- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
More about Roy King's dismissal - It was ALWAYS about the money
Posted on 6/11/16 at 12:56 am
Posted on 6/11/16 at 12:56 am
Since the band is suddenly a topic of conversation again, I thought it might be worth noting that the band department website no longer lists scholarships for Tiger Band. Instead, there are now "band department scholarships," with no mention of any requirement to play in Tiger Band.
LINK
(Look under "prospective students" and go to "scholarships.")
Furthermore, there is no mention anywhere of the stipends that Tiger Band members have received for decades as token compensation for the many hours they put in. These were always listed in the past, so the omission can only be deliberate. (Remember that Damon Talley was once overheard by several witnesses complaining that Tiger Band was "underworked and overpaid.")
Again, as many have noted all along, all the bogus charges leveled at Roy King (an LSU alum and loyal employee for over 20 years) were just an excuse to get rid of him since he refused "play ball" and allow Tiger Band scholarship money be used for other purposes.
For what it's worth, I suspect that the stipends may in fact be continued this year, just to avoid too much outrage (although they might be reduced), but I would be greatly surprised if they did not disappear in the near future. So the money that has gone to reward Tiger Band members (and attract quality musicians to the band) in the past will now be used to recruit students for the SOM. (Remember, this is athletic department money!)
Why does this matter to the average fan? Some have noted that the band's quality has gone down a bit in recent years. While Tiger Band is still considered to be among the upper echelon of college marching bands, it's worth noting that Tiger Band's scholarship budget was basically cut in half around the time Roy took over. In particular, it became more difficult to recruit good musicians from out of state. (Imagine what an analogous reduction in scholarship aid would mean for the quality of the football team.) That problem will be greatly exacerbated in the future if this is allowed to stand, and you will definitely notice a difference in the quality of the band, if not this year, then very soon.
It's worth remembering that Todd Queen (dean of the SOM) did EXACTLY the same thing at his last position at Colorado State: he fired the marching band director and took direct control of the marching band's budget.
LINK
(Look under "prospective students" and go to "scholarships.")
Furthermore, there is no mention anywhere of the stipends that Tiger Band members have received for decades as token compensation for the many hours they put in. These were always listed in the past, so the omission can only be deliberate. (Remember that Damon Talley was once overheard by several witnesses complaining that Tiger Band was "underworked and overpaid.")
Again, as many have noted all along, all the bogus charges leveled at Roy King (an LSU alum and loyal employee for over 20 years) were just an excuse to get rid of him since he refused "play ball" and allow Tiger Band scholarship money be used for other purposes.
For what it's worth, I suspect that the stipends may in fact be continued this year, just to avoid too much outrage (although they might be reduced), but I would be greatly surprised if they did not disappear in the near future. So the money that has gone to reward Tiger Band members (and attract quality musicians to the band) in the past will now be used to recruit students for the SOM. (Remember, this is athletic department money!)
Why does this matter to the average fan? Some have noted that the band's quality has gone down a bit in recent years. While Tiger Band is still considered to be among the upper echelon of college marching bands, it's worth noting that Tiger Band's scholarship budget was basically cut in half around the time Roy took over. In particular, it became more difficult to recruit good musicians from out of state. (Imagine what an analogous reduction in scholarship aid would mean for the quality of the football team.) That problem will be greatly exacerbated in the future if this is allowed to stand, and you will definitely notice a difference in the quality of the band, if not this year, then very soon.
It's worth remembering that Todd Queen (dean of the SOM) did EXACTLY the same thing at his last position at Colorado State: he fired the marching band director and took direct control of the marching band's budget.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 1:14 am to TigerCard
I would think the SOM should be able to do what they want - but since they are funded by athletics, that would be AFTER the Tiger Band is funded.
Of course they could not use any athletic money if they feel that strongly about the band director.
Maybe then the Tiger Band should be like a club sport, do their own fundraising (TAF) and be independent of the SOM.
Of course they could not use any athletic money if they feel that strongly about the band director.
Maybe then the Tiger Band should be like a club sport, do their own fundraising (TAF) and be independent of the SOM.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 5:29 am to TigerCard
quote:The "Quality" or "Entertainment Value" of GBFTL half-time shows has little to do with who's on scholarship or how much the "Stipends/Service Awards" are. It's 100% on the Directors and the "Quality" of their Show Designs. The "Quality" of halftime shows HAD greatly declined under King.
Why does this matter to the average fan? Some have noted that the band's quality has gone down a bit in recent years. While Tiger Band is still considered to be among the upper echelon of college marching bands, it's worth noting that Tiger Band's scholarship budget was basically cut in half around the time Roy took over. In particular, it became more difficult to recruit good musicians from out of state. (Imagine what an analogous reduction in scholarship aid would mean for the quality of the football team.) That problem will be greatly exacerbated in the future if this is allowed to stand, and you will definitely notice a difference in the quality of the band, if not this year, then very soon.
Of course, you have to have "Quality Athletes" on the field or it's all for nothing. It requires a totally different type of "Musician" for Marching Band than it does for all the Symphonic Bands.
It's like comparing "Football" athletes to those of "Golf."
I agree with Talley. The band is "Under Worked." You can't produce entertaining shows if you only practice 4 days a week for an hour and a half. Has to be M-F for a minimum of 2 hours, plus the Saturday practice for "Cleaning."
