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Posted
Just now, Cowboy II said:

-how are things with the Band?

They're "meh" for now. I don't have time for a longer answer at the moment, but the discontent has kind of shifted to apathy, we don't like the situation, but we come and play and watch the dumpster fire for the men's team. We had a bunch of new students join and a bunch more drop pretty early on. It's just been a weird vibe up and down most of the season, but a lot of the alums are hanging in and hanging out after games, when we can.

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Posted
4 minutes ago, Cowboy II said:

-how are things with the Band?

 

Just now, BrettJollyComedyHour said:

They're "meh" for now. I don't have time for a longer answer at the moment, but the discontent has kind of shifted to apathy, we don't like the situation, but we come and play and watch the dumpster fire for the men's team. We had a bunch of new students join and a bunch more drop pretty early on. It's just been a weird vibe up and down most of the season, but a lot of the alums are hanging in and hanging out after games, when we can.

Mostly agree.  They're going, and that's about as best as it can be.  There was consternation right before Winter Break about not playing more of the repertoire that we have on hand, but I can attest that it was mainly due to the above, where we had a lot of new students, some bolted, most stayed, they're not used to the college band level yet, and the diminished number of alums we have on hand to fill that gap makes/made it difficult to play some of the more advanced stuff we had. Intermix that with just the current state of instrumentation make-up of the Band, and we want to sacrifice quality over quantity.  Give it a bit more time and we'll open up our library further, most likely starting next year.

Recently, I have went back and watched a couple of videos one of our guys shot back in the "Mike B Days", and it definitely sucks we lost that many folks/talent.  When we had 8-9 tubas alone, in just a massive wall of sound, it's hard to replace.  But alas, we adapt, we survive, we move on.

I will say in my conversations with Grant, he'd love if the alums that left would come back, and it's an open invitation to every single one of them at any time.  However, my guess would be that won't happen until a regime change happened due to that being one of the main catalysts for them leaving.

Other than that, we're chuggin' along (no pun intended...mostly :D).  We'll be playing the Fan Fest before tomorrow's game, then we have our annual Band Appreciation Event after the game.  We'll be going on both trips for the A10 tourney, so that's always a plus for the kids.  But yeah, it's going.  ::shrug::

Posted
4 minutes ago, SLUAvtr said:

 

Mostly agree.  They're going, and that's about as best as it can be.  There was consternation right before Winter Break about not playing more of the repertoire that we have on hand, but I can attest that it was mainly due to the above, where we had a lot of new students, some bolted, most stayed, they're not used to the college band level yet, and the diminished number of alums we have on hand to fill that gap makes/made it difficult to play some of the more advanced stuff we had. Intermix that with just the current state of instrumentation make-up of the Band, and we want to sacrifice quality over quantity.  Give it a bit more time and we'll open up our library further, most likely starting next year.

Recently, I have went back and watched a couple of videos one of our guys shot back in the "Mike B Days", and it definitely sucks we lost that many folks/talent.  When we had 8-9 tubas alone, in just a massive wall of sound, it's hard to replace.  But alas, we adapt, we survive, we move on.

I will say in my conversations with Grant, he'd love if the alums that left would come back, and it's an open invitation to every single one of them at any time.  However, my guess would be that won't happen until a regime change happened due to that being one of the main catalysts for them leaving.

Other than that, we're chuggin' along (no pun intended...mostly :D).  We'll be playing the Fan Fest before tomorrow's game, then we have our annual Band Appreciation Event after the game.  We'll be going on both trips for the A10 tourney, so that's always a plus for the kids.  But yeah, it's going.  ::shrug::

Nail on the head ^^ no more reactions, otherwise I'd like this.

Posted
22 minutes ago, Cowboy II said:

-thanks, here's to better days ahead

-apathy, such a dangerous word to have in an organization

I don't want to speak for individual feeling(s) on the situation, but I don't think it's apathy, or at least I hope it isn't.

It'll sound cheesy as hell, but the Band's heart and soul took a pretty good beating the past couple of years.  That age ole saying "time heals all" I think is applicable here, and the Band is just trying to heal itself as time goes.  Having a dismal season isn't helping heal it faster, but I believe we're back on our feet, walking, not running yet.

Those of us "seasoned" folks were ready to run full throttle and I think didn't realize we had to slow down so the new folks and Grant/Matalee could catch up (and their collective breath).  I guess we just needed to....find our rhythm?!  😉  (OK, no more Dad jokes)

Posted
6 minutes ago, SLUAvtr said:

I don't want to speak for individual feeling(s) on the situation, but I don't think it's apathy, or at least I hope it isn't.

