Comments about ‘Y. band trumpets new rehearsal digs’

"The band is on the field, the band is on the field". Lets see if the cougar marching band can top that.

The band could stand to learn some new pieces. They should also stop playing that very silly "Popcorn Popping" piece at the end of the games.

Only poeple who have been active in a marching band can really appreciate the time effort that is put into a great band.

I love the band!
Go BYU!!!!!!!

Never been in the marhing band but can only imagine what a great thing this new addition is to the band. They deserve it. They sound great at the games, always have. GO COUGARS!!!

As a former Ute bandsman I say congratulations to the cougar band. It is wonderful to have a pleasant rehearsal facility. All college bands put in many hours to assist in making the game day experience more enjoyable. They never get enough credit for such efforts. Keep up the good work.

Oh, and GO UTES!

It's great to read about the new band facility. Under the circumstances, well deserved and perhaps over-due.

As a '79 alumni, I do have to agree with a few of the other commentors...it's about time for the Y pepband to retire a few tunes from their play-list and introduce a couple of new ones into the rotation.

The oldies are often fun...but I some of your bumper music has been around since I was cheering in the student section.

Go Blue.

As a former BYU drum major from the early 1980's, I say congratulations! It is great for you to get better support from the University.

I love hearing bands play at college football games. I just wish the halftime performances could be spiced up bit. I know there is a lot of work put into the halftime performances but I think if things were changed the band could get even more respect. Please spice up the performance!

I remember playing a halftime in the mid 70's when it was near zero. Our valves froze and some people's lips stuck to their mouthpieces. We still played and the team still won. I am glad to see that they won't have to deal with that at least in practice - but gametime can still be brutal. The band used to be as loud on cheers as the student section. Those guys really knew how to yell. Go Cougs.

At the U we used to rehearse in "the bubble" (really hot and echo-ey)during the winter until the Urban Meyer era brought the indoor practice field. The U and Y bands were always nice to each other. They gave our sax section treats when we went to provo.

I was in the BYU band and it is great that they have a place to call home...but I laugh at how all these band people think that if they blow their trumpets loud enough, it will help the cougars win. To be honest, all the "hard work" (which I didn't find hard, just time consuming) wasn't worth it for a 2-song halftime show that only 1/4 of the stadium can hear.

As a Florida State University band alumni, I'd like to congratulate the BYU Marching Band on their longevity. You are the "12th Man"!

My late father, Dick Ballou, started and directed the Cougar Marching Band back in the 50s (I believe BYU only had a ROTC band before then) and this news would make him so proud! In fact, I was born the night the original Cougar Stadium was dedicated in 1964 and my Dad was forever grateful that my Mom waited until after the halftime show to deliver me. Most people don't realize how much work goes into fielding an outstanding marching band, so it's good to see the Cougar Band get a practice facility equal to its tradition of excellence!

Great for the band.

I was in the Cougar Marching Band in 1984. Lots of fun. No scholarships then, tons of time required, recieved about 1 credit. Nice.

We lined up across from Michigan's (heralded) Wolverine Marching band. Michigan's Band blew us off the parking lot. Lucky we won the game, because the sound they put out was deafening. Awesome.

I grew up in Northern Michigan. Traverse City Trojan Marching Band. At the time, one of the reputable HS programs in the country.

When I came to BYU, I was very disappointed in the quality of music we were given to play. In high school, we played charts that were composed at Michigan and Michigan State. Tough pieces, strong music for a strong band.

I've always been disappointed in the quality of music BYU Band plays. Formations created on a computer with no creativity anymore. Actually, a very boring show each week. Too many flutes and clarinets....need to double the brass sections. Many Tubas--still hard to hear.

I hope someday you can create a band that is on the level of Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Texas, etc. Long ways to go BYU!

Percussion section...not too bad! I'm a sax player.

I was in the BYU marching band in 1968-1971. Dick Ballou and Grant Elkington were the directors. What great fun and spirit. Music was custom arranged by Newell Daley, Bob Campbell and others.Anyone remember Bo Bo Skadeeten Doteen? Also we were annonced as the "Incomparable, and UTAHS finest.... Cougar Marching Band!!!!

The Cougar band has more of a reputation outside the Wasatch Front than most people know. I was in the band in 1988 and again from 1991-1995. After that I went to grad school at UCLA. I'll never forget the reaction I got when I told the director of the Bruin marching band that I had been in the Cougar band for five years. This is a well-respected band. I just wish those football players would stop messing up the marching field.

Things have changed since the 80's. When I was in the band in the 90's, there were only 8 of each of the woodwind sections - maybe more saxes, I don't remember. But the number of woodwinds was limited, since you can't hear them anyway, and there were lots of brass. If I remember right, something like 16-24 tubas, similar numbers in the French horn and Euphonium sections, lots and lots of trumpets and trombones. And they can play loud too, when called upon to do so. The band has grown even more since then - and it sounds great! The music is often more challenging too. So a lot has changed since you were in the band in the 80's.

I honestly hope that you were being sarcastic when you said, "I just wish those football players would stop messing up the marching field" I was in the band in high school, but seriously. it's not the marching band field. It's the football field. I have always appreciated the band's contributions, and I respect the hard work they put into their shows, but come on. There were always band members who thought what they did was more important than the football team. When the band brings in 65,000 people to their shows, wait....when they bring in at least 10,000 people, then we can talk.

The marching band is important.

If halftime was ever important or even entertaining I would never have time to get my box of nachos and 20 oz cup of Sprite.

Thanks Band for giving me a reason to get up at halftime to stretch my legs and to fill my stomach.

As long as BYU halftime food sales are up the band will continue to play on.

Long live the BAND! But please spice it up!

If it is the 100th anniversary of the incomparable Cougar Marching Band, let's have a reunion. Put us all on the field together at the same time. I still have the chops!