Band halftime
November 20th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
considering the game in progress, it seems fitting.
November 20th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
You booed the band? wow
November 20th, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^
November 20th, 2010 at 3:41 PM ^
You never boo the band. End of story.
November 20th, 2010 at 3:47 PM ^
What about if they play "I hate Walruses" dressed up as poachers?
/s
November 20th, 2010 at 3:51 PM ^
Who has time for booing when you're rushing for cover?
November 20th, 2010 at 3:51 PM ^
do NOT pick the music. The directors do. Way to go for booing, especially during the last home game for some band members.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
I would cheer for this.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
I am a band nerd (competed in mcba and BOA). That show today was almost as bad as the opera show...I wish I had a flask of anything high content to get me through the train wreck of halftime and the first half of football.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
I'm surprised that a self proclaimed band nerd hated the opera show. That's exactly the sort of show that I would expect someone who had marching band experience to appreciate more than the rest of the stadium.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
the opera show was god awful from a drill point of view and the arrangement was a frinken disaster. I don't like shows bands like Delaware state, but they completely showed up the MMB.
Today was almost as bad. I am not a fan of boerma. i think his arrangements are overly complicated for a marching band. perhaps they would work for DCI, but not the MMB. I long for the days of Nix.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
Fair enough. I still disagree, but at least it's for something other than "hurr durr, band is dumb".
November 21st, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^
...from '89 - '92, which most folks here won't recall -- especially the band. It does, however, for those who DO remember, mean I was part of the Gloria Estefan show. That one deserved to be booed.
I was terribly concerned about this show going in, and it actually came off better than I expected. That being said, it was never going to be great. The mood in the stadium didn't help either.
I didn't boo yesterday (and likely wouldn't boo the band ever). However, I told my non-band roommates at the time that the Estefan show would suck and it did. I wouldn't have been surprised OR disappointed to be booed.
November 20th, 2010 at 2:27 PM ^
At least it wasn't blues again....
November 20th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
booing the band. You don't like the show, you go to the bathroom or concession stand, or you put on your headphones and crank your iPod. But don't boo the band. That's just plain dumb.
November 20th, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^
The band plays a variety of shows in order to please everyone.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:01 PM ^
Made the game only the second worst thing I saw today.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
As my fiancée quoth: "This show is genius really. A subtle little message from the music directors to stop complaining about the rawk, because they can and will make it worse."
Also booing the band is lame. Positive reenforcement is the way to go. When the music selection is good, get up and sing and dance. When the music selection is bad, check scores on your phone or go get a pretzel. If a 110,000 people are silent or golf clapping at best that gets the message about the music across without having to actually boo Michigan students. Then find the band director's email on UMOD and inform him his music selection is terrible.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
Go poop?
November 20th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
They could have played Lady Gaga two weeks straight, including 9/11. Oh, wait a second...
But really, you shouold never boo the band. I'm not always a big fan of the stuff they are playing either, but that's not up to them. Just try to think of it this way. We need to have a bad show or two to make up for the 100% pure awesome of stuff like the Oz show so we don't make everyone else's band look terrible.
Also, I'm sure you've booed the opposing team at some point.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:27 PM ^
Is it really still not OK to have fun on 9/11? I do it anyway.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
Apparently you took that to mean its not okay to not think about America for 24 hours on 9/11. I meant that to be added reason not to do a show based on someone who makes music European DJs have been making for over a decade and sells it because she dresses as skimply as she can not get in legal trouble for.
November 20th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
how any of what you just cited is incompatible with America?
November 20th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
Then you're really not gonna like the next two shows. Gaga is going to OSU and likely to the bowl game as well. That makes 4 performances of Gaga in one season.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
You really booed the band? Really? People who work hard to entertain you, and you're not a fan of the music choice, so you go out and BOO them?
Today was my last game in Michigan stadium as a marching band member. I have been, for the past 4 years, surrounded by bar none, the best fans in the stadium. I played the Victors at the end of The Horror. I stayed, clutching a freezing metal instrument, through not only all of Northwestern 2008, but after for postgame. I stand up the entire game, get loud for my team, and never, EVER boo our players. The people around me do the same. The Michigan Marching Band are the fans you all claim to be, and not because we have to-- we all chose to do this. We put in hours of work, get up at 6 AM on saturday mornings, and spend our entire fall working on making the stadium atmosphere at Michigan Stadium special. It's good to know that after 4 years of playing the Victors for you, of playing those halftime shows you loved, of playing as you sang the Yellow and Blue, of supporting our team when you left, that you booed me in my last appearance on that field.
