Halftime Show Volume
I sit in section 19 and could barely hear much of the halftime show, particularly the trumpet and trombone solos. I'm very disappointed we had some of the best musicians in the world playing on our field and I couldn't hear them. The only time I could really hear is when the entire ensemble of Philharmonic, chorale, band and alumni band played. Did anyone else have this same problem?
October 11th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
I guess this program is in much better shape than it has been in a while if this is what we have to complain about.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
Michigan fans aren't happy unless we have something to complain about.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
This was the only time this season the student section could hear the band, and it was because they wheeled out giant stacks of speakers for the mic'd up NY Phil/Brass section.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
Why don't they always use them? Made for a markedly better experience.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
I heard Dave Brandon bought cheaper instruments to save money, and was trying to get band members to "upgrade" to louder instruments (with Adidis logo) for a $500 fee and a 2L of Coke product.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:41 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
Just a continuing issue. The band seems to be trained to sacrifice volume and presentation on the altar of finesse and technique. Not a problem with an orchestra, but not exactly what the general marching band aims for. It's gotten progressively quieter for as long as I've been going to games(94), and doesn't seem to be headed back to being loud anytime soon.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
A good friend was in the MMB back in the early '80s, and he says that finesse and technique were emphasized over volume even back then.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^
Which is why Michigan will remain an average marching band. Great musicians, but they produce a clinical, uninspired sound. Playing as an orchestra, in a hall, they would probably be great. As a marching band, it just doesn't work.
/waiting for Bando to come tell me how wrong I am
October 11th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
But I've thought since I got to UM in 1971 that frequently it's a ponderous aggregation that plays without snap or tempo. I think some of this is due to its size and the proportion of woodwinds, but I also think the selection of music is generally boring and uninspired.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Everyone has a different opinion. However, when comparing it to the bands that are nationally recognized as being outstanding, Michigan's band is lacking.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
Who was a demanding taskmaster in every respect, from the musical side to the marching-in-formation end of things. The musical advantage he had was that the vast majority of music that the band played was stuff originally written for marching or concert bands, so the translation to a large group marching around on the football field was reasonably direct.
When Revelli retired and George Cavender assumed control in '71, Broadway show tunes started becoming a standard part of the repertoire, and to say that the renditions were awful is an understatement.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^
Been to the last 30 homecoming games, first time ever that I can recall that Temptation and The Hawiian War Chant was not played.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^
Was "The Yellow and Blue" played?
October 11th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
But maybe only in the post-game.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Sounded great in section 22. Granted, they were aimed right at us, but I thought it was really good.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
Same here. I've never enjoyed a halftime show more than that one. So much better than the usual dork-a-thons ("Bueller? Bueller?"). It's nice to see all that talent utilized well.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^
they had speakers, it was glorious....
Absolutely awesome half-time show.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:52 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
Incredible sound for most. But it's true that the other side of the stadium loses out when in concert formation. I remember feeling sorry for them. Acoustics.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
Sounded great here in Section 21. Best halftime show I have ever seen!
October 11th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^
Sound is directional and its propogation is impacted by wind direction. They have mic'd the band up for years, but that's hard to do with marching bands
October 11th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^
Sort of like you taking the time to bitch about the content of this post?
October 11th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
Enjoyed it thoroughly, and on the opposite side of the field, row 41, no problem hearing the solos.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^
I caught the tail-end of the Ode to Joy performance on BTN, and it was awesome. It sounded great, and what a perfect song for yesterday!
October 11th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^
Interesting. My family was also in section 19 in the high 80s and heard it crystal clear.
October 11th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^