Myself and most Tiger Band Alums wouldn't mind seeing the entire Tiger Band Organization totally removed from any School of Music control and put under LSU Athletic Department control 100%.
Put everybody on "Athletic Scholarships" just like all the athletic teams. Hire an experienced and talented Band Director, pay them a great salary, transition to all "Brass and Percussion" (Like Ohio State and other Marching Band's) increase practice time, recruit great high school marching band brass players/drummers and you're ready to go.
It would be just like any sport at LSU.
This can and should be done if you have the right Director and Staff in place. You'd have to hire a really talented and experienced Director (Just like the Football coach) and let him hire a great Staff. (Just like in Football) It WOULD work and there would be an immediate and noticible improvement in the quality of the half-time shows, because their only job would be to produce creative, imaginative and entertaining half-time shows that people would WANT to watch!.............
Posted on 6/11/16 at 5:58 am to TigerCard
You mentioned average fans, and as one of those it's my understanding that he was fired for playing favorites with the scholarships towards those band members who joined the wind ensemble that he led outside TB. If a student refused or joined another ensemble then he would cut them from Tiger Band and they would lose their scholarship all together. I have no way of knowing if it's true, but to the average onlooker like me that's not right and was plenty of reason to fire him.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 7:30 am to TigerCard
It wouldn't surprise me if the SOM was trying to phase out GBFT. Matching bands aren't that big of a deal as they use to be. As they pipe music into the stadium the roll of the GBFTL has greatly diminished.
I could definitely see where the upper echelon of the SOM would think GBFTL was a bit passé. One of those dirty little things you do to appease the uncultured. Performance music is in a different world than marching bands.
I could definitely see where the upper echelon of the SOM would think GBFTL was a bit passé. One of those dirty little things you do to appease the uncultured. Performance music is in a different world than marching bands.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 7:50 am to Oyster
I would love to see us get the director of the Ohio University marching band. Go check them out on YouTube. Very entertaining.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 8:15 am to 18handicap
Don't think the banning of opponent bands in DV isn't a thinly veiled attempt to get reciprocal bans from opponents in the hopes to pocket the difference thanks to the saved overhead.
All an FKA signature move.
All an FKA signature move.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 8:31 am to GFunk
Play the standards
Play the entry music
Play the halftime show. I don't care about complex formations, and neither does 95% of the audience. Heck, 40% miss the show for concessions and bathroom breaks
Shut down entire SOM and put band under athletics dept
Play the entry music
Play the halftime show. I don't care about complex formations, and neither does 95% of the audience. Heck, 40% miss the show for concessions and bathroom breaks
Shut down entire SOM and put band under athletics dept
This post was edited on 6/11/16 at 8:36 am
Posted on 6/11/16 at 8:56 am to TigerCard
F King continuities to bend over the sports fan.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:05 am to Rouge
quote:
Shut down entire SOM and put band under athletics dept
Wouldn't be surprised to see TAF take over GBFTL.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:25 am to 18handicap
quote:
I would love to see us get the director of the Ohio University marching band.
Heidelberg University has already hired him. I thought he might be too PC toxic, given the culture on college campuses these days, to get another job this soon.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:36 am to semjase
quote:
Put everybody on "Athletic Scholarships" just like all the athletic teams. Hire an experienced and talented Band Director, pay them a great salary, transition to all "Brass and Percussion" (Like Ohio State and other Marching Band's) increase practice time, recruit great high school marching band brass players/drummers and you're ready to go.
Boom, not like TAF can't afford it.
I would think that TAF isn't particularly excited about the money grab of their donated cash by the SOM. SOM is living in another world if they think TAF is interested in funding the whole SOM at the expense of GBFTL.
Funny how the SOM used GBFTL as a front to get donations for the new music building. Without GBFTL the SOM souls still be in the old building.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:38 am to 18handicap
quote:
director of the Ohio University marching band. Go check them out on YouTube. Very entertaining.
It was Ohio State, and he has his own problems. He was fired not too long ago, as well. He is also not very highly regarded by other directors. All sizzle, no steak.
There is actually an educational element to the band, as well. Don't forget that. Marching band is usually one of the primary functions of a High School band director. Being in Tiger Band and learning the techniques of show production are part of that.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:47 am to misey94
No, I'm not talking about Ohio State. I'm talking about Ohio University whose band is better than Ohio State. They are the Marching 110. Please look it up before you correct me.
Marching 110 Official Link
Marching 110 Official Link
This post was edited on 6/11/16 at 9:50 am
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:51 am to 18handicap
quote:
No, I'm not talking about Ohio State. I'm talking about Ohio University
Ah, I picked it up as OSU as well. Sorry.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 9:56 am to Erin Go Bragh
No problem, but seriously, check out Ohio University band on you tube
Posted on 6/11/16 at 10:02 am to Oyster
This is is ridiculous statement. Some of what makes college football so special are the traditions and pageantry that are part of it.....marching bands, cheerleaders, mascots, etc. If you take those things away, the experience would be greatly diminished. Few fans love their bands as much as LSU fans do. I don't see how LSU would ever do away with them. That said, I agree with those who said that TGBFTL belongs under the control of the athletic department, and out of reach of Alexander and Queen.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 10:10 am to TigerCard
Help me out here, band member get paid? I knew people get scholarships, but that would be ridiculous if they are get stipend as well.
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News