dmarkey said

As a Marching Owl alumni I can say the following helps in growing the band…

Money!!
-this can be in the form of more scholarship money (since tuition keeps going up)
-new, better equipment/instruments/uniforms
-travel…never going to away games (or having the music department have to scrounge up $$ for even an in-state game), and also not making post season (although in 2008 we made a bowl game, but the school didn't send the band) 

It doesn't help that we haven't had much to be spirited about. Winning helps all! Or that the stadium crew plays over top the band (especially post game when the band is waiting to play the alma mater). And on that point respect. Many top schools/teams send their band to the band and student section after the game (win or lose) to wait for the alma mater. Cheer and Dance are part of athletics and are treated with respect. The band is a course through the music department, and there is a difference in respect as game Day preference goes. These are all things that contribute to retention. Why dedicate your time to something that isn't valued. 

Going to high school band competitions and hosting band day is a great way to "recruit" new members but in the past these major competitions are hosted on home game days. Or in some cases where games are 2 weeks apart and the competition is in between then no one is getting a weekend off. Some may say "what's the issues, the football team plays almost every weekend"? Well they also get priority class scheduling, excused absences, study hall/tutoring, and much more in scholarships. And as you mentioned many band members have jobs, some of which are working with the high school bands. Shoot, before the stadium was built we had to drive ourselves to Lockhart and argue with CSC about where we could park. 

There's a lot of reasons why the band isn't larger…but really quickest way to grow it is to put some money towards it. Brogan put money into the marching band to get it started again, Howard used to always come by a few practices and thank us and pump us up for big up coming games, but I don't know how much attention has been given to the band in the recent years. 

I will miss Dr. Murray! He built some nice traditions for us and hope the new director will continue those and keep growing and improving. 

And I hate the Hawaiian shirts too. I honestly would like our current uniforms to get an upgrade. Many other universities have been getting new uniforms over the past few years. 

Posted On: Apr 20th 2017, 2:09 PM #368409