|
Post by durenduren on Jul 17, 2018 11:07:45 GMT -5
Alright, gang. It's July, and the season is around the corner, so let's get down to talking shop...
After some discussions, the University's leadership has prioritized bringing back the band. While there are still many unknowns, a small network of faculty, staff, and alumni (myself included) have received firm word that we're going to have a band again.
Change is required though, and it won't be the band many of you griped about or even played in. So I'm turning to the most-outspoken, salty curmudgeons I could think of for suggestions & support.
While we're still sorting out funding and identity, let me know what you want changed. What worked? What didn't work? Anything at all... This is your chance.
For starters, we're hoping that pep band participation will be offered for credit, as a powerful incentive to drive student membership. We're also going to be looking for a qualified band director, as well as hoping to establish a modest scholarship - let's say $500 - for a worthy student each year. I'll get more specifics on the scholarship as it becomes available.
Alright, time to give La Salle's pep band all of your money & ideas, guys. But seriously, thanks for all of your help - we're going to need lots of support to get this ship sailing, but I know this is a great spot to start soliciting ideas.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 13:05:10 GMT -5
While I never played in the pep band I think that would be great. love the idea and thank you for working on it. Is there something along the lines with the class credit that in the class catalogue could include a clause that it includes a trip or trips with the MBB team (A10s and NCAA tournament). If something like that is called out and advisors/faculty know that is something that could increase enrollment/participation I think that would be great. I'm not writing the catalogs but if A10s included some music trip as well for students. Be it radio City musical hall, some concert in AC, etc. I think that could be a great selling point.
I love the idea and would happily support, albeit not in a drastic financial way, a good plan with thorough ideas would definitely incentivize me to give and hopefully others as well.
|
|
|
Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 17, 2018 13:06:16 GMT -5
Thanks. You're right. I'm gonna put some thought into it instead of trying to immediately come up with something. 'cause it is important.
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jul 17, 2018 13:06:42 GMT -5
I like this game. Great job. - Update the setlist. Prioritize adding something new each week or month. Something recognizable from this decade. Classics are fine. Can't go to the "You can call me Al" page every week.
- Make it recognizable. I know that they're in the middle of the stands to not be right behind a bench. but move it up in a corner or something. Make that the band area. Make it a party zone.
- Make it mandatory (or close): Having 20 members one week and 3 members the next is stupid.
- Make it fun. Some movements. Some craziness. Be 10% of what VCU does.
- Get sponsored! Have a charity drive. I'll give some money if I can see what's coming.
|
|
|
Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 17, 2018 13:13:21 GMT -5
BTW, durenduren - If you ever stop using your G headbanger avatar, I will not support you in any fashion. That thing still breaks me up every time I see it. (sorta like the birdhouse thing).
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jul 17, 2018 14:35:55 GMT -5
I forgot something...and I don't know if this is a band thing or not...but I'd love La Salle to have something specific that is done before every home game.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jul 17, 2018 14:48:37 GMT -5
For credit is interesting. It might intimidate some who think they aren't musical enough, so they'd just have to manage that message carefully. Financial incentives are also helpful. I wonder if it could be setup like a work-study thing, or if that makes it too "job-like".
What's the budget? Years ago I donated to the band, so if we need to solicit donations from ex-band members, we should get on that.
I might institute a "points-based" system where you get X number of points for each event you play over and above a minimum amount (can they get the band at women's basketball and/or volleyball games - some schools do that). Agree with Joe's statement about it being mandatory...or as close to mandatory as you can get it. Attendance at practice and games was tracked when I was there, and attendance meant you got to go to things that were more limited (like a tournament in Japan one year and NCAAs).
Obviously all that is ideal and we are starting from scratch again, so some of it might not work for years out...
Also..put them right in the middle of the student section...not below it (or behind the baskets when we get those seats).
Work with the admissions office to give some high school kids who express interest in La Salle and are in the band an opportunity to come to a game and sit in and perform if they want. I remember getting a letter from Brother Tom my senior year of high school telling me about the band and inviting me to the spring concert to hear them. That type of outreach gets kids more interested.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jul 17, 2018 15:13:57 GMT -5
I forgot something...and I don't know if this is a band thing or not...but I'd love La Salle to have something specific that is done before every home game. Honor an "Explorer Town member of the game" with court-side seats?
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jul 17, 2018 15:18:42 GMT -5
Here's a whole host of suggestions from other schools: www.nacda.com/sports/nacma/spec-rel/030205aaa.htmlAlso...I remember it was treated sort of like a varsity sport...we received the same awards that the student-athletes received - a varsity letter, a jacket, a blanket, etc. That made it nice. Not sure if it was still done that way in later years.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jul 17, 2018 15:26:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by coachd on Jul 17, 2018 15:39:12 GMT -5
I forgot something...and I don't know if this is a band thing or not...but I'd love La Salle to have something specific that is done before every home game. Honor an "Explorer Town member of the game" with court-side seats? Yep, you could sit in press row where there used to be actual writers for what they called newspapers in the old days!
|
|
|
Post by blueandgold on Jul 17, 2018 19:07:23 GMT -5
Whatever happens, don't pay ringers with no student/alumni affiliation again. To me that was one of the final nails in the coffin for the band of old. You either pay everyone or no one.
I also strongly support that the band be fun / enthusiastic - students are key to that, and the enthusiasm definitely varied year to year and even game to game.
