Band making pregame changes... again.

[WarDlowe 39]

Some buddies of mine told me last night that they are yet again changing a perfectly good thing for pregame. They will not be going all the way to the south end during War Eagle, and then will go straight into Glory (no drum cadence in the middle) but will stop in the middle of Glory. Instead of forming the Eagle while Samford Tower/National Anthem is played, they will be forming USA and playing God Bless America/National Anthem. There will be no pep music when they get back to the North end as they are trying to get to the end zone as the team runs out (the only thing i think is cool). Both the people taht told me about this said that they are in the band and don't like it and expect the fans not to either. Guess we can't keep a good thing going, but i'll still be on my feet cheering for them.

[saniflush 0]

Yea but what about the stripper boots and hair buns?

[CircleDrill 180]

Stripper boots never went away for pre-game.

When the "new" pre-game show was changed for the 2004 season, the band was a little smaller. The pre-game show was only written for 256 performers. Because the drill charts for the pre-game are very technical, they are not re-written each year. The kids do EXACTLY the same pre-game show every year for 256 people. But there are over 400 kids in the band this year, so I am not surprised that they have altered it. I would not want 150 of my students to not be able to participate in this core of the Auburn Band experience. I'm just saying...

They also got new uniforms this year, so everybody be ready for that. There's sure to be a lot of complaining about that, just because it's new. I think one of the uniforms has an orange coat, and I think they are wearing the orange coat for the KSU game. So get ready for people to gripe. Of course, if we WIN, then the orange coats will be lucky. If we lose, emails will flood the director's office about how the band should not have worn those orange uniforms because they caused us to lose the game.

Either way, I support the band and their new director 110%!!!!!!!!!!! War Damn Band!!!!!!!!

[PChamp119 96]

What a surprise - Auburn changing something the fans like to something they probably won't. The trend continues...

[CircleDrill 180]

What a surprise - Auburn changing something the fans like to something they probably won't. The trend continues...

You don't even know if you like it or not, yet! At least SEE it before you decide!!

[PChamp119 96]

What a surprise - Auburn changing something the fans like to something they probably won't. The trend continues...

You don't even know if you like it or not, yet! At least SEE it before you decide!!

True, I'll give you that. I'm just a fan of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[CircleDrill 180]

True, I'll give you that. I'm just a fan of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Sure. Everybody is. But I will just tell you that when you start "tweaking" something like that pre-game show drill, it quickly turns into a can of worms.

Believe, me, there is no one among the band staff that wants to do things that the fans will not like. It is one of the first things constantly on their minds, behind the experience for the members.

[TigerMom 0]

I've seen the new uniforms. They look great! Evidently they will be in full uniform for the first game. I have also heard them - The sound is incredible! I think everyone will be happy.

[AUesquire 1]

I agree there are certain traditions that let you know this is the Auburn experience. Some things have changed for the better, for instance the most AUsome tradition in college sports...the eagle circling the stadium prior to kickoff. If that doesn't give you chills, check your pulse because you're probably dead.

I'm anxious to see the new scoreboard in person. I have no doubt it's going to be incredible. Then again, some new traditions almost ruin gameday for me. You know, like how Supperclub has started riding his Schwinn down Donahue just before Tiger Walk, wearing only a pair of Orange and Blue Crocs, whistling the Alma Mater and throwing candy to the children. I don't know, it just doesn't say Auburn to me.

[outoftowntiger 0]

I agree there are certain traditions that let you know this is the Auburn experience. Some things have changed for the better, for instance the most AUsome tradition in college sports...the eagle circling the stadium prior to kickoff. If that doesn't give you chills, check your pulse because you're probably dead.

I'm anxious to see the new scoreboard in person. I have no doubt it's going to be incredible. Then again, some new traditions almost ruin gameday for me. You know, like how Supperclub has started riding his Schwinn down Donahue just before Tiger Walk, wearing only a pair of Orange and Blue Crocs, whistling the Alma Mater and throwing candy to the children. I don't know, it just doesn't say Auburn to me.

