass, UD combined band event is one of the never told stories worth telling in the FCS world.