Moving the band back a few rows to be more in the middle of the students is interesting if the facilities folks could somehow figure out a safe and electrically feasible way to hook it up (including drum platform like we had when we were at the top of the stands, where the band should never be ever again).
|
|
|
Post by blueandgold on Jul 17, 2018 19:10:18 GMT -5
Also - you know exactly where to find me. Anything I can do to help, I'm in. This cause is near and dear to my heart.
|
|
|
Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 17, 2018 20:31:20 GMT -5
Just a very quick tidbit of thought. Could we arrange it so we have a bass drum about three times as loud and even more in the lower registers than the st. joe's bass drum? (I hate to praise them, but it's not bad. I always thought it was sort of cool). I mean, we could come up with an original pattern/beat for it.
|
|
MisterD
The Baptist Himself
Voted Most Popular Poster 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Posts: 8,441
Member is Online
Likes: 6,366
|
Post by MisterD on Jul 17, 2018 21:20:21 GMT -5
Have you ever heard of an obscure rock song called “Seven Nation Army”? Because I think that might sound good at a sporting event.
|
|
|
Post by durenduren on Jul 18, 2018 10:56:48 GMT -5
Thanks all, and I'm not surprised you're bringing worth-while suggestions to the table. As this evolves, and we start answering many of the unknowns, I'll attempt to provide as many updates as possible.
I can promise just one thing - "You Can Call Me Al" is dead, if it's the last thing I do.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jul 18, 2018 12:15:29 GMT -5
Thanks all, and I'm not surprised you're bringing worth-while suggestions to the table. As this evolves, and we start answering many of the unknowns, I'll attempt to provide as many updates as possible. I can promise just one thing - "You Can Call Me Al" is dead, if it's the last thing I do. I wish that had been on the set list when I was there. We had Louie Louie and Happy Days Are Here Again in heavy rotation.
|
|
|
Post by blueandgold on Jul 18, 2018 14:00:08 GMT -5
Thanks all, and I'm not surprised you're bringing worth-while suggestions to the table. As this evolves, and we start answering many of the unknowns, I'll attempt to provide as many updates as possible. I can promise just one thing - "You Can Call Me Al" is dead, if it's the last thing I do. Okay, Al!
|
|
|
Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 18, 2018 15:01:15 GMT -5
If we are talking about prerecorded music, I submit Mott the Hoople's "One of the Boys". It starts out with an old-style analogue phone ringing, and then breaks into a super guitar riff before the vocals enter. Guitar riff courtesy of Mick Ralphs (later of Bad Company), vocals by Ian Hunter.
|
|
|
Post by calsufan on Jul 18, 2018 15:36:18 GMT -5
If we are talking about prerecorded music, I submit Mott the Hoople's "One of the Boys". It starts out with an old-style analogue phone ringing, and then breaks into a super guitar riff before the vocals enter. Guitar riff courtesy of Mick Ralphs (later of Bad Company), vocals by Ian Hunter. Come to think of it, "All the Young Dudes" would be a great song with a horn section.
|
|
|
Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 18, 2018 15:46:12 GMT -5
If we are talking about prerecorded music, I submit Mott the Hoople's "One of the Boys". It starts out with an old-style analogue phone ringing, and then breaks into a super guitar riff before the vocals enter. Guitar riff courtesy of Mick Ralphs (later of Bad Company), vocals by Ian Hunter. Come to think of it, "All the Young Dudes" would be a great song with a horn section. Yes, during the Freddie Mercury Memorial concert David Bowie played sax as Ian Hunter did All the Young Dudes.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Oct 9, 2018 7:56:59 GMT -5
Any update on this? Last I heard was in mid-August when someone asked me for money for this and I said I wanted to see what the money was going toward before writing a check. It's been crickets and tumbleweeds on this topic since mid-August but I'm preparing to give my annual donation as I always do in Q4 and am curious if there's a plan before I designate any portion of it to this.
|
|
|
Post by durenduren on Oct 9, 2018 11:09:04 GMT -5
Any update on this? Last I heard was in mid-August when someone asked me for money for this and I said I wanted to see what the money was going toward before writing a check. It's been crickets and tumbleweeds on this topic since mid-August but I'm preparing to give my annual donation as I always do in Q4 and am curious if there's a plan before I designate any portion of it to this. I'm hopeful either myself or someone else can provide an update shortly. I'll be on campus today, and I'll have an opportunity to get some more information on this topic. Hardly a guarantee, but I know there are hopes to relaunch the band for conference play.
|
|
|
Post by GlitterBro #2 on Jan 17, 2019 9:34:58 GMT -5
I guess this was fake news?
|
|
|
Post by calsufan on Jan 17, 2019 13:46:43 GMT -5
I guess this was fake news? The Explorertown Message Board, where...
|
|
|
Post by Happy Fortune on Jan 17, 2019 14:24:39 GMT -5
The DJ was particularly brutal vs. GW - can they not be bad song mashups?
|
|
MisterD
The Baptist Himself
Voted Most Popular Poster 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Posts: 8,441
Member is Online
Likes: 6,366
|
Post by MisterD on Jan 17, 2019 14:30:18 GMT -5
I'm willing to do a guest spot of "00s indie hits guaranteed to keep everyone in their seats but if you look closely a handful are pretty happy with what they're hearing".
|
|
|
Post by JoeFedorowicz on Jan 17, 2019 17:06:14 GMT -5
I'm willing to do a guest spot of "00s indie hits guaranteed to keep everyone in their seats but if you look closely a handful are pretty happy with what they're hearing". The foolproof strategy of appealing to the extreme few.
|
|
MisterD
The Baptist Himself
Voted Most Popular Poster 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Posts: 8,441
Member is Online
Likes: 6,366
|
Post by MisterD on Jan 17, 2019 17:31:03 GMT -5
I'd argue that's a good thing when I'm personally inside the few.
|
|
|
Pep Band
Jan 17, 2019 17:41:24 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by durenduren on Jan 17, 2019 17:41:24 GMT -5
I guess this was fake news? Fake news. Thanks for your support.
|
|