re: Tiger Band thread. How's the new director? How are the numbers looking?

quote:

---

It’s heartbreaking what this program has become since we were there. I love LSU and TB with all my heart. It hurts seeing it go down the shitter like this.

---

Things will only get worse as long as Talley and Queen are in charge. Talley was the director at a school that did NOT have football or a marching band. Yet, they hired him to run the whole show. Dean Queen is an opera guy! What in the hell is LSU doing?

Do they just not get it, or is there actually animosity toward Tiger Band? If so, why?

Probably none. Tiger Band used to be under the athletic department, but now it’s under the control of the School of Music. I’m not sure there’s anything Woodward can do to get it moved back.

quote:

---

Do they just not get it, or is there actually animosity toward Tiger Band? If so, why?

---

The school of music HATES the tiger band. They are jealous of the publicity and support the tiger band receives. The faculty in the school of music convince students not to be a member of the band! Wickes fought with them the entire time he was at LSU. So did Moorhouse and King. When the tiger band represented the USA (and Louisiana) in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, the school of music faculty declared it a "waste of money." Talley called the band, "the laughing stock of the country." These people are sick. All they want to do is tear down one of LSU's greatest traditions.

quote:

---

How much input, if any, might Woodward have when it comes to the school of music?

---

I think he could push to get it back under the Athletic Department. He is the AD. Football is the leading moneymaker. Tiger Band is an important football tradition with a rich history. Hell most of the band members are not music majors. Why does the school of Music get the band other than politics/money?

quote:

---

How much input, if any, might Woodward have when it comes to the school of music?

---

I would say not to underestimate the level of political connections and influence Woodward has. You have to remember what he did at LSU last time he was here, which was basically serving as a lobbyist for the university.

While he likely can’t do anything from an administrative perspective, he could very well utilize the BOS to apply pressure on King and wherever else needed to get something done.

However, as much as all of us love the band tradition and want to see it restored, and I imagine Woodward would feel the same; I would have to think that in the grand scheme of things, this issue is probably pretty low on his priority list for his first year in command.

Dude, those videos are from 10 years ago.

quote:

---

The school of music HATES the tiger band. They are jealous of the publicity and support the tiger band receives. The faculty in the school of music convince students not to be a member of the band! Wickes fought with them the entire time he was at LSU. So did Moorhouse and King. When the tiger band represented the USA (and Louisiana) in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, the school of music faculty declared it a "waste of money." Talley called the band, "the laughing stock of the country." These people are sick. All they want to do is tear down one of LSU's greatest traditions.

---

I don't believe any of this is true. Talley and I have corresponded and talked in person about Tiger Band many times. He appreciates TGBFTL and recognizes its power, importance, and potential. I can't see him calling it "the laughing stock of the country." I mean, maybe in a rehearsal setting when they were playing or marching poorly, or acting sloppy. Music directors are notorious for using verbal abuse to motivate the troops.

Tell them to stop playing that annoying crap when we are on defense where everyone just blares a note like a donkey hee-hawing

quote:

---

According to those SOM faculty members, the SOM likes the Tiger Band and promotes membership in the band.

---

When Wickes was the director, your "sister" was admonished (according to Wickes & Moorhouse) for their ill-treatment of band members. The dean told the school of music faculty they were behaving badly. According to Moorhouse and King, the school of music faculty constantly advised students against being a part of the band. When the band went to Ireland, the school of music faculty told the students that it was a "waste of money." Wickes was an alumni professor and could handle them. Moorhouse left because of them and King was left alone to deal with their childish behavior. This info is straight from the folks involved.

quote:

---

King was also a poor TB leader.

---

Really? King was named "band director of the year" by a national bandmasters fraternity. He directed two international performances by the tiger band. The band, under his leadership, was named "top 10 college marching bands in the country" and so on....
(I got this info from the LSU band website)
The students loved Mr. King because he was always looking out for what was in their best interest.

quote:

---

FYI, the TB has always been part of the SOM and not under control of the AD.

---

You mix facts with half-truths. When the band was first organized, it was an ROTC unit. This was in place until after well WWII. Eventually, the band became part of the school of music. When the band became fully funded by the athletic department (the early 80's), the band director "answered" to the AD. Anyone who thinks the folks who write the checks doesn't have control are just plain stupid.