BigKSoda

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WTF????? Now I don't understand you at all.

Who's downplaying the prestige of the WVU band? Or the music department? Why the hell would I downplay my daughter's band or music department?

Think about it.

Look, if you wish to come in here and defend the WVU band, there was no need to. I have nothing but high regard for WVU. I'm proud of WVU, the marching band, and what my daughter is/has accomplished up there. I know she has a long way to go, no doubt. But she's progressing well.

And I'm very proud of her.

To think I'm cutting down the WVU band, or if you think I'm not going to defend my daughter-- well,
putting it in musical terms--you're off key.

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Whether you meant to or not, you posted all that information in a completely condescending manner. You went on about how she could play through an LSU cadence when she was 15, wanted to be in LSU's band and just didn't make it for whatever reason. Then, you acted like she blew away everyone at WVU and made the tenor line ("quints"), which obviously isn't true.

Whether it's a sub-conscious thing or not, I don't know. From the tone of your post, you seem to think there's no way WVU's marching band could be on the same level as LSU's.

I'm not trying to downplay any of your daughter's achievements in any way because I know first-hand how difficult it is to even make the cymbal line in WVU's marching band. I also know first-hand how tough it is to be in the music department at WVU. I was there just a couple years ago. I was a four-year member of the drumline and, like your daughter, I started out as a freshman playing cymbals in the drumline, then moved onto snare. As a music student, I was principle percussionist in the Wind Symphony for a semester and played lead pan in the award-winning WVU Steel ensemble. I know the kinds of things your daughter has to do on a daily basis just to get by, so please don't think I'm saying anything negative about her.

I know Prof. Willis and I talk to members of the drumline (primarily the older ones that were freshmen when I was a senior) on a regular basis. I know how tightly-knit that group is. I'm part of it.

When I read that post you made, I felt disrespected. I'm sure you didn't mean any harm by it, but some of the things you tried to say about her position in the line (as a tenor player) were known by me as false. That's why I posted what I posted as a response.

Sorry about bumping an old thread, but there are a couple things I want to clear up about this post:

BT4LSU wrote: "My daughter dreamed of playing in the LSU band for years. When she finally applied, there were no openings for her in her speciality..... so
she ended up at WVU. Great music school, band was in desperate needed percussion, skolly was available, so I sadly approved."

WVU regularly has 70+ students audition for 30 spots in the drumline. That's hardly 'in desperate need of percussion.' Secondly, the school does NOT offer scholarships for marching band members.

"She blew them away in summer camp and as a freshman and moved up quick, from quints to lead percussion."

This is a complete lie. It was mentioned in a later post that this girl's name is Ashley. The only Ashley I know of in the drumline plays cymbals and holds no position of leadership in the WVU drumline. Unless her goal was to make the cymbal line, I seriously doubt she blew anyone away.


"And while I am proud to say she is currently lead percussion, in the symphonic band.... I'm more than terrified that there is a very good chance she'll be the drum major at WVU come September 2010."

Assuming she's a music student, this actually could be true, but I don't think a freshman is the principle percussionist in the WVU Symphony Orchestra. When I was in the College of Creative Arts, the percussion spots were filled with the senior (and juniors if needed) members of the percussion studio. There is a new head of percussion at the school, so I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as when I was there. However, I do know that for at least one year (after I was gone) there were auditions held. Everyone had the same audition you were placed based on the results of said audition.

It is a possibility that she is principle percussionist in the WVU Wind Symphony. If that's the case, congratulations to her.

"She told me she always dreamed of being the drum major a leading the band in Tiger Stadium.

And now..... good god almighty."

Don't get me wrong, I do wish her good luck as she is a member of a group that I have nothing but fond memories of, but please do not spread things that are untrue in a veiled attempt to downplay the prestige of a marching band that has received the Sudler Trophy.