LadderCrew17 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I recently asked this in the thread about the removal of sections in the uperdeck. Seeing that a few others are also asking the same thing, as mentioned in the thread about the Funky Four, I figured I'd start a separate thread and not derail those other threads. I noticed something during Sunday’s home opener that I was disappointed with. It’s not how the team performed, as they played well and made me optimistic about the rest of the season. However, I am concerned about the lack of musical performance by another team. It appears as if the marching band has been demoted and replaced by a recording. After three of the four Graham Gano PAT's on Sunday a recording of “Hail to the Redskins” was played instead of the band performing it. The marching band did play HTTR after each touchdown, but it was only the first chorus. We have a Hall of Fame marching band that lives to play the oldest and most well known NFL fight song and instead the band sits idol while someone plays a recording. You know who else plays a recording of their fight song? The freakin' Eagles! (Plus a number of other teams, like Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota; but I figured the Eagles reference would resonate a bit more.) Listening to that recording, even though it was HTTR, gave me the vibe of being at another team’s stadium. It’s not the same without the band. Frequent ES poster SonnyandSam made a valid point that sometimes it's hard to hear the band, so folks' timing is off when it comes to singing. I agree with him on that, and I beleive the video is a good idea. But the band has to play the song. It's not the same when its a recording. If rock bands can sync video to their live concert performance, I'm sure they can do the same with the band and that video. Some sort of communication link (which I believe they already have) should be used so that the band director and video operator can start both at the same time. The video would have to be sped up just a bit as the tempo of that old recording is slow, compared to the tempo of the marching band. I have sent an e-mail to the team, though I don't expect them to change it based on just one person's comments. And the season won't be ruined for me if they keep it this way. What happens on the field is most important. But the marching band is one of many things that make the Washington Redskins unique. Let’s keep this tradition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFKFedEx Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Snyder should beef up the band to a college level. Yes, he would have to pay people, but it would drastically improve the gameday experience. The atmosphere would be way better w/ natural music rather than the tired DJ crap you hear in every other pro sporting venue. The band also needs to move back down to the lower level where they matter. I can't even see the band in the club party decks these days bc their unis camo into the burgundy walls behind them. Sadly, the band doesn't matter right now and that needs to change. I understand we have a volunteer corp and I have utmost respect for what they do, but the days a free game ticket being an incentive to be in the band are long over. Watching the LSU game on tv right now makes me long for the potential an awesome band could have in the pros. We'd be the only team w/ a killer band, Screw the marching Colts/Ravens, we were first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubbs Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Snyder should beef up the band to a college level. Yes, he would have to pay people, but it would drastically improve the gameday experience. The atmosphere would be way better w/ natural music rather than the tired DJ crap you here in every other pro sporting venue. The band also needs to move back down to the lower level where they matter. I can't even see the band in the club party decks these days bc their unis camo into the burgundy walls.Sadly, the band doesn't matter right now and that needs to change. I understand we have a volunteer corp and I have utmost respect for what they do, but the days a free game ticket being an incentive to be in the band are long over. Watching the LSU game on tv right now makes me long for the potential an awesome band could have in the pros. We'd be the only team w/ a killer band, Screw the marching Colts/Ravens, we were first. I actually think that this is a fantastic idea. It would definitely be a way to stand out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I love the band. I love the fact we even have a band. It's old school football. It should be preserved. We have a tradition. Lets keep it. ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerryMason Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 It is hard to hear them huh.....ya know a while back they invented this thing called a microphone. I'm not sure why they don't just have the band mic'd up and feed into the stadium's sound system. Wouldn't that make things easier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 It is hard to hear them huh.....ya know a while back they invented this thing called a microphone. I'm not sure why they don't just have the band mic'd up and feed into the stadium's sound system. Wouldn't that make things easier? Doesn;t sound as good as a large band. I'm all for the large band. Lets start a petition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemoveSnyder Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I noticed it too during the game. I thought to myself, "what happened to the band?' Then I posed myself another question, 'Do you see the light?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No_Pressure Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I noticed it too during the game. I thought to myself, "what happened to the band?'Then I posed myself another question, 'Do you see the light?' Uhh...? My video won't work .........The band, Elwood. The band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s0crates Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 .........The band, Elwood. The band. :bluesbros: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Sadly, the band doesn't matter right now and that needs to change. I understand we have a volunteer corp and I have utmost respect for what they do, but the days a free game ticket being an incentive to be in the band are long over. I didn't get to many games in the RFK days but the band was awesome in the early days of FedEx when they were on the sideline and seemed to participate in the game more. Seems since 2000 (the first year where Snyder was relevant, since he either couldn't or didn't screw around much with the stadium operations in 1999) the band has become less and less relevant. It is weird how they gave the band their token "HTTR" after the one TD (of course, they'll always play it before the game on the field) while using the recording the other three times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFKFedEx Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Even with the band mic'd up, they still sound weak today. They were definitely louder in the old days, back in 09 when they were still in the 200 level. Our band doesn't have enough pieces to produce that powerful organic sound you get from the good college bands. If I had my way, I'd fill the first 15 rows of section 111 with band personnel. Just the way they do with the big time college games at FedEx. The STHs in 111 today could be relocated quite easily given the number of endzone vacancies the TO has had to fill over the past few off seasons. The band needs to become a paid position. There are not enough perks for our volunteer core to put forth the time and effort needed these days, and I don't blame them for their weakness. The Marching Ravens are now better than the Redskins band and it pisses me off. I'm reminded of their prominence every time I watch a home Ravens game and I see them down in the front rows of the endzone at M&T Bank Stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampEm Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 How many people are in a big time college band? