@gros-louis The can be just as good as Ahia if the prioity is set. IU has better musicians than anyone, it it just a matter of priority
@courtsense I think it’s more of a philosophical issue. When I was a member of the Hundred, in a different era to be sure, the focus was on musicianship and technique over blowing out the eardrums of the people in the cheap seats. Most normies are impressed by the latter, and that’s where I believe most of the criticism comes from. I do get it even if I don’t think it’s particularly fair. And maybe it is changing. Hard to tell from afar…
Out of curiosity, I Googled rankings for the Best music schools and IU's Jacobs School of Music was consistently recognized as one of the top 5 schools in the country.... (ok, Niche.com had them 39th but I'll play this like an Olympic judge and throw out the low score).... and, at worst, IU was in the Top 3 in the B1G behind Northwestern and Michigan....... The BEST showing for Ohio State was 95th nationally and 11th in the B1G.... OSU was beat in their home state by UC and one other....
My question is, why is OSU's band considered so much better (entertainment wise anyway) than IU's and most other bands when their music school seems to merely be and after-thought to OSU's adim? Even though the Jacobs School of Music is well thought of it still might be time for Dolson to take over running just the band operations so the quality will match what's on the football field.... I'd hope IU would start upping their game considerably...
Don't confuse musicality and quality of music with the entertainment of a marching band. Of course they must be able to play well enough that you can recognize a tune but sitting in an outdoor stadium you cannot tell what the quality of the music is.Out of curiosity, I Googled rankings for the Best music schools and IU's Jacobs School of Music was consistently recognized as one of the top 5 schools in the country.... (ok, Niche.com had them 39th but I'll play this like an Olympic judge and throw out the low score).... and, at worst, IU was in the Top 3 in the B1G behind Northwestern and Michigan....... The BEST showing for Ohio State was 95th nationally and 11th in the B1G.... OSU was beat in their home state by UC and one other....
My question is, why is OSU's band considered so much better (entertainment wise anyway) than IU's and most other bands when their music school seems to merely be and after-thought to OSU's adim? Even though the Jacobs School of Music is well thought of it still might be time for Dolson to take over running just the band operations so the quality will match what's on the football field.... I'd hope IU would start upping their game considerably...
The entertainment factor for a marching band is much different. Do they use good marching fundamentals that make their step look lively? Are their lines straight and their formations crisp and interesting? Are their shows designed well with interesting themes and fun music to match? How are their shows designed and are they interesting? Are the flags and other peripherals used and are they top notch (hint the IU flags are new but are terrible). There is probably a lot more that goes into an entertaining marching band performance that I’m missing. Do they have the biggest drum in the world that is not really? oh never mind……
Out of curiosity, I Googled rankings for the Best music schools and IU's Jacobs School of Music was consistently recognized as one of the top 5 schools in the country.... (ok, Niche.com had them 39th but I'll play this like an Olympic judge and throw out the low score).... and, at worst, IU was in the Top 3 in the B1G behind Northwestern and Michigan....... The BEST showing for Ohio State was 95th nationally and 11th in the B1G.... OSU was beat in their home state by UC and one other....
My question is, why is OSU's band considered so much better (entertainment wise anyway) than IU's and most other bands when their music school seems to merely be and after-thought to OSU's adim? Even though the Jacobs School of Music is well thought of it still might be time for Dolson to take over running just the band operations so the quality will match what's on the football field.... I'd hope IU would start upping their game considerably...
Jacob's students aren't "band kids." They're looking for gigs with orchestras and operas and the like. We're talking oboes and violins and sopranos. Just because there's music involved doesn't mean there's any crossover involved.
Marching band can come just fine from the general student body. Dont need to be elite on the instrument, just good and willing to work.
Uncle Mark..... "Jacob's students aren't "band kids." They're looking for gigs with orchestras and operas and the like. We're talking oboes and violins and sopranos. Just because there's music involved doesn't mean there's any crossover involved."
Okay, I understand... but, while Jacob's students might not be "band kids" the lack of a quality band whether it's musically, marching fundamentals, flags... etc., is still a reflection of the quality of the music school in the eyes of most all "non-music" people I know... Actually, the lack of crossover can't be assumed by the average fan watching a football game. If music is being performed at games by students I'd think the music school would want to have some direction over the quality.
Okay, I understand... but, while Jacob's students might not be "band kids" the lack of a quality band whether it's musically, marching fundamentals, flags... etc., is still a reflection of the quality of the music school in the eyes of most all "non-music" people I know...
Jacobs doesn't care.
It's two different worlds. Think physics and accounting -- there's a lot of math used in both, but that's the extent of the similarity.
The band looked and sounded great this year. They just need a few more members, which I imagine will be easier to attract now.
A Tribute to Cole Porter will always send fans to the pass out gate
A loud, full, brassy and percussive sound is a big part of the excitement of a marching band at a football game. With dramatic marching elements. I have to say the years when I heard a lot of talk about 'musicianship' and 'technique' we had a few snoozers of shows.@courtsense I think it’s more of a philosophical issue. When I was a member of the Hundred, in a different era to be sure, the focus was on musicianship and technique over blowing out the eardrums of the people in the cheap seats. Most normies are impressed by the latter, and that’s where I believe most of the criticism comes from. I do get it even if I don’t think it’s particularly fair. And maybe it is changing. Hard to tell from afar…
What technique? Many other schools marching was more impressive than ours. Technique is the flair of the marching in the show, and brass and percussion. Sorry to the woodwind marchers (I was one in high school, saxophone, but not at Indiana.) but you guys are much less important.
I don't think our band ever was poor. It's always been reasonably OK. Talk of being poor was misguided.
Anyway, maybe it was just the design of this years show, but probably just the fact that they got more TV airtime when I was watching, but this year was good. I enjoyed it. Thanks to those kids! Appreciated.
I've said it before; I'll say it again. Go find a director from an HBCU school and turn them loose. Tons of excitement before, during and after the game.
@openwheel I don't think it was ever "poor", but just somthing that didn't teurn the fans on in that specific environment.