Jordan Independent - Marching Band Uniforms - Comments

Yup. That's what I'm getting

Composition.Notebook — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:01:45 -0500

Yup. That's what I'm getting at. Many of the kids are talking about doing something like that.

CN, I understand that it

JeffyB — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:44:11 -0500

CN,
I understand that it doesn't need to be that way, hence the reason for stating that if there is an actual need, the school needs to look into lighterweight uniforms that still look professional.
We did have some folks fall out during one of the trips to Florida, but again, it comes down to conditioning.
I don't have any problem in wearing matching pants and shirts, and if it means tan khakis, and maroon or white polos with an embroidered band logo and matching tennis shoes (all white) for comfort when the temps are going to be above 75, then I'm all for it, as long as there's uniformity amongst the band members.
I've seen other school's marching bands at State Fair in recent years wear Dockers and polos and they still look sharp when they march.

If you watched the

readdwa — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:20:51 -0500

If you watched the Oklahoma/Texas game on Saturday, you may have noticed that they showed a clip of the band marching in the parade before the game and they were all wearing T-shirts and shorts. Now, they were all the same color but they were the school colors. Then, during the game, they were wearing their marching uniforms. Personally, I don't have a problem with them not wearing their uniforms for the homecoming parade. It's more about school spirit and pride than show.

I agree with Skruger. I know

Composition.Notebook — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:08:13 -0500

I agree with Skruger. I know they have gone to many of the events the band has played at, for I have seem them there taking photos. I appreciate that.
JeffyB, just because you were put through the misery of wearing the hot band uniforms, doesn't mean it needs to stay that way. Times do chance, and if you believe in global warming, you would understand that the world is warmer than it was twenty years ago when you wore them. I agree that the school needs to take steps to make sure the kids who have to wear them are safe and will not pass out wearing the uniforms when they march. They should get uniforms that are not as hot, but they do not have any money in the budget to buy new uniforms. This is why just wearing school colors on Homecoming is a good way to go. It is comfortable, and it is a lot less hot than the uniforms are.

Being an alumni myself of

JeffyB — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:20:00 -0500

Being an alumni myself of "Buzz's Band" ('84-'87), State Fair was a priority, in addition to Homecoming, the football, volleyball, basketball games and wrestling matches (providing pregame/match and half-time music).
After the fall sports season, we started practice for the winter and spring concerts, but still provided the music for the winter sports. During the spring, we got back in shape for the Memorial Day ceremonies.
Yes, the maroon wool uniforms were hot, but as mentioned above, it was something that we had to condition ourselves for. And just like athletes have to condition for their respective sports, band members also have to condition themselves for whatever parades that are done. I also was on two Florida trips, and we marched Disneyworld, Seaworld, Old Town, as well as performances at EPCOT. All done in the maroon wool uniforms - talk about hot and sticky...
If there's a legitimate problem with the white poly uniforms and heat, then maybe the school should look into newer, lightweight fabrics that still look professional for both parades and concerts.
I'd love to be part of the alumni band; unfortunately my current job situation has me out of state (and soon to be country)!

I think the band does a

skruger — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:13:11 -0500

I think the band does a fantastic job for a small size band, they sound amazing. I'm always so proud of them at the Volleyball games and Football games or anything they're performing at. If you think about it, it's a very big commitment. So far this year they've played at 4 Football games, 2 Volleyball games, Homecoming Corination, Heimitfest Parade and the Homecoming Parade and it's just the beginning of October. The run to the Volleyball State Tournament is just around the corner and the Band in the past has performed at every game starting with Section play. That can mean up to 2 games a week. Right after that it's Basketball season. Being the size that they are, the kids are all required to show up for all these functions. State Fair-not a priority.

Jtownmomof3, I can

Mathias Baden — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:55:15 -0500

Jtownmomof3, I can understand your concern and I appreciate you letting me know. I thought your words were tactful, and that is why I quoted you in the print edition.

Yes, things are always out of context in the newspaper and on this Web site. Truth is told over a long period of time, through a number of stories, comments, letters to the editor, columns, blogs, and various other things that newspaper people and readers do.

In this case, by putting part of the online conversations in the print edition, I was trying to provide a snapshot for readers. Some others might want to join in the conversation.

As a side note, writers: Please note that content appearing on this Web site, even if it is submitted by a reader, is the property of Southwest Newspapers. Thank you for writing.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Matthias--your edit of my

jtownmomof3 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:56:55 -0500

Matthias--your edit of my post on this topic which appeared in the print edition misrepresented my intent. My point was that in 2008, we have an excellent, award winning CONCERT band, and alumni should be aware of that fact and apprieciate the program for those accomplishments. Unfortunately, your edit of my words (which were intended only as a lead in to my point) could easily be read to express the "It ain't what it used to be" sentiment I was tactfully trying to discourage.

I feel you used my words out of context, which I think might be taboo in journalism, am I correct? I guess I'll post more succinctly in the future, so as to reduce the risk of being edited for content again.

Yea, Rah Rah Band!

I have asked the director

Jason Allen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:01:58 -0500

I have asked the director why we don't play at the State Fair anymore? He has never once said it's cause he don't like to march, he told me it was hard to get the kids to show up for practice for it. If he don't like to march, I would have loved to heard that from him and would have accepted that answer.

I'm glad the alumni posting

jtownmomof3 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:14:01 -0500

I'm glad the alumni posting on this forum have good memories of their days in band. I'm glad they had an excellent MARCHING band, back in the day.

