No Dudley for student section after halftime

[shockar25]

A bit of a tangent, but the dept. should give incentive and credit to members who participate in DCI over the summer. Maybe that would help.

As for the music program, having attended four of their concerts so far this year (2 jazz, 2 wind ensemble) I can say there are some talented musicians there (a very fine rhythm section in the jazz band!). But overall, other than a few individuals, I'm not sure the jazz band today is much better than the HCC jazz band I played in back in '89-'90. At least not as much as you would expect between the two levels. To be fair, we had some talented musicians at HCC then who are playing in various professional capacities today. Don't get me wrong, the bands sound good, just not quite as good as I remember them being in the late 80s.

Back on topic, I agree with those who feel the scripts need to be dumped along with the canned music. I would love it if they could add another 8-10 members for more volume, but that is a money issue.

Yes, the marching band techniques class at WSU doesn't cut it for those wanting to teach in the schools--particularly the HS level.

Beyond that, the music program is pretty healthy I think. Just like athletic programs talent levels vary from year to year, but I think overall things are in good shape.

I can't believe that they'd actually take Dudley out after half time. After all, what else is happening then? Don Hall says, "Everyone up in Charles Koch Arena!" so why wouldn't they be ok to play it? It just doesn't make any sense. I can understand the thought that money might have something to do with it, but I just don't see it in this particular instance. Money issues would be more of the 'slam dunk sponsored by' or 'three pointer sponsored by' but not removing Dudley.

[ShockerFan87]

To all those who have posted in this thread, and for those who have viewed it silently, and for those who may post on it in the future:

I have been asked by a couple members of the band who know that I post on here to let everyone know that there was some miscommunication that occurred during the Chicago State game, resulting in the lack of Dudley being played before the second half. I have been told that this situation has since been remedied and should not happen again. I don't know the nature of the miscommunication, only that something happened resulting in said misunderstanding. I know this seems very vague, but I'm passing on the message as I was asked to, and hope that this inspires hope in those who want to hear Dudley. To my knowledge, this is not a tradition that is going away, just a simple miscommunication that has since been taken care of. I can't guarantee that it will be back for Newman, but it is my honest hope and belief that it will be ringing in your ears before each half the rest of season!

Thanks for your continued support of the Shocker Sound Pep Band, and of course, our beloved Wichita State Shockers. Let's cheer them on to victory against Newman, and then let's prepare for the Valley!

[WSU Shocker]

To all those who have posted in this thread, and for those who have viewed it silently, and for those who may post on it in the future:

I have been asked by a couple members of the band who know that I post on here to let everyone know that there was some miscommunication that occurred during the Chicago State game, resulting in the lack of Dudley being played before the second half. I have been told that this situation has since been remedied and should not happen again. I don't know the nature of the miscommunication, only that something happened resulting in said misunderstanding. I know this seems very vague, but I'm passing on the message as I was asked to, and hope that this inspires hope in those who want to hear Dudley. To my knowledge, this is not a tradition that is going away, just a simple miscommunication that has since been taken care of. I can't guarantee that it will be back for Newman, but it is my honest hope and belief that it will be ringing in your ears before each half the rest of season!

Thanks for your continued support of the Shocker Sound Pep Band, and of course, our beloved Wichita State Shockers. Let's cheer them on to victory against Newman, and then let's prepare for the Valley!

You mean there is no great conspiracy to hack off the fans here on ShockerNet?!

[ripemupshocks]

You mean there is no great conspiracy to hack off the fans here on ShockerNet?!

No Great Conspiracy! Just Bad Management!

[ripemupshocks]

The music and all the script is about the money but without all the sponsers we wouldnt be as successful of a program. I gurantee that.

Sponsors don't breed success! Winning breeds success! The sponsors are only there to make a buck off of the hard work of players and coach's.

[ShockerPhi]

Well I'm glad to here it was only a miscommunication.

Or am I?

Too many miscommunications/screw ups for the in-game production! Thank goodness we have a stellar basketball team. Now we just need the professionalism on the side of the court to back them up. Sheesh...