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aspkikn Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 yea but putting a larger band in seats that can be sold would lower revenue ... unless I missed something, that's not gonna happen regardless of the complaining with this owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pez Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I have talked to a couple members of the band, and they all felt like they would not be around much longer... I hope this is not the case, as this is absolutely one of the greatest features of our team and should be held in high regard. Last year when the Redskins asked Huly and I to help put on the pep rally (for the Dallas game at the beginning of the season) one of the things they did was to create really nice rings to recognize long time members (some of which have been in the band 40-50 years)... I just don't know what is going to happen... I prefer the band playing HTTR over the thing they play on the jumbotron, but I do have to admit, more people participate with it on the jumbotron. What throws me off is the speed of the song on the jumbotron is slower than what I am used to with the band, so I always get thrown off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFKFedEx Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 How many people are in a big time college band? The big boys in the SEC, along w/ USC, MI, OSU, etc. appear to have easily 75-100 pieces. But I don't know the exact numbers. If you think about the money wasted free agents over the past decade, a million dollar a year band seems like a better long term investment from a karma standpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pez Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 The big boys in the SEC, along w/ USC, MI, OSU, etc. appear to have easily 75-100 pieces. But I don't know the exact numbers.If you think about the money wasted free agents over the past decade, a million dollar a year band seems like a better long term investment from a karma standpoint. I don;t think we would have a band that large in size, but I would be interested in, is the size of the college bands when they go on the road (much smaller I believe).... that seems like a good size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worstSeat Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Our band doesn't have enough pieces to produce that powerful organic sound you get from the good college bands. Stick 'em in the cave under the club level. They'd be a lot louder then, and Snyder can sell the tickets in the sun for more to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsair_joe Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Seems to me that the band is being slowly phased out, especially with the move up to the club level. If it was something that management cared about, they'd find room for them on the lower level or field level. I think they just see them as taking up seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFKFedEx Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I have talked to a couple members of the band, and they all felt like they would not be around much longer...I hope this is not the case, as this is absolutely one of the greatest features of our team and should be held in high regard. I'm with you Pez. I feel like the team's decision to move the band upstairs to the club level was like putting a box of old toys in the attic. They didn't really want to throw them away, but at the same time they were taking up space downstairs in the bedroom. They don't really need the band anymore, but there is still that slight sense of loyalty so they kept them em around. ALA Toy Story 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luca Brasi Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I was in the band from 2001-2006 and can hopefully provide a little insight. First off, the band does indeed use microphones. During the pregame ceremony on the field, select members are chosen to wear clip-on microphones that are intended to capture the sound of the full ensemble. And while sitting in the stands, there are either 2 or 4 microphones positioned at the front of the group, which are mixed and pushed through the stadium speakers. Unless things have changed since I left, but I can't imagine anyone would hear the band without the mics. Secondly, being in the band is a major time committment. They rehearse once a week (used to be Wednesday nights) in the parking lot of the stadium. Getting there in DC rush hour is a nightmare, and you're lucky to be out of there by 10:00pm. And obviously game days are an all-day affair. Much like for the fans, except the band members have to report inside 2 hours before kickoff. I can't imagine a scenario or a valid reason to play a recording of Hail to the Redskins. I'm not sure I believe that. The band ALWAYS wants to play more by the way. Unfortunately between commercials and the popular garbage that gets pumped through the stadium speakers, there just isn't much time left. Finally, I've always believed that if the collective musicianship of the group is ever going to improve, the powers that be would need to hold auditions each year to determine which part the members are going to play (i.e., who is playing 1st Trombone, 2nd Trombone, etc.) The strongest players need to be on the 1st parts, but that is NOT the case by any stretch. There are guys in that band that have been in the group for 40 years who have no business playing the lead parts, but because of their seniority, they aren't challenged by any of the younger members, many of which are much stronger players. I graduated from JMU, which has one of the strongest marching bands in the country. Everything is determined by auditions in that group, as in most college bands. That's the major reason you hear such a difference when you hear the Redskins band compared to a college band. Granted the Skins band is only about 120 members, but with microphones, it should sound much bigger and brighter than it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E33Green Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Yeah the current rendition doesn't really compare to this: 5P08Mkj_KoQ Brings a tear to your eye.:logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Janky Spanky Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 This is ridiculous!! Honestly there is absolutely no reason why they should have a recorded version of HTTR rather than have the band play it. Hopefully the organization changes it back this week, or soon. I love the band the way it is. I don't think we need to enlarge it. And, poster above, I greatly appreciate your insight on playing in the band and we appreciate all the time it takes to be in it. The uniqueness of the band is one of the main reasons I think it's such a shame to start changing things and lowering its influence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stugein Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 I prefer the band playing HTTR over the thing they play on the jumbotron, but I do have to admit, more people participate with it on the jumbotron. What throws me off is the speed of the song on the jumbotron is slower than what I am used to with the band, so I always get thrown off. My only problem with the band has always been the timing. I'm never exactly sure quite when they start up the song after the PAT so I'm often off a bit and have to readjust where I am in the lyrics and it's kind of awkward. I prefer the band, but the one thing the video has going for it in my opinion is that it plays the song intro bit before going into the lyrical section, whereas the band seems to just go right into it. If the band would play the intro as well I think that would go a long way to giving people in the stands a heads-up that it's time to sing and get everyone on the same page with regard to when the song actually starts up. So.. Band > Video, but I wish the band would play the intro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllBusiness Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 If Mr. Snyder wants to improve his standing with the Redskin's adoring fanbase, things like throwing fundage at the Band would go a long way. Beside being the right thing to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bifflog Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Seems like the type of thing we should organize over and pester Bruce Allen about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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