You're an embarrassment to the fan base, and I sincerely hope you are not an alumni or student at this university, because it would embarrass me to have to call you a Michigan Man.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
I came to say all of this, but it appears as if I've been beaten to the punch.
Ditto everything ajh said. We work our asses off not because we're geeks or because were band nerds. We put in nearly 15 hours of work every week because we love Michigan and everything about it, and we try our damned hardest to put on a good show every week for you people. If you don't like our shows take a walk, but at least treat us with some respect.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
I think I would have begged, borrowed and stolen to get them to choose a different halftime show. It's like expecting to play Ohio State for your last game, and getting Toledo instead.
November 20th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^
I didn't boo. I did go outside though.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^
You don't have to. Even if he's a student or alum, you don't have to call him a Michigan Man. Michigan Men are all in, and that means ALL in. Religious men don't boo the choir in church if they sing a song they don't like. Michigan Men don't boo in our place of worship, unless it's booing the devil (osu, opponents, etc)
And if you don't like my analogy, well whatever. Don't boo me for it.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
After every game I wander over to the student section to listen to the MMB post-game... this year even more as my son is a freshman and, I hope, future MMB member. You kick butt every single game, no matter what the weather, no matter what the score, no matter what the lame "pretend fans" might say about the music or the drill. The MMB is the constant fixture at the Big House, and don't ever let anyone... ever... diminish what you do and what you've done. To you and all the MMB Seniors.... congratuations on being the spirit of the Blue.
November 21st, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
November 21st, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
I don't know, while I'm not a fan of that genre of music I always like hearing band adaptations of songs I've heard before. I think you're just being a gigantic dick because you didn't like the choice of music, but to say the show was shitty is your opinion. I know all the 18-20 something year old girls in the crowd were into the it (and hey, most of them don't know shit about football... so at least they get a halftime show).
November 21st, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
"First of all, I feel like most of the stuff you have said is complete and utter horsehsit."
A solid and convincing first point.
I realize the band members do not ultimately decide the music they play, but they are ultimately the ones who play it. Not to take anything away from a spazz such as yourself or other band members, but the boos were directed at the program director."
So you think the band members should have what? Refused to play popular music from a few years ago as a matter of principle? Revolted en masse against the band leadership for having the audacity to plan a show they know some people will not enjoy?
And how are people to know your boos are "directed at the program director"? As the lasrgest and most prominant thing in the stadium during halftime, your boos were almost certainly interpreted as being directed toward the students (which coincidentally, is great reason to not boo, and instead express your criticism of the band's leadership in a more targeted manner, for instance, with an email.)
And ultimately, your ad hominem abuse (spazz) is ultimately childish and irrelevent.
I would also like to add, you do not know me. I am an alum and care about this team very deeply. It really pisses me off to see someone call out my fandom for briefly booing what had to have been the worst half time show I have ever seen at michigan stadium.
This came on the heels of people booing the team at the end of the first half. What do you have to say about that? I assume since you are in the band, you're more okay with that than people booing your shitty halftime show.
Now you were only "briefly booing", saying this intending to soften the harshness of the action. Either you were booing or you weren't. If you're going to defend your actions do so; don't pretend they are something less than they are.
And another point, you proclaim to "care about this team very deeply," while in your next breath defending those who booed them off the field at the half? I believe what you meant to say is, "I care very deeply that
Anyway, thanks for your opinion. I hope it was worth it.
I'm honestly curious what is meant by this. "I hope it was worth it." Are you referring to his expresing of his opinion, or the fact that he took the time to write out a clear and articulate response to your original post, or perhaps that he aided and cooperated in producing "what had to have been the worst half time show [you] have ever seen at michigan stadium"?
In any case, you were clearly attempting to be condescending, despite your utter failure to refute his claims (as documented above), settling instead on juvenile insults and rationalizations for your behavior. You chose to harass and insult college students who spend an absurd amount of their time and energy attempting to improve your gameday experience. Alumni or no, you're damn sure no Michigan Man.
Anyway, thanks for this post. I hope it was worth it.
November 21st, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
In any case, you were clearly attempting to be condescending, despite your utter failure to refute his claims (as documented above)
Refute his claims of what? He went on a rant about how hard the band works and how they should not be booed. I cannot refute how hard the band works. I understand how hard they work. I had a Poli Sci GSI my sophomore year who was the biggest bitch on the face of the earth and she had some sort of band responsibility she was always bitching about.
The players work even harder, and they were booed not 5 minutes prior to the band playing. Again - why is that OK? Is it OK? Please someone explain this to me (might have been discussed in another thread).
