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Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - Printable Version

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Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - jacketree - 01-06-2016

(01-06-2016, 03:55 PM)thunder_chik link Wrote:So for all those people hating on Stanford's band, ask yourself:  What do they have that I don't have that I want to have but find threatening?"

Good drugs and bad body odor?

<rimshot>

They don't have anything that threatens anybody, at least not me. I just don't particularly enjoy their performances, which is not an uncommon position, but who cares?

Garvin hit it.  They perform for themselves and their fans.  Whether that's the right approach in front of a large audience, particularly at the game of games, might be debatable.  But right for whom?  I know what I'd do, but they aren't me, and aren't you glad for that?

They'll live with (and thrive on) the criticism.  Haters gonna hate.  (Even the 103 year olds.)

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - Leftcoast - 01-06-2016

I'm an unabashed supporter of Stanford's band.  I love the excitement their presence brings to Stanford sporting events and believe that they uniquely fill a niche in the Stanford sports landscape.  A Stanford world without the band would be much less fun - for both the fans AND the athletes.

Having said that .... I've recently noticed how much more successful the band is in smaller venues.  When they are criticized among alums/casual fans it's always for their football field shows.  What would it take to improve/fix the football field show?

Some thoughts:

*  Music:  Yeah, I know, it's HARD to fill a football stadium with music.  Improving Fall recruitment might help.  I bet that the majority of Stanford students have some level of musical experience and only a percentage of those play in the band.  Better recruitment for the fall quarter band would be helpful.  Maybe add in outreach to local alumni for fall shows.  Heck, the value proposition of 6 days with the band plus some practice time should seem pretty darn fun to local young alums.  Anything to give the band a little more musical volume and oomph in critical field shows.  Also, I wonder if the travel ban, field ban (after the band shack demolition) and other admin meddling is holding down band membership?

*  Announcers:  It's not fair but the the band announcers can come off as whiny or entitled according to comments from non Stanford types (and some alums).  Jokes seem too "inside campus drive" and a lot of the time they just can't hear or understand announcers.  Yeah, I know our opponents love slamming the band but if we want people to "get" their shows than how they are presented makes a difference.  Find the next Hal Mickelson or a voice that is equal to the task.  Always have subtittles on the video boards.  Make scripts available on the Stadium App.  Communicate better.

*  Scripts:  The SNL effect of 1 dud and 5 so-so skits for every laugh-out-loud winner holds forth with the band.  I wonder if an alternate approach could be put in place here.  Perhaps make the Band show a for credit workshop open to band members with professional mentorship/critique available?  This could be student run and overseen by the Music or Drama department or another department that is interested.  There's certainly real world value in figuring out how to communicate to 40,000-50,000 people in an effective manner and it might help even out the quality.  Just a thought but a new approach might help.  Is the band still repulsed by connection with the faculty/music department?

Again, I LOVE the band and can't imagine a Stanford world without them.  These are just some random thoughts brought on by realizingthat the band is almost universally loved at Stanford outside of their field shows.  Innovative thought is a Stanford value and a LSJUMB value.  No need to wait for the band to break before we meddle/fix it.

Comments?

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - ahuang06 - 01-06-2016

The SNL analogy recalls the John Cena show this year - it was really the only one that elicited a chuckle from me this year.  It's as ridiculous/random as "More Cowbell".

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - winflop - 01-07-2016

(01-06-2016, 06:11 PM)leftcoast link Wrote:I'm an unabashed supporter of Stanford's band.  I love the excitement their presence brings to Stanford sporting events and believe that they uniquely fill a niche in the Stanford sports landscape.  A Stanford world without the band would be much less fun - for both the fans AND the athletes.

Having said that .... I've recently noticed how much more successful the band is in smaller venues.  When they are criticized among alums/casual fans it's always for their football field shows.  What would it take to improve/fix the football field show?

Some thoughts:

*  Music:  Yeah, I know, it's HARD to fill a football stadium with music.  Improving Fall recruitment might help.  I bet that the majority of Stanford students have some level of musical experience and only a percentage of those play in the band.  Better recruitment for the fall quarter band would be helpful.  Maybe add in outreach to local alumni for fall shows.  Heck, the value proposition of 6 days with the band plus some practice time should seem pretty darn fun to local young alums.  Anything to give the band a little more musical volume and oomph in critical field shows.  Also, I wonder if the travel ban, field ban (after the band shack demolition) and other admin meddling is holding down band membership?

*  Announcers:  It's not fair but the the band announcers can come off as whiny or entitled according to comments from non Stanford types (and some alums).  Jokes seem too "inside campus drive" and a lot of the time they just can't hear or understand announcers.  Yeah, I know our opponents love slamming the band but if we want people to "get" their shows than how they are presented makes a difference.  Find the next Hal Mickelson or a voice that is equal to the task.  Always have subtittles on the video boards.  Make scripts available on the Stadium App.  Communicate better.

