Why did we slow down rocky top?

#26
#26
vavolunteer said:
Maaan oh maaan. Don't get me started on the state of our band. This Souza moron has completely screwed up 40 years of tradition and excellence.

Was a music ed. major at UT. Marched in the Pride for four years. This band is a shadow of what it once was. Totally not baggin on the kids, it's all in the hands of the director, and he's a dimwit. :realmad::realmad::realmad::realmad::realmad:
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When were you in the POTS? The reason I ask is that the version of Rocky Top the POTS plays has changed somewhat. Pride of the Southland Marching Band - 1984 - YouTube

Notice the repeat around the 1:25 mark. That's not there anymore. Not a big deal, just curious.
 
#27
#27
#1DicksonVolFan said:
I apologize if this issue has been discussed before, but I am very curious as to why Rocky Top is no longer played with the same pace and zeal as it used to.

For example, this video from 1999 illustrates my point: start listening carefully at the 2:38 mark: 1999 Tennessee 38 Notre Dame 14 (Video 1) - YouTube
In particular, the beginning of Rocky Top is fast and in my opinion, represents the way that it should be played.

I am not old enough to remember those days, but watching that video makes me wonder what happened. The way it's played now just seems flat in comparison.
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This is what happens when the beats per measure scheme changes from 4-3 time to a 3-4 time. I played in band in high school. Although I wasn't a D1 recruit, I can tell you that all the experts agree that this transition takes a minimum of two years. Also, as another poster has stated, we have been recruiting for the 4-3 time which requires a different level of talent and artistic feel than the 3-4. Once the band members get comfortable with the new stuff and we recruit the musicians suited for our new timing, the POTS will be playing rocky top just like the good ole days.
 
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#28
#28
I think the downward spiral of the football program, the playing of Rocky Top too slow etc, has to be laid at the feet of Kesling. UT's NC in football occured in 1998. Kesling became the Voice of the Vols after that season, and UT athletics has been in freefall ever since. Think about it.
 
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#30
#30
The same reason we don't do the Tennessee Walking Horse Tradition any longer. Wrong people calling shots.
 
#31
#31
If we are talking about stuff with the band can we please stop playing "Living on a Prayer". I hate everyone that sings along with it especially if we are down in the second half.
 
#32
#32
coug said:
They rarely do the circle drill anyway. Saw it one time last year and thought it was cool. Haven't seen it since.
There's something wrong when I get excited about seeing the band at a UT game, waiting in anicipation of the circle drill.
:)
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Circle drill is usually done for one road game, one home and a bowl game (if there is one).

vavolunteer said:
Maaan oh maaan. Don't get me started on the state of our band. This Souza moron has completely screwed up 40 years of tradition and excellence.

Was a music ed. major at UT. Marched in the Pride for four years. This band is a shadow of what it once was. Totally not baggin on the kids, it's all in the hands of the director, and he's a dimwit. :realmad::realmad::realmad::realmad::realmad:
Click to expand...

How has he screwed up 40 years of tradition? The band still does the same pregame (alterations aside, which probably happened a few times under Julian). The uniforms are still the same, the UT sequence and alma mater still occur at the end of all the home halftime shows, the school songs are still intact, they still do salute to the hill. Hell, in 2009 he he went to Mike Hamilton and told him the Pride was going back to their usual parade route after it failed on the pedestrian walkway the first couple times. Things change, the Pride is going to have ups and downs (trust me, I was a member of the 2009 Pride that took a bunch of heat for being smaller).

Boca Vol said:
When were you in the POTS? The reason I ask is that the version of Rocky Top the POTS plays has changed somewhat. Pride of the Southland Marching Band - 1984 - YouTube

Notice the repeat around the 1:25 mark. That's not there anymore. Not a big deal, just curious.
Click to expand...

That's most likely just a field arrangement. All the older recording I've heard of don't have that repeat.

utfantilidie said:
The same reason we don't do the Tennessee Walking Horse Tradition any longer. Wrong people calling shots.
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Would you like to try running the Pride for a season? I had things I disagreed with while I was there, but I would still put the Pride of the Southland Band up against any other band in the country and bet you they could at least equal the performance of the opponent's band out on the field.
 
