Halftime Show Volume
I sit in section 19 and could barely hear much of the halftime show, particularly the trumpet and trombone solos. I'm very disappointed we had some of the best musicians in the world playing on our field and I couldn't hear them. The only time I could really hear is when the entire ensemble of Philharmonic, chorale, band and alumni band played. Did anyone else have this same problem?
October 11th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
I guess this program is in much better shape than it has been in a while if this is what we have to complain about.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
Michigan fans aren't happy unless we have something to complain about.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
^ this
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
Hackett faces after getting ND back on the schedule?
October 11th, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
Fuck Notre Dame.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
Is it basketball season yet? #TweetsFrom2014
October 11th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
This was the only time this season the student section could hear the band, and it was because they wheeled out giant stacks of speakers for the mic'd up NY Phil/Brass section.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
Sit in section 36 was extremely happy with the fact I could hear the halftime show for the first time in my 3 years there
October 11th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
Why don't they always use them? Made for a markedly better experience.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
They cost 28,000 dollars (or something like that) to rent. The band is looking for sponsors if you would like to donate?
October 11th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
I heard Dave Brandon bought cheaper instruments to save money, and was trying to get band members to "upgrade" to louder instruments (with Adidis logo) for a $500 fee and a 2L of Coke product.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:41 AM ^
Until you mentioned Coke I was assuming this was a rumor with some validity. How sad that time was.
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
.....
October 11th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
Just a continuing issue. The band seems to be trained to sacrifice volume and presentation on the altar of finesse and technique. Not a problem with an orchestra, but not exactly what the general marching band aims for. It's gotten progressively quieter for as long as I've been going to games(94), and doesn't seem to be headed back to being loud anytime soon.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
A good friend was in the MMB back in the early '80s, and he says that finesse and technique were emphasized over volume even back then.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^
Which is why Michigan will remain an average marching band. Great musicians, but they produce a clinical, uninspired sound. Playing as an orchestra, in a hall, they would probably be great. As a marching band, it just doesn't work.
/waiting for Bando to come tell me how wrong I am
October 11th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
But I've thought since I got to UM in 1971 that frequently it's a ponderous aggregation that plays without snap or tempo. I think some of this is due to its size and the proportion of woodwinds, but I also think the selection of music is generally boring and uninspired.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Everyone has a different opinion. However, when comparing it to the bands that are nationally recognized as being outstanding, Michigan's band is lacking.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
Who was a demanding taskmaster in every respect, from the musical side to the marching-in-formation end of things. The musical advantage he had was that the vast majority of music that the band played was stuff originally written for marching or concert bands, so the translation to a large group marching around on the football field was reasonably direct.
When Revelli retired and George Cavender assumed control in '71, Broadway show tunes started becoming a standard part of the repertoire, and to say that the renditions were awful is an understatement.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
Been to the last 30 homecoming games, first time ever that I can recall that Temptation and The Hawiian War Chant was not played.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
Post game show had both. There wasn't time given the chance to present that halftime show.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^
Michigan Stadium is great for football but it's not Carnegie Hall. I was in section 23 and heard the performance "ok" but I don't expect concert hall conditions. I did think it was very good none the less.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
Was "The Yellow and Blue" played?
October 11th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
But maybe only in the post-game.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
the lamentations of Northwestern's women
October 11th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
Needs more camel punching.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Sounded great in section 22. Granted, they were aimed right at us, but I thought it was really good.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
Same here. I've never enjoyed a halftime show more than that one. So much better than the usual dork-a-thons ("Bueller? Bueller?"). It's nice to see all that talent utilized well.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
Volume was low, even in sec 23 row 50. Good show though. Temptation and Hawaiian War Chant were played by the band with alumni band after the game. We always stay for the bands after as it beats fighting traffic.
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^
they had speakers, it was glorious....
Absolutely awesome half-time show.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
I heard it loud and clear in row 87, but the band was facing our side.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
Incredible sound for most. But it's true that the other side of the stadium loses out when in concert formation. I remember feeling sorry for them. Acoustics.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
Sounded great here in Section 21. Best halftime show I have ever seen!
October 11th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^
Sound is directional and its propogation is impacted by wind direction. They have mic'd the band up for years, but that's hard to do with marching bands
October 11th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
Maybe a bit on the quiet side but could hear it easily in 13
October 11th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
I guess some people just have to find something to bitch about.
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October 11th, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^
Sort of like you taking the time to bitch about the content of this post?
October 11th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
Enjoyed it thoroughly, and on the opposite side of the field, row 41, no problem hearing the solos.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^
I wondered about that. I sit in section 12. The speakers on the cart that were brought out to enhance were pointed north and south. I wondered what the experience was like on the sidelines. From where I was able to enjoy the halftime show from, it was easily a top fiver. Considering our opponent, it also felt like the university...specifically was playing to the crowd. Does this mean that next week we should anticipate a stirring rendition of the alphabet song?
October 11th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
The struggle is real.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
I thought it was fine.
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October 11th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^
I caught the tail-end of the Ode to Joy performance on BTN, and it was awesome. It sounded great, and what a perfect song for yesterday!
October 11th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^
Interesting. My family was also in section 19 in the high 80s and heard it crystal clear.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
Heard it pretty well. They didn't have the mike on for the trumpet solo but turned it on for the rest of the show. Best show in years!