Michigan Marching Band

Submitted by ontarioblue on

I for one am really disappointed that the Marching Band was not there on Saturday night.  You have a game in Primetime on ABC under the lights, and the greatest fight song in college football was silent.  Michigan is a university that is far from cash strapped.  The $100 million gift to the Athletic department from Mr. Ross, aside from the other $100 million for the business school, should have more than been enough to get the band there on Saturday.  For the university to say that financially they can't afford to send the band is just wrong.  When Ohio played at Cal a few weeks ago, their band was there and they were loud and noticeable. Michigan seems to be one of the only schools that doesn't willingly take the band with them unless some alumnist steps forward to foot the bill.  Thoughts?  

GoBlueNorth

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^

I dont click on every thread because when they're titled correctly I can generally tell wether it's a topic of interest to me or not.  If it's not.....I move on.  There are some on other boards that are just asses whenever something doesn't appeal to them.......fortunatley this board generally allows for more mature and informed dialogue.

Doc Brown

September 23rd, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^

as a former musician at Purdue and friends with many in the MMB I am getting tired of the same old whining and moaning about the MMB on this board, especially this season. This season has been great for the MMB. Pasquale has made some decent improvements in the musicality, creativity, and drill. 

GoBlueNorth

September 23rd, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^

As I recall, DB was going to keep the band from the Sugar Bowl a couple of years until there was much public outcry.   This band like everything else relies on generous alumni.......even the half time shows are sponsored.

SwordDancer710

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^

The Music School has been in a big fundraising campaign for the past several years, with some focus on the MMB and some on the North Campus facilities. Once that is done, there might be some money for funding more away trips. With ND off of the schedule, that frees up one away trip right there.

Then again, maybe we use that money to renovate Revelli.

imafreak1

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:26 PM ^

In order to have a reasonable debate (if that is even desireable on the internet), it makes sense for people to say how they think the band and aways games should be handled.

Otherwise, we just continue with the people that act like the band is more important than the football fighting with people that would rather strangle the band than listen to them.

Personally, I use halftime to pee and obsess and don't care what is happening on the field.

From reading these threads, it seems that the MMB goes to one away game and this policy has been in place for a long time. I am also led to believe that this is a widely used policy amongst other schools such as OSU (the OSU website says they "travel to several away games.")

Given those assumptions, I think the policy is fine but I am open to debate on what a better policy would be.

It is probably reasonable to send the band to extraordinary games like against Alabama last year. I don't think that UConn falls into that category.

Since I have young sons, I do not like to hear arguments like "Michigan has a ton of money so they should do this" or "I watched an OSU game and they did this (but I have no idea what they did every other week.)" Those are arguments a child makes. 

It wasn't until the budgets were set that this game was announced as a night game and on national TV. Otherwise, I don't think many would have expected the band to be there. 

 

Princetonwolverine

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^

We all know that if the band had been there we would have covered the 18 point spread. Football players get their incentive from the music. It's a proven fact. 

LSAClassOf2000

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^

If anyone is interested, here is the official policy per the bands "Information For Parents" site (LINK):

"All MMB members attend all home football games. The performance block will attend one or two away games each year, depending on the schedule. (generally Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State) Bowl travel is decided once Michigan’s bowl destination has been established."

fergodssake

September 23rd, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^

In case you aren't aware, the Northwestern game this year will (might, could be, was supposed to be, has (had) a chance of being) be a big deal. The Chicago market is huge for Michigan from an alumni perspective and recruiting perspective. That stadium is a mausoleum. Half the fans will be wearing maize & blue. I am pretty sure the university can afford a couple of buses to ship the band to Evanston. I'll tell you what...have one fewer "flybys" at the next night game or one less sky writing over East Lansing and SEND THE BAND!



SwaggLikeUs

September 23rd, 2013 at 2:07 PM ^

Why not just have an MMB away team made up of the seniors and/or select underclassmen first chairs? 50-60 members tops, cuts down on the travel costs and still large enough to be heard during the game and on TV.