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#33
#33
Thrasher865 said:
Band recruiting has taken a bit of a nose dive with all the band director "hot seat" talk. Our recruits are slower, and the results show up in the stands and on the field at halftime.

:no:
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AND.....they installed a new package this year, called the 9-18 formation, not easy to implement, may take 2-3 years to get all the members to make their shifts on time, while maintaining the tempo.
 
#34
#34
I love the Marching Band, always have. Joined the band at at Bearden Jr. High as a kid, later at West High because of them.
 
#35
#35
Rocky Top Raby said:
If we are talking about stuff with the band can we please stop playing "Living on a Prayer". I hate everyone that sings along with it especially if we are down in the second half.
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While I agree with you in theory, when I'm hammered drunk in the stands, I give no effs. I sing that song like it's the last song I'll ever get to sing!
 
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#36
#36
dillyo51 said:
I think the downward spiral of the football program, the playing of Rocky Top too slow etc, has to be laid at the feet of Kesling. UT's NC in football occured in 1998. Kesling became the Voice of the Vols after that season, and UT athletics has been in freefall ever since. Think about it.
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this!!!!
 
#37
#37
#1DicksonVolFan said:
I apologize if this issue has been discussed before, but I am very curious as to why Rocky Top is no longer played with the same pace and zeal as it used to.

For example, this video from 1999 illustrates my point: start listening carefully at the 2:38 mark: 1999 Tennessee 38 Notre Dame 14 (Video 1) - YouTube
In particular, the beginning of Rocky Top is fast and in my opinion, represents the way that it should be played.

I am not old enough to remember those days, but watching that video makes me wonder what happened. The way it's played now just seems flat in comparison.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you are hearing but it sounds the same to me. Same speed and energy.
 
#38
#38
Could also be that we love it so much we just want it to last longer. WOOOOOOOOH!!
 
#39
#39
There is one director who absolutely knows how it is correctly played. We just need him to back.

peyton-directs-the-band.jpg
 
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#40
#40
We'd just like to see some different music.. like the dread song they play... I mean it's been basically the same music for years.... maybe Coach Jones can light a match under their arses.. who.. whoooooooo

GO VOLS..
GO BIG ORANGE .. :whistling:
 
#42
#42
Fire Sousa!! Why does UT have to settle for a mediocre band director. We need to go after a big name band director. This clown got the job based on his name!!













Really a shame, I feel the need to mention........heavy sarcasm at work here.
 
#43
#43
NEVolFan said:
AND.....they installed a new package this year, called the 9-18 formation, not easy to implement, may take 2-3 years to get all the members to make their shifts on time, while maintaining the tempo.
Click to expand...

But it's year 0. They have time.
 
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#45
#45
Rocky Top Raby said:
If we are talking about stuff with the band can we please stop playing "Living on a Prayer". I hate everyone that sings along with it especially if we are down in the second half.
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I agree with you but to be honest, it's been pretty much descriptive of the Football program for the last 4 years.
 
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#46
#46
It makes me mad when our band plays rocky top after we lose. What is that crap? Just dont, please. It's as if they have no idea what is going on or what has just happened. Always bugged me. Play just the Tennessee Waltz if we lose I say.
 
#47
#47
mgutvol03 said:
It makes me mad when our band plays rocky top after we lose. What is that crap? Just dont, please. It's as if they have no idea what is going on or what has just happened. Always bugged me. Play just the Tennessee Waltz if we lose I say.
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Imagine having to be the ones playing it..

Trust me, we didn't want to either.

Or when something bad happens and the crowd gets down.. "Hey! Let's play Rocky Top!"
 
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#48
#48
We need to quit playing the song...period!! The song makes us look like a bunch if HILLBILLIES!! Never liked it and probably never will. How can anybody get fired up to that hillbilly music??? We play it an average of 164 times per game so I can imagine many people getting burned out on it.
 
#50
#50
vol4live said:
We need to quit playing the song...period!! The song makes us look like a bunch if HILLBILLIES!! Never liked it and probably never will. How can anybody get fired up to that hillbilly music??? We play it an average of 164 times per game so I can imagine many people getting burned out on it.
Click to expand...

I just reported you for saying that
 
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