Do you have some problem with cyclists?

[lca408 382]

So what are they not doing now?

They'll go straight into "Glory" from "War Eagle" without drum cadence?

No presentation of the Auburn Creed?

No "The Horse" or "Tiger Rag?"

No other music from the band once in the AU at the tunnel?

Umm, that's Gay.

[kickinwang 0]

I agree there are certain traditions that let you know this is the Auburn experience. Some things have changed for the better, for instance the most AUsome tradition in college sports...the eagle circling the stadium prior to kickoff. If that doesn't give you chills, check your pulse because you're probably dead.

I'm anxious to see the new scoreboard in person. I have no doubt it's going to be incredible. Then again, some new traditions almost ruin gameday for me. You know, like how Supperclub has started riding his Schwinn down Donahue just before Tiger Walk, wearing only a pair of Orange and Blue Crocs, whistling the Alma Mater and throwing candy to the children. I don't know, it just doesn't say Auburn to me.

Do you have some problem with cyclists?

i think its the crocs

[AUBandDad 0]

Just to confirm what CircleDrill said above: according to BandDaughter, they are definitely wearing the orange jackets this Saturday, in keeping with the All Auburn All Orange theme, with white pants. The other changes mentioned also agree with what she has told us about pregame.

If I remember correctly, with the new uniforms they also have a blue jacket and blue pants, giving them 4 possible combos; same number as before.

The first halftime show will consist of music from recent popular movies (Pirates, Transformers, etc.). We won't be at the first game, but we will be at the USF game, so I guess we'll see it all then.

[tubahoss 0]

I bet its that new band director from Alabama just trying to sabotage the AUMB......rammer jammers just ruin everything.

[saniflush 0]

I agree there are certain traditions that let you know this is the Auburn experience. Some things have changed for the better, for instance the most AUsome tradition in college sports...the eagle circling the stadium prior to kickoff. If that doesn't give you chills, check your pulse because you're probably dead.

I'm anxious to see the new scoreboard in person. I have no doubt it's going to be incredible. Then again, some new traditions almost ruin gameday for me. You know, like how Supperclub has started riding his Schwinn down Donahue just before Tiger Walk, wearing only a pair of Orange and Blue Crocs, whistling the Alma Mater and throwing candy to the children. I don't know, it just doesn't say Auburn to me.

Do you have some problem with cyclists?

i think its the crocs

Nah. But it rhymes with it.

[AU alum 2]

Some buddies of mine told me last night that they are yet again changing a perfectly good thing for pregame. They will not be going all the way to the south end during War Eagle, and then will go straight into Glory (no drum cadence in the middle) but will stop in the middle of Glory. Instead of forming the Eagle while Samford Tower/National Anthem is played, they will be forming USA and playing God Bless America/National Anthem. There will be no pep music when they get back to the North end as they are trying to get to the end zone as the team runs out (the only thing i think is cool). Both the people taht told me about this said that they are in the band and don't like it and expect the fans not to either. Guess we can't keep a good thing going, but i'll still be on my feet cheering for them.

No drum cadence?

[autiger4life 3]

There are right at 375 people in the band this year, and I can't wait to see the orange jackets. I wish everyone in the stands wore orange. I hate when I see white spots, as much as I like the Tiger Rags shirts. I'm fine with the new changes, but it won't take me much to get fired up. Also, the first game is movie themes from movies like Pirates and I think Gladiator, so I can't wait to hear 375 members pumping out some Hans Zimmer. War Damn Eagle!!!

[Boonan 0]

Having actually done both of the last 2 versions of pregame I prefer the oldest one the best... the one where we started in the buns in the end zone and went down the field. I hated all that high stepping crap in the new one. Plus I couldn't see the eagle from being crammed up under the stadium.