[BikeIdiot]

The reason you have heard it with Michigan State is because back in the 70s and 80s there was quite a pipeline between MSU and WSU. Even the WSU Marching Band's WSU block just inverted the M from the MSU one. Big reason for the pipeline was the fact that Dave Catron, an MSU guy, was Director of Bands here for quite some time, and then after he returned to MSU, we had a few GTAs that were MSU undergrads.

As for the script issue, I know I will be emailing Mr. Sexton regarding it. I encourage all who agree Dudley should be a FIXTURE at the start of each half to do the same.

I want to follow up on a few things.

First off, as a new member of Shockernet I want to list my credentials to comment on the pepband at WSU. I came to WSU on a full ride music scholarship in 1985 and played on the field during our last football game. Our Marching Band Grad Assistant and Director of the Pep Band was John Madden (not the football one!) and he was a Michigan State graduate. In fact, he wrote (or stole and then brought to WSU) the "Let's Go Shox" song the pep band still plays.

I played percussion in marching band and bass guitar in the pep band from 1985-1989. We had several traditions at that time including playing Dudley before both halves, playing Happy Tralls after an opposing players fouled out (my idea!), playing Shocker Fight when the team took the floor, and others. At that time we were barred from playing the Hell Cheer by President Armstrong. I and several others organized the "sit in" and renegade pep band after one of the games to protest the banning and I was called into the president's office for a "chat" before the protest.

Back in the mid-1980s there was always confusion between the announcer and pep band over what was going to happen when. The rule of thumb was the band always played during key moments when the team was rallying or needed a pick me up or to keep the crowd into the game. But there were times when both things happened at ounce. The script was introduced and we immediately noticed a diminishing role for the pep band.

Over the years, the band has played less and "canned" music's role was ever increasing. Has anyone noticed the Fight Song is no longer played when the team takes the floor? This tradition dated back to the 1950s. Instead "Get Ready For This", a 1991 dance song, greets our team. By the way, this is the same song the Wichita Wings played back in the last 1990s. So much for tradition.

There should be no miscommunication over Dudley. Ever. It should be automatic. The band plays an important part in the mood of the crowd. During Saturday's Utah State game, a timeout was called with about 5:00 remaining and Utah St making a push to tie the game. The crowd was loud and trying to push the Shox to regain control. Instead of a quick hit of Shocker Fight or Hail Wichita, there were 30 seconds of nothing. I notice the band yelling at the director to play something. Finally he got word over his headset and the band started playing "We're Not Gonna Take It' and the crowd sat down. He should have played the fight song. Then the canned music started and when the Shox took the floor Koch Arena was silent.

During a game last year the opponent called a timeout after the Shox made a furious run to get back into the game. The arena was loud and cheering. After the time out, the band sat and Don Hall read a list of announcements. The spirit left the arena. I called the Grad Assistant the next day and he told me he was only allowed to play after Shocker timeouts. When the opposing team called a time out, the marketing dept had priority. Isn't this backwards? When the opposing team is rattled, don't we want noise and mayhem at the Arena?

I spoke with the director of bands at East High. He also played in the pep band int he 1980s and has been the alumni band director for the pep band during the Christmas break up until 5 years ago. He said the script drives everything. He butted heads with the 20 somethings who work in marketing and hasn't been asked back since.

I am going to write Eric Sexton. But I am not going to stop there. I am also going to write the Eagle, call Mike Kennedy, Sports Daily and other radio shows. I will write the marketing dept and the music dept. I will ask Bob Lutz to write an article (yeah...good luck with me there). If you are upset about the diminishing role of tradition and the increasing role of canned, NBA style presentations, then I encourage you to join me.

Aaron Santry

[fuball7]

Sponsors don't breed success! Winning breeds success! The sponsors are only there to make a buck off of the hard work of players and coach's.

Without the support of the community and the sponsers we dont get the coach and players that can be successful. Money that is allocated to the coaches is allowed to be because we have sponsers taking care of the other neccessities. Its simple marketing and management. Im not saying that sponsers are the main reason we are successful but it helps the whole product be more successful.

[Kung Wu]

President Beggs are you listening? One more thing to tidy up before you leave!

[ShockTalk]

Very good, @BikeIdiot:! Best of luck and hope you make some headway.

[DUShock]

Less can more band!

[ShockerFan87]

Less can more band!

+1000

[shox1989]

I am with you 1000% BikeIdiot!