Today, in 2008, the fact is, Jordan's band program is different from "back in the day." Different director, different kids, different amount of adminstrative support, different funding, and a different musical focus. (And from the looks of this forum, a different amount of community support as well.) Nobody can reasonably expect the exact same appearance from an entirely different program. Times change.

In 2008, we have a CONCERT band that takes the highest level awards in comptetition. We have a director that works hard and demands a lot from his students to make that happen. The fact that marching band is not top priority at JHS in 2008 is just how it is.

I think we would benefit from valuing what is here in the present rather than nit-picking and making comparisions to the past. Let's live in the present.

Yeah. Our Concert Band goes

Composition.Notebook — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:28:57 -0500

Yeah. Our Concert Band goes all year; it's been that way for years. I agree that many of you seem to not appreciate the Jordan Band. We are tiny (approximately half of what my parents had when they were in band) and the fact that we are as good and powerful as we are is incredible. Our director, honestly, like I said before, does not like marching. I remember him telling us this a few years ago. Just because he doesn't like it, doesn't mean he doesn't try to get us up to a decent standard. And the fact is that the only practicing we did in the week of the homecoming parade is the practicing we did on the field for the field show. The cop was driving very slow, and marching in step at a slow pace while playing a faster song is incredibly hard. I understand that seeing a band out of step looks horrible, but that is how it went. And the people that hold the flag do not count, we honestly pulled them out of class that morning and asked them to hold our flag (same as we did for Hemitfest). Parents have changed over years, yes. Parents don't want to have to drive their children up to the school five times a week to play for pep band (at volleyball games and such), because I'm sure many of them were not in band and do not want to "waste" gas. And it is a relatively short amount of time we play, lasting about an hour for Volleyball.
Homecoming is the one parade, the one time throughout the entire year, we don't wear uniforms when we possibly could. Don't get so bent out of shape for one time. Jordan is our home, and we feel comfortable enough that we believe that the community will see that Homecoming is more of a high school dress up event than a big community event. Yes, it is about people coming back, but we have not dressed in formal uniforms for the Homecoming Parade for years.
All of you are saying formal, hot, polyester uniforms could be worn and that many schools wear them. But just because everyone does it, doesn't mean it is good. So if someone jumps off a bridge, I guess "all" of you would too.
Jason - Have you noticed that we do not play the State Fair? If we played the State Fair, I'm sure we would wear uniforms, but we don't play at that.

I have been to many band

Jason Allen — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:00:19 -0500

I have been to many band concerts and have never said I don't like listening to the band playing. We too had "CONCERT" band in school, that usually started in the winter months, and yes we won many awards and competitions also. I guess I would have a problem with the "parents" then. Seems like they don't want you playing those expensive instruments they have bought you more than once a week, seems like they don't want to march along the side and carry water for you during a hot parade, seems like they just want to sit back in the audatorium and watch a concert band play. Things have really changed.

I hope the band continues to do good at State competitions, and also continue the good concert band music.

Wow. All I can say is be

RiverValleyGirl — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:53:00 -0500

Wow. All I can say is be glad the band has only had ONE director for awhile. And I use the word "awhile" loosely. I joined JHS band as soon as Mr. Klehr offered lessons (5th or 6th grade) During my entire school career in Jordan (K-12) we had FOUR count them, FOUR band directors. Cliff Klehr first, then retired. Ms. Heidi Thelan (I think, its been awhile), second, replaced due to "accusations." Third, Mr. Webber, resigned. Fourth, my senior year, can't remember her name though....Miss something or other...
My point, at least this guy seems to care about the band in some aspect. Whether or not he likes marching band, I know the band does well in concert settings, and that says something. I personally feel that I didn't get that much out of band during the 6-7 years I was a member due to the incredible turnover in directors. Each director was so different in personality, musical tastes, etc. there was never any consistancy. Band trip to Florida? HA. NEVER happened. Oh, and the uniforms in discussion, we were fitted for those going into the 9th grade (class of 2001) I remember it was such a HUGE deal, because they were so "top of the line" and expensive. We had to take incredible care of those uniforms, that sadly, we barely ever wore due to the complete chaos caused by high turnover in directors.
It was great being able to wear those brand new custom fit uniforms with pride----when it wasn't too hot or humid.
In my opinion, a quality director is more important than "nice, community pride inspiring" uniforms. Both would be great, but can't we be happy that we at least have the important part covered?

My original comment was that

Ray Sandey — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:10:01 -0500

My original comment was that the "Marching Band" should wear Band Uniforms while marching in the homecoming parade. I was told to keep my nose out of it because it wasn't about me. I wasn't going to speak to or about the band director because I don't know him. I had access to the superintendant so I said something to him.

Also if you look back at the beginning of the threads on this subject, you brought it up, we didn't.

The only thing I'll comment

Andrew Link — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:03:49 -0500

The only thing I'll comment on is the discrepancy between "J-townfanmischief" and "Composition.Notebook"'s comments...

Earlier Composition.Notebook said, "He (the band director) absolutly dislikes marching band, that is why we don't march with our knees high..."

Now J-townmischief says, "he (the band director) still likes pep band and marching. That's just not his forte..."

Both of you are spouting off things like they are facts. One, or both, of you are wrong. So at this point it's hard to believe anything you two comment on.

All of my comments are my opinion, so take them as they are.

And I still think band is more extra-curricular than just a class.

Marching Band Uniforms

Composition.Notebook — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:26:18 -0500

I have recently heard of someone from the community talking about the Marching Band's dress for the homecoming parade. I was surprised to hear that that person did not go to the teacher, but that they went to the school superinentant.