*  Scripts:  The SNL effect of 1 dud and 5 so-so skits for every laugh-out-loud winner holds forth with the band.  I wonder if an alternate approach could be put in place here.  Perhaps make the Band show a for credit workshop open to band members with professional mentorship/critique available?  This could be student run and overseen by the Music or Drama department or another department that is interested.  There's certainly real world value in figuring out how to communicate to 40,000-50,000 people in an effective manner and it might help even out the quality.  Just a thought but a new approach might help.  Is the band still repulsed by connection with the faculty/music department?

Again, I LOVE the band and can't imagine a Stanford world without them.  These are just some random thoughts brought on by realizingthat the band is almost universally loved at Stanford outside of their field shows.  Innovative thought is a Stanford value and a LSJUMB value.  No need to wait for the band to break before we meddle/fix it.

Comments?

The music is the music - there was a time when the band's unofficial label was "the world's largest rock & roll band."  KEEP PLAYING IT DO NOT CONFORM.  Add a new song or two every year to keep it a little contemporary.

They need to can the nasal, high-pitched announcers and find someone with a strong, deep voice.  No need for two people, and no need to be PC by making it one man and one woman.

Scripts - the AD needs to let them tastefully mock their opponents more often.  To my knowledge the only two times they've even been allowed to do anything mocking of an opponent were the 2013 and 2016 Rose Bowls.  IMnsHO by a long way those are the two best band shows in the last 10 years.  Saluting the Irish Potato Famine and having the Drum Major marry all five Dollies went too far, but they could have done a salute to leprechauns everywhere with a rainbow etc.

Plenty of smart creative students on campus.  If the AD would just R-E-L-A-X a little bit...

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - CTcard - 01-07-2016

Apparently it is now official statement time.

From Stanford
Quote:The Band's halftime show has provoked a variety of reactions. The performance was intended to be irreverent fun, given Iowa's connection to farming and Stanford's historical nickname "The Farm." The script posted on the Band's Facebook page provides fuller context. We understand that some viewers took offense at the performance, which we regret and which will be the subject of further discussion with the Band's leadership.


Apparently the Rose Bowl also released a statement complaining about the band. This is what the Merc quotes, though it doesn't seem to be the entire text. Apparently they deny reviewing the script for the show ahead of time,
Quote:Given the fine reputations of the schools in these conferences, we have not felt the need to review in any significant detail the planned performances of their representatives,'' the Tournament of Roses said in a statement, adding that it regretted if any spectators were offended.

The halftime performance was not in line with the values of the Rose Bowl Game and we will be reviewing our policies and procedures with regard to future band performances.


Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - CTcard - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 08:35 AM)garvin link Wrote:And if the AD really cleared the halftime show, as has been said here, it needs to grow a set of testicles and say so, rather than letting the Band take the rap.

I think the non-apology nature of the Stanford statement makes it clear that they don't really see a problem with it.

I would have preferred to have them actually say "Hey - we approved that. If there is a problem it's our fault."

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - FarmBoy - 01-07-2016

Quote:we will be reviewing our policies and procedures with regard to future band performances.

That last bit sounds ominous. Aren't they already on double secret probation?

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - yvonne - 01-07-2016

Basically, the powers that be are probably going to try to do as Virginia did and institute a boring traditional marching band. The problem with that is that Stanford is not big enough to field such a band -- one of the reasons that it and similar schools have scatter bands. Moreover, I don't think Stanford students will be interested in participating in such a band. And after 50+ years of LSJUMB, more than a few alumni will be upset, as well.

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - stupac2 - 01-07-2016

I wish that the people complaining would point out what, exactly, was wrong with the show. The script is available, pick out the lines/formations/songs that are uncalled for.

Except that they don't because the whole thing is actually pretty milquetoast and no one has the testicular fortitude to just say "Oh grow up" to the people complaining.

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - yvonne - 01-07-2016

Are you saying that Stanford had a traditional marching band that fielded 200 members, or that scatter bands weren't started because Ivies and similar couldn't find enough students for a traditional band?

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - winflop - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 09:12 AM)Yvonne link Wrote:Are you saying that Stanford had a traditional marching band that fielded 200 members, or that scatter bands weren't started because Ivies and similar couldn't find enough students for a traditional band?

Exactly.  I don't think a traditional marching band would be successful.

And hey Rose Bowl please explain how this show was somehow MORE offensive than the "Ode to Cheese" (aka, Homage to Fromage) show at the 2013 Rose Bowl vs. the Cheeseheads?

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - SUBuddha - 01-07-2016

I actually think the Fiesta Bowl show where they feigned ignorance about what a sooner was etc. Was more of a direct attack on the opponent than any of the recent RB shows.

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - French Rage - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 09:09 AM)stupac2 link Wrote:I wish that the people complaining would point out what, exactly, was wrong with the show. The script is available, pick out the lines/formations/songs that are uncalled for.