It'll sound cheesy as hell, but the Band's heart and soul took a pretty good beating the past couple of years.  That age ole saying "time heals all" I think is applicable here, and the Band is just trying to heal itself as time goes.  Having a dismal season isn't helping heal it faster, but I believe we're back on our feet, walking, not running yet.

Those of us "seasoned" folks were ready to run full throttle and I think didn't realize we had to slow down so the new folks and Grant/Matalee could catch up (and their collective breath).  I guess we just needed to....find our rhythm?!  😉  (OK, no more Dad jokes)

Yeah, I used apathy because I've been having a bad week. I think we're in a bit of limbo and next season will probably be better (provided May and Ford are gone 😉)

  • 2 months later...
Posted

-two questions for Band members

1- with the academic year almost at a close how did it go?

2-would adding Hava Nagila to your repertoire be considered?  Ernie Hayes used to play at Blues and Cardinal games but that was a different era.

 

Posted
3 hours ago, Cowboy II said:

-two questions for Band members

1- with the academic year almost at a close how did it go?

2-would adding Hava Nagila to your repertoire be considered?  Ernie Hayes used to play at Blues and Cardinal games but that was a different era.

 

FYI, Ernie Hayes played Billiken games in the 70s and 80s, too. 

Posted
On 2/23/2024 at 3:55 PM, Cowboy II said:

-thanks, here's to better days ahead

-apathy, such a dangerous word to have in an organization

On the contrary, apathy is widespread in the corporate world where employees do what they are told to do and little more. Be assured that there is not much that is done or can be done effectively to generate enthusiasm among employees.

Posted
10 hours ago, Cowboy II said:

-two questions for Band members

1- with the academic year almost at a close how did it go?

2-would adding Hava Nagila to your repertoire be considered?  Ernie Hayes used to play at Blues and Cardinal games but that was a different era.

 

Hebrew National hot dogs need to make their presence felt in the concessions. 

Posted

Glad to hear the band arrow is pointing up!   

Posted
15 hours ago, SLUAvtr said:

So, to answer the question, at least from the alumnus perspective, this year went about as well as it could have.  The students seemed to have a great time, which was the ultimate goal, and we ended the year on one of the highest points we've had in awhile.  I know from my personal conversations with Grant, those who went on the trips and the women's NIT enjoyed themselves IMMENSELY!  We did have an end-of-the-year get together at Humps a couple of weekends ago, was well attended, and those who showed certainly enjoyed themselves.  Overall, pretty successful year and it was great to see the undergrads get excited and invested in Billiken Basketball, the Band, etc.

Now the proof in the pudding will come in the offseason and start of next year.  There will obviously be some attrition, whether it's through graduating and moving away, schedule changes, life events, etc., but it seems like we'll be retaining the vast majority of everyone for next year.  As for the alumnus that previously left during the mass exodus, time will still tell.  Grant would absolutely welcome everyone back with open arms if they want, no questions asked, but it is ultimately a personal decision for each individual to make.

In the meantime, I know we'll be doing several administrative days over the summer to gear up for next year, e.g. check on the condition of the instruments, get them fixed, organize everything, and also do a thorough inventory of the music on hand.  At the moment, the plan is to open up the repertoire of music to its fullest extent next year, now that we've seasoned a new crop of folks, which should make it just that much more fun!  And we're absolutely looking forward to next season now with our new Coach and a revamped team.

If there are other Band lurkers, please feel free to express your feelings on how you thought this year went.  As a reminder, just be cognizant of the greater audience here.  I'll try to post updates as we go through the summer when able.  On behalf of Grant, the Band, and myself, thank you all again for the support, and we're soooooo looking forward to getting started next fall and next season!

-thanks for the update and glad the news is positive

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
6 minutes ago, BrettJollyComedyHour said:

I still think the band/drum line should just have some generic NIL that goes to a fund for new instruments and repairs and just, sh*t that makes us sound and look better.

Drumline's presence at SLU soccer games is fantastic. 

Posted
2 minutes ago, billikenfan05 said:

Drumline's presence at SLU soccer games is fantastic. 

Yeah all the people I know that are in it like it a lot. Most of them come from high school MB/Drumline backgrounds, anyway, so it works.

Posted
45 minutes ago, BrettJollyComedyHour said:

I still think the band/drum line should just have some generic NIL that goes to a fund for new instruments and repairs and just, sh*t that makes us sound and look better.

I'm a big band fan and would throw some money your way.  

Posted
7 hours ago, billikenfan05 said:

Drumline's presence at SLU soccer games is fantastic. 

It will be interesting to see how the work them in at the basketball games going forward.

Posted
18 minutes ago, brianstl said:

It will be interesting to see how the work them in at the basketball games going forward.

I was surprised they hadn't. They were established and active prior to the season starting. Perhaps the general laziness that permeated the entire athletics department the last couple years led to them not even caring enough to make them part of it. 

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