February 1, 200719 yr The University of Louisville Athletic Department has taken the school’s pep band away from the music department, replacing popular director Greg Byrne and encouraging alumni and community members to join..... SPILL IT DEUCE What's the deal?
February 1, 200719 yr I blame it on the Chompers.Uh...?:confused: Chompers are under the control of neither.
February 1, 200719 yr Maybe, but aren't we always saying that the band needs to play new songs and be more exciting during halftime?
February 1, 200719 yr Last time I checked, playing a musical instrument isn't a sport. Unless you count the 100 lb bass drum you have to lag around. Anyway, bad decision by the athletic department and U of L. This quote sums it up. “They are taking this program away from a foundation that teaches music,” said Arielle Dyda, an 18-year-old freshman band member and music education major. “I feel betrayed. They are taking away my educational opportunities.” I hope that UL gets some sense and decides against this.
February 1, 200719 yr Does that UofL athletics department have that much power? Wouldn't this have to be a decision made by the school President or Board of Directors?
February 1, 200719 yr First of all, ram2003 is correct, this is ticking off ALOT of people... Supposedly, from everything we've heard, the reasoning for athletics taking over the Pep Band is because of a lack of communication between the Pep Band and the athletics department. We (the Pep Band) have really gotten jerked around in this whole matter. We really haven't gotten a difinitive answer as to why this is happening. The details are this: -Our directer, Dr. Greg Byrne, will not be the director of the Pep Band after this year. Instead, they are bringing in Al Greneir to be the director, in order for Athletics to have FULL control of what the Pep Band does. The funniest part about that is, Dr. Byrne replaced Greneir 9 years ago as director, when the band was TERRIBLE...Smart move #1. -This is the kicker, IMO. The new Pep Band will consist of ALUMNI and MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY to be selected by the new Director and Athletics. Students are still "allowed" to audition, but the band will be comprised most of those Alumni and community members. -Any students that want to be in the band will more than likely have to audition(which was not the case before this mess, because everyone in the Pep Band had to be a member of the Marching Band, therefore no need for auditions). This means that students will have to audition to try to get parts over people that may be musicians for a profession just to be in the Pep Band that THEY go to school at.... The more this story develops, the more upset I get about it. They are taking the Pep Band away from the STUDENTS that put work into it ALL year. Our student section is small enough, and now they want to take the other 30-35 students in the Band out of that? Just a STUPID idea, IMO, and I hope this one comes back to bite them in the rear. Just to add, I will NOT play in the Pep Band anymore if this does happen, and several of you know how passionate I am about being the University of Louisville band...
February 1, 200719 yr Author I hate that students will get shut out, though I do like the audition aspect, as it will keep some of you sharp...I hate that they are bringing that old guy in...keep us posted homey.
February 1, 200719 yr I hate that students will get shut out, though I do like the audition aspect, as it will keep some of you sharp.... We audition before marching band, so there is no reason to have to audition for pep band too....When you're playing music through the whole first semester, you don't get worse...
February 1, 200719 yr We audition before marching band, so there is no reason to have to audition for pep band too....When you're playing music through the whole first semester, you don't get worse... Question: So, the Marching band will still be under the music department? That means there won't be any changes to the Football performances? I'm confused by the difference between the Pep Band and the Marching Band...I guess...
February 1, 200719 yr Question: So, the Marching band will still be under the music department? That means there won't be any changes to the Football performances? I'm confused by the difference between the Pep Band and the Marching Band...I guess... Marching band is for football, and Pep Band is for basketball and volleyball...That's pretty much the only difference. The Pep Band is made up of students who were in the Marching Band in the fall semester. As far as we know, no changes are to be made to Marching Band.
February 1, 200719 yr Author We audition before marching band, so there is no reason to have to audition for pep band too....When you're playing music through the whole first semester, you don't get worse... Excellent, I didn't know that...I am baffled by this...I guess now we can't say that Tom Jurich hasn't made a bad decision.
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