IMHO, I think it was a mistake for LSU to name Roy director in the first place. TGBTL took a clear step back from what it used to be, under his direction. I don't mean that as a slight to Roy because I think his strengths lied in his interaction with the band members and in his capacity to support the band's direction--"Director of Bands" wasn't a good fit for him just as much as he might not have been a good fit for the position. The bands clearly needed to move in a different direction, but LSU painted themselves into this corner and clearly manufactured their "reasons" for dismissing him in a chickenshit way. They should've just owned the decision to move on, from the start.

Having some insight into LSU's inner workings, I'd add that the SOM is dysfunctional as frick, HRM are underhanded chickenshits in exactly the way that this is playing out (I'm aware of other dismissals that mirror this very, very similarly), and the whole university has problems of this manner on every scale.

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Posted by Irish LSU Fan

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Member since Nov 2014

2456 posts

Posted on 5/3/16 at 7:08 pm to DontCare

quote:
I think it was a mistake for LSU to name Roy director in the first place. TGBTL took a clear step back from what it used to be, under his direction.

Many people around the country would disagree. There are many college band directors who believe the Tiger Band sounds better than ever. Here is a short list of what has happened since Roy was named Director:
1. Roy was named "Band Director of the Year"
2. Tiger Band was named as one of the "Top Ten Marching Bands" in the USA
3. The Tiger Band has had two international performances (first in their history)
4. Numerous positive articles/accolades that benefit the University (do a google search)

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Posted by TigerCard

Cleveland, OH

Member since Nov 2009

895 posts

Posted on 5/3/16 at 8:15 pm to DontCare

quote:
IMHO, I think it was a mistake for LSU to name Roy director in the first place. TGBTL took a clear step back from what it used to be, under his direction.

The following is what I wrote in an earlier thread about similar complaints:

The scholarship money available for Tiger Band students was basically cut in half just about the time Roy took over the band, and they were no longer able to offer out-of-state tuition waivers. I guess a lot of this can be blamed on general money problems with higher ed in Louisiana. But there is no way such cuts would not have affected the quality of the band.

The students in the band bust their asses, and every time I have seen them, either in rehearsal or in game day situations, I've been impressed with their class and professionalism. And I say that as a former high school and university band director who has been around a LOT of big time programs in my time. But, again, if your scholarship funding is drastically cut, you're going to lose out on some really good players, and that's going to affect the quality.

Having said that, the quality of the LSU band is still very good in comparison with other SEC, ACC, and Big Ten bands I've been around. Is it the best? Probably not...but it's still in the upper echelon.

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Posted by Jet12