[autkidd 0]

I did both pregames as well... I prefer the new one... Granted I hatednot seeing the eagle... But there was just something about coming out of the tunnel that all the Auburn greats came out of before games...

I've seen the new jackets...

The back looks really good... They have the interlocking on the back...

The front...

All it basically is... a stripe of the opposite color of the jacket and the Band A.... extremely plain and High Schoolish looking... I know many band members complaining about it as well... It shows a lack of creativity IMO...

I'm sure there is a reason behind it... but I guess we'll have to see.

[hccobb 0]

I honestly don't understand why people QQ about the band so much. Seriously. Until you've been in Dr. Spurling's shoes and dealt with everything he has deal with kick back and enjoy the show and the fact that our university has one of the most respected programs in the country. It doesn't get to be that way by being complacent. The staff make the best decisions for the kids first, followed closely by what's best for the people in the stadium. If they made a change I guarantee it wasn't done haphazardly.

Drill for 400 spots is much different than drill for 250-300. How many of you can even write drill? How many of you can even read music? Write an arrangement? Manage the schedules/lives/money of 400 kids? Make 150 new students feel comfortable on campus and ease fears about performing in front of 87,000 people. All the while rehearsing and juggling it all at the same time so your group looks the best it can and disrupts your kids lives as little as possible and ends up being a positive experience. If you can't do all of those things you really don't have any room to comment on this matter because you have no clue what you're talking about.

I guarantee that the pregame changes were made for a good reason. I also guarantee that the staff will evaluate it and revise it if needed. As for the uniforms I haven't seen them and will hold judgment until I see them.

Bottom line: Don't whine until you see it.

[AUHonors 0]

I have seen the "new" pregame show, and I would place money that most people in the crowd will not notice much of a difference. The whole show seems to move a lot quicker since the "scatter drill" between songs has been replaced with quicker moves. Also, during God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner, the band makes a giant USA rather than the eagle.

That's about it.

I have also seen the new uniforms, and I like them a lot. It is really just personal preference I suppose. They are very different from the old uniforms which I also liked.

The band sounds GREAT this year, guys, and they are working their tails off in some HOT, HOT weather. I think you will be very pleased.

[AUesquire 1]

Cool, thanks for the report. I'm looking forward to the band and the whole experience. By the way, as small an item as this may sound like, I love the beat they have marched into the stadium to for years. Where they come in and circle the perimeter of the field. My wife thinks I'm stoopid (well, she's right) but I hear that and see them come in and that's one of the things that makes me go, "Oh yeah, Auburn football is here, baby".

[autkidd 0]

What I'm upset with is really the whole eagle formation being done away with... It is a symbol of both Auburn AND the US... and to be honest... I'm there at the game for Auburn... not the USA... Wait till I go to a US soccer game or something like that and then I'd love to see a USA formation...

Although I'm sure it is probably tough to do an Eagle Formation with so many people...

From what I have heard... they do sound great... and they have much more spirit than many others out there... especially Alabama... They are not rewarded all that much for their support...

Something should be said for having so many people join the band and go through the rigorous camp for little to nothing in scholarship money...

[CircleDrill 180]

Well, I know that one of the priorities in everything that the band has done in the past 3-4 years has been to keep the energy "up." Especially in pre-game. The "new" pre-game show was designed to have less "down time" and more energy, and keep the momentum going, where they previously lost a lot of momentum with the Patriotic medley. However, there were some things mandated that would be in there by administrative levels. For instance, the creed on the JumboTron was not part of the original design. It was a big hit with a lot of the crowd, but it was never part of the original plan, so it never really "flowed," but was kind of "patched in" to the pre-game show.

I can only imagine that any changes they have made have still been in this direction of decreasing downtime and keeping energy and momentum "up."

Admittedly, everything does not always work like they want it to. But these guys are among the best in the business, and they will try to do the best they can.

[abrnfanatc 6]

SO, does this qualify as another #%$#$%#$^#^ orange uniform thread???