Except that they don't because the whole thing is actually pretty milquetoast and no one has the testicular fortitude to just say "Oh grow up" to the people complaining.

Seriously, what the hell is "not in line with the values of the Rose Bowl Game"?  That's such a massive cop-out, they're basically saying they found nothing wrong with it (or they would be more specific) but are capitulating to acting in some way offended if one side complains enough.  Maybe next time we're there we should get everyone to boo and complain about the other team's halftime show regardless of its content and see if we can get the same response.

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - umut - 01-07-2016

food for thought

I don't mind having a large/small or unconventional band. I do however prefer that our band changed their tone a little bit and did not offend Iowa supporters during the game. I rather have them use that special prime time to further inform everyone on TV about Stanford (especially when millions of people watching TV). For example - make sign of Wild Caff etc

This is just me but I really like when we make fun of ourselves (like nerd nation) and can still beat any PAC12 team with exceptional football.  If Iowa had a comeback and beat us in the 2nd half (like Oregon vs. TCU), guess what kind of position would we be in.   





Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - French Rage - 01-07-2016

We did make fun of ourselves.  We made fun of Californians liking things non-GMO and such, and also how we might overuse words like "patriarchical" and "heteronormative".  The worst we made fun of Iowa was saying they have cows and corn, both of which to me seem like factual statements and not actual mocking.  The butt of the pregame show was the announcer who painted the wrong locker room, and the whole point of the halftime show was that we liked their band.

Given that, I don't see how we would be able to do something different and not "offend" the other team.  They were going to be offended no matter what.



Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - FarmBoy - 01-07-2016

Quote: If Iowa had a comeback and beat us in the 2nd half (like Oregon vs. TCU), guess what kind of position would we be in.   

The position we'd be in is that Iowa fans wouldn't give a rats a$$ about the halftime show because they wouldn't be so butthurt.

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - 76lsjumb - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 10:06 AM)umut link Wrote:food for thought

I don't mind having a large/small or unconventional band. I do however prefer that our band changed their tone a little bit and did not offend Iowa supporters during the game. I rather have them use that special prime time to further inform everyone on TV about Stanford (especially when millions of people watching TV). For example - make sign of Wild Caff etc

This is just me but I really like when we make fun of ourselves (like nerd nation) and can still beat any PAC12 team with exceptional football.  If Iowa had a comeback and beat us in the 2nd half (like Oregon vs. TCU), guess what kind of position would we be in. 

If someone is looking to take offense at you, they will do so pretty much whatever you do, and this show is about as perfect an example of that as one could imagine.  Opposing fans take offense at the Stanford Band; it's what they do.  And, when their team is getting crushed, the likelihood of that is magnified exponentially.

If the Band had called that cow the "WildCaff" and had it run all over the field, what would the Iowa fans have done?  They would have booed, taken offense, and written nasty letters.  Or, as has been mentioned already, what if the Band had formed a square and played "We are the Champions" and "Another One Bites the Dust"?  The Iowa fans would have booed and written nasty letters [indeed, arguably with more justification at the lack of sportsmanship on the Band's part, given the score at that point].

And, in this case, the show really did provide more information to the country about Stanford:  Presumably a lot more people [at least in Iowa] now know that it's "The Farm"...  :)

Sometimes [and one can certainly debate the magnitude/frequency of "some"], the Band gives offense.  Sometimes, however, offense is taken.  I really think this time was one of those latter instances.

Of course, if they REALLY wanted to offend opposing fans, they could simply play "Fight On" incessantly throughout the entire game...


Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - ColoradoTree - 01-07-2016

After going back and reading the script, I remain appalled... at the people who so angrily claim to be offended by the halftime show.  As an objective friend (with no ties to either Iowa or Stanford) said after reading it: "that was neither offensive nor all that funny." 

The inability of some of these Hawkeye fans to let this go and laugh it off as an irreverent band poking a little gentle fun at their farming background boggles the mind.  Get over it, folks. 

That such a positively milquetoast performance is causing this much of an uproar, or that the band is facing any possible discipline for it, is insane. 

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - Mick - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 08:44 AM)CTcard link Wrote:[quote author=garvin link=topic=14252.msg151685#msg151685 date=1452180947]
And if the AD really cleared the halftime show, as has been said here, it needs to grow a set of testicles and say so, rather than letting the Band take the rap.

I think the non-apology nature of the Stanford statement makes it clear that they don't really see a problem with it.

[/quote]

"I'm so sorry you feel that way."

Re: Iowa fans discover the Stanford Band - And are very angry and very confused - BostonCard - 01-07-2016

(01-07-2016, 11:36 AM)76lsjumb link Wrote:Of course, if they REALLY wanted to offend opposing fans, they could simply play "Fight On" incessantly throughout the entire game...

Although I did get a chuckle out of the Trojan band playing "Fight On" or whatever it was that they play after defensive stops when they held McCaffrey to "only" five yards on first down.

BC