The Bass provides a fundamental allowing the rest of the band to play better in tune. Sound that is in tune will travel farther, faster, and louder. We also place much emphasis on playing together with also makes the band sound bigger.

You should check out the show:

Troy's band was awesome….hats off to ya

sounded like they had an electric bass guitar over there

The wind and angle of the Troy's band's seats toward the press box side helped it sound louder - that and the fact that it was a bit larger than the FAU band (especially in certain loud instruments).

The FAU band makes improvements each year and does a great job, but needs more financial and marketing (especially with recruiting at high schools, and money to attend holiday parades, high school and competitions, etc.) support from the school to make larger strides immediately. The Marching Owls are an enthusiastic, loyal group (probably best sports fans FAU has) that deserve the entire school's support. The FAU band is making traditions each game.

The color guard's new uniforms looked great Tuesday night.

BTW, Troy brought around one-quarter to one-third of its band to the FAU game. I read somewhere that it has 320-plus members this year (I assume that includes color guard, majorettes, etc.). I think there are 30 tubas.

The Sound is arguably one of the best bands in the country (and has been since the Division II days). And yes, because it was technically a pep band, there was an electric bass guitar used Tuesday night.

Here is a recent performance:


Pre-game show from 2007:

There are a few things that contribute to the volume of SOTS. We always have a bass guitar playing with the band because it plays an octave lower than the tubas. Also we march piccolos rather than flute because they give us an extra octave up. It's because of these types of things you don't just hear the band you feel the band.

I felt that FAU's band did an excellent job last night. I read that they have only been around for 5 years or so?? They aren't on the level of Troy, MTSU, or some of the other bands in the south…… yet, but they are on right path. I can't wait to watch FAU's grown in size and musicality. I think the University's location in the state will make it easy for them to recruit top band kids and move to a close second for top band in the state. Good luck to the band on the reason of their season and now that the games over good luck to your football team too.

Sots_tuba said

There are a few things that contribute to the volume of SOTS. We always have a bass guitar playing with the band because it plays an octave lower than the tubas. Also we march piccolos rather than flute because they give us an extra octave up. It's because of these types of things you don't just hear the band you feel the band.

I felt that FAU's band did an excellent job last night. I read that they have only been around for 5 years or so?? They aren't on the level of Troy, MTSU, or some of the other bands in the south…… yet, but they are on right path. I can't wait to watch FAU's grown in size and musicality. I think the University's location in the state will make it easy for them to recruit top band kids and move to a close second for top band in the state. Good luck to the band on the reason of their season and now that the games over good luck to your football team too.

Ive seen improvement every year in the band. I know money is scarce at FAU but Id love to get some to this group.

Troy's pep band, and the Full USF band REALLY made a difference in the atmosphere of the game. Its such a huge part of college football.

Keep it up!

P.S. I know names were floating around for a name of the band, did one ever get picked?

OwlShooter said

The wind and angle of the Troy's band's seats toward the press box side helped it sound louder - that and the fact that it was a bit larger than the FAU band (especially in certain loud instruments).

The FAU band makes improvements each year and does a great job, but needs more financial and marketing (especially with recruiting at high schools, and money to attend holiday parades, high school and competitions, etc.) support from the school to make larger strides immediately. The Marching Owls are an enthusiastic, loyal group (probably best sports fans FAU has) that deserve the entire school's support. The FAU band is making traditions each game.

The color guard's new uniforms looked great Tuesday night.

BTW, Troy brought around one-quarter to one-third of its band to the FAU game. I read somewhere that it has 320-plus members this year (I assume that includes color guard, majorettes, etc.). I think there are 30 tubas.

The Sound is arguably one of the best bands in the country (and has been since the Division II days). And yes, because it was technically a pep band, there was an electric bass guitar used Tuesday night.

Here is a recent performance:


Pre-game show from 2007:

It is a shame that our band is so much smaller than others especially for that game. I like your post and I strongly believe that the bands are what makes the college football environment so much more entertaining than the NFL.

I hope that I speak for everyone on this board when I say that I would like to contribute to the growth of our band. I am a football donor but are there any special fundraisers or donors for the development of our band that I can contribute to?

I'm not sure. Since the marching band is a part of the Music Department, the money might get divied up evenly or something. I'm not sure. I guess the best thing to do would be to e-mail our director.

The official name of our band is The Marching Owls.

To the Troy posters, thank you for the kind words! The SOTS is awesome and I have always had a lot of respect for you all. I have talked you all up to my friends and Im glad you brought at least a pep band to our game because the FAU band enjoyed hearing you guys play (even if it was only in the stands).

In regards to the Troy bandmembers coming over to the front sideline to watch our halftime show that was really nice. An old band director of mine once told us that there are rivalries/enemies between football teams and fans but not the bands. We all respect what we do and just enjoy watching other bands perform.

GO OWLS!!!

I'm glad someone posted about the Troy band.  We were in the middle of the visitor's sideline and were so impressed with the band.  I am confident our band will be there one day, we are a young program.

A friend of mine's son is in the Cypress Bay band and his band "director" speaks very highly of the FAU music program and has ebcourage his students to consider attending FAU.  I am not sure what his connection to the school is, but they have a pretty large band.