Wow. It's getting hot in here.
3 of my coworkers (1 MEAC grad, 1 Big Ten grad) took the trip to New Orleans for the Battle of the Bands.
I tried to stay out of this because unfortunately, you guys don't have judges to make a decision on who won the battle. I do agree that Grambling please the crowd more than Southern did. Southern's crowd did their best to carry their band over, but the result was evident while walking around the city. Every GSU fan I meet seem happy about their bands performance, but I can't say the same for SU fans.
I personally thought SU sounded better on more selections, but wasn't impressed with their song selection. There is a difference between playing "classic old school hits" verses playing "old" songs. Southern played quite a few questionable selections. No offense to GSU, but most of the Battle of the Bands that I have been to, GSU is the band usually playing songs that make people say, "why in the hell are they playing that?" Also, SU usually takes the W's in my book as well. This year, I would have to say that Grambling won the battle of the bands. Everyone knows that SU folks have strong pride and will never admit when they aren't up to par, but it is what it is.
Questions and Concerns
Grambling: Please stop trying to take us to church every time we make this trip. That wait in the water wasn't called for! When it's time to march out and leave, please march out and leave. All of that hopping around and jumping around when Southern is preparing to exit is annoying! Please tell who ever recruited your dancers to keep those pretty ladies coming! GSU usually doesn't bring it like that. And what in the hell was that outfit that the band marching in on Friday night? Ugh! This wasn't a Chinese New Year event!
Southern: Your attention whore for a band director needs chill out. As someone has already said, he is a corn ball and should just conduct the band instead of being out-classed by GSU's staff. It's starting to rub off on your kids because the drum major and a few other members looked like a bunch of tap dancing clowns while the opposing band was playing. The entire band going to sleep is one thing, but just a few acting like they have a mental condition and can't keep still is another. Don't ya'll think that the "ok" chant is kind of out of style? Why does Southern play "Neck" at the battle of the bands?
You people are so ignorant that you don't have a clue. Your perception of Nathan Haymer is mute, null, and void. So sit down and STFU. Y'all sound like little school girls. As long as the Southern University Board is fine with him that is all that matters. He isn't going anywhere. JSU has bigger issues they need to be concerned with. Hell, they just forced a Legend into early retirement.
Facts about with this "cornball" has done at the helm of the Jukebox.
1. Scholarship budget deficit was raised and fully funded.
2. The HJAA is more united than ever and actively addressing needs of the HJ.
3. The band has WORKED harder the past two years than most of you bands have in 10 years.
4. The Human Jukebox Communitiy Involvement is at an all time high.
5. The NEEDs of the band needs were surfaced and actively being addressed. The university will increase SU's budget next year.
6. The entire staff is new in position, yet tradition hasn't missed a beat. Are the perfect? Of course not.
7. The band has built more CORPORATE sponsorships in the past two years than the last 15 years.
8. One of the largest High School Bands Camps in the nation.
9. New instruments. Percussion and euphoniums.
So while you people are on the internet trying to tear down this man's credibility, he is taking the Band Program to greater heights. Hell, every director in SU History has gotten attention. You people, mainly JSU folks, talk more crap about SU when your 2015 band........ Never mind. Too easy...
Hypocrisy is at all time high. You people couldn't destroy SU even if you tried! So keep trying.
