[76lsjumb]

The LSJUMB
I am a former band member, so my bias says this was a tame performance at least compared to what we did in the 90s, but the script made sense contextually and was definitely not offensive. Several texted to me that the show was stupid or were bewildered having seen the LSJUMB for the first time; they just weren't used to seeing a scatter band and couldn't hear the narration. The perception definitely was that the band was making fun of them for being a farm state.

The band's level of musicianship will not become better because that means excluding those who cannot play making the band so small it just isn't heard or not large enough to create meanigful formations. I was a professional trumpet player, but playing next to several below average trumpz created enough dissonance that it didn't matter. When it comes to creating "good" music within an ensemble, it only takes one playing out of tune to ruin what sounds "good". Raising the level of skill of less talented musicians requires an investment I am almost sure most are not willing to provide. Money will not solve that issue. During my time, the better musicians also happen to be the biggest fans and were part of the pep bands for basketball games and other events; a world of difference in the quality of that group versus the football productions.

You may prove to be correct about this, but at least you should know that, in fact, an effort is now seriously being pursued to make the level of investment [at both the individual and group [i.e., section] levels] that you [and I] believe is required to improve the sound quality to a noticeable extent.  Red Vest will always contain the better musicians, and the kitchen sink player(s) will never add to the sound quality of the band at football games, but that doesn't mean that the overall musical performance level of those in between can't be noticeably improved.  Of course, it will also help if we get some good new charts [or if Chicago and Doobie Brothers revivals become really popular... :-) ]

[76lsjumb]

The LSJUMB
I am a former band member, so my bias says this was a tame performance at least compared to what we did in the 90s, but the script made sense contextually and was definitely not offensive. Several texted to me that the show was stupid or were bewildered having seen the LSJUMB for the first time; they just weren't used to seeing a scatter band and couldn't hear the narration. The perception definitely was that the band was making fun of them for being a farm state.

The band's level of musicianship will not become better because that means excluding those who cannot play making the band so small it just isn't heard or not large enough to create meanigful formations. I was a professional trumpet player, but playing next to several below average trumpz created enough dissonance that it didn't matter. When it comes to creating "good" music within an ensemble, it only takes one playing out of tune to ruin what sounds "good". Raising the level of skill of less talented musicians requires an investment I am almost sure most are not willing to provide. Money will not solve that issue. During my time, the better musicians also happen to be the biggest fans and were part of the pep bands for basketball games and other events; a world of difference in the quality of that group versus the football productions.

You may prove to be correct about this, but at least you should know that, in fact, an effort is now seriously being pursued to make the level of investment [at both the individual and group [i.e., section] levels] that you [and I] believe is required to improve the sound quality to a noticeable extent.  Red Vest will always contain the better musicians, and the kitchen sink player(s) will never add to the sound quality of the band at football games, but that doesn't mean that the overall musical performance level of those in between can't be noticeably improved.  Of course, it will also help if we get some good new charts [or if Chicago and Doobie Brothers revivals become really popular... :-) ]