Anyway, I could rip your post limb from limb but don't want to waste the time. Big weekend in Ann Arbor, that was great outside of the first half of the game / halftime show. Cannot complain otherwise. AA is still a classy broad. Time to take a nap and get ready for work tomorrow. To all the band members out there - again... not booing you guys - but that director of yours... wow. Fire him please.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
Student section loved the show. They loved Lady Gaga too.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
Lady Gaga was a huge hit, Boy bands a fews years ago was also a hit. Why should we have expected this one to be any different? It's not like we can put on a show like Cody Martin's Day Off or The Wizard of OZ every week.
Be glad we put on a new show for every home game. It's not at all uncommon for bands to only put on 2 or 3 different shows a year and repeat them every week.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^
I actually wish the MMB went to corps style program. I went to Furman University a few weeks ago (home of Jay Bocook) and they are performing a glee show this season with some gaga in it. The quality of the drill and arrangement was much higher than the MMB's show. I was completely blown away by Furman's band.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^
So you would rather the MMB work on one show the entire season so they can make it technically challenging than a new show each week?
November 21st, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
yeppers.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
I was in the student section and the people in our general area didn't boo, but some of us shook our heads and sat there in stunned disbelief. The guy behind me couldn't believe it. But considering the team played like girls in the 1st half, the theme was appropriate, I guess.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
Correction: Students voted on halftime shows they wanted for this season last year. This "girl power" show was the second most requested by the students, first being Gaga. However, booing us on the field for our LAST home game this year (and last forever for our Seniors) was classless. I felt embarrassed to be on the field at halftime, and not just because of the show. We work our ass off every week. If you don't like the show, go to the concessions or something.
Edit: Also beaten to the punch.
November 21st, 2010 at 6:39 PM ^
As I said in a post above, I've never bood the band, nor do I think I would.
When I was in the MMB, there were all sorts of different motivations for people being in the band.
Some were music majors who wanted a different performance experience.
Some were marching band members from high school who wanted to continue to be marching band members in college. The show, and their part in it, was their priority.
Others wanted to be part of a spirit group.
For me, it was the best way I could express my love for the team. And the school. And I know I've spent more time on the field in the Rose Bowl than many football PLAYERS ever get to.
Regardless, my point: No matter what your motivation, don't *ever* let someone else's actions make you feel embarrassed about YOUR accomplishments and contribution. It is almost twenty years later and people STILL ask me about my time in the MMB and realize how special an experience it was. You get to keep your memories for the rest of your life.
November 20th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
People suck i guess. Don't let the dirtbags ruin the experience. The band was great and a good break from the crap tackling on the field!
November 20th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
I don't really blame the band, because they somehow managed to make a "Girl Power" themed halftime show sound decent. It was moreso that the music choices were fairly embarrassing, as well as playing Britney Spears music videos on the scoreboards. At this point, I turned to my friend and said, "Something isn't right here today."
November 20th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
Yeah Britney on the scoreboard really killed me as well. I'm only in my mid 20s, I'm definitely not a blue hair but I love the classical atmosphere of Michigan stadium. No double deck, no ads, no dome. Just the same bowl Yost built, the same freezing weather and an option offense on the field. You can feel the history there. The place wasn't that different when my parents went here (well more hippies and they could sneak liquor in with less hassle I'm told).
It's this throwback, this legacy that began before me and will endure when I leave. Having Britney or Gaga, two the most artificial singers out there, suddenly pop up just kind of kills that buzz for me.
I can get my commercialized crap the rest of the year, give me some nice classic home games. I'd start doing that freaking train chant we do on alumni day before I'd want to see more Britney.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
If you boo the band, I punch you in the eye. Fair deal?
November 20th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Generally the MMB halftime show is my favorite part of the day. A coulple weeks ago the Wizard of Oz show was probably the best I've seen in my entire life.
But today the half time show was lacking. I didn't boo or anything but the show seemed to fit the mood of the game at the time, which may have slanted my view of the show as a whole.
November 20th, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^
fine, then go get a pretzel and don't watch/listen. But booing the band? Off limits. They're just doing their job, and probably the most loyal of all Michigan fans in that damn stadium.
Did they not just field an awesome halftime skit Wizard of Oz show 2 weeks ago? Not everyone is going to like every show, that's just reality. It's hard to please 100,000 fans at once.
November 20th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^
The MMB works too hard to get booed. Sorry, until you've spent 4 years on Elbel and known what it's like to be a senior at Michigan Stadium in your last halftime show, you have absolutely no right to boo these kids.