"We are negotiating with a great musician to lead a very active and dynamic pep band that will be more suited to having sudents be the driving force behind the band. We will be sending information to all the students interested in a pep band in next few weeks. We will also be paying all the students who play in the pep band a per hour wage! Choir will remain the same."
Okay - I agree that I love a band but when participation is more non student than student then we have to make decisions about the financial and the overall viability of the band as it is now at DSU. We are in conversation with a musician that participated in the SDSU pep band and is working this summer at the International Music Camp in ND. He is very excited about getting a first rate pep band program going. I am excited because this change of direction will allow us to do what all big university band programs do. PAY our musicians to play etc. We will also be able to continue to utilize our music scholarships. I am hoping that this fun, exciting, vibrant, and financially meaningful option for students will attract more participation."
"We will be meeting with interested students and Melissa I would be glad to meet with you or any other students you think are interested in band to discuss the situation. There are alot of things that go into a decision like this. I am eager to have our students perform in front of 100's more people. I believe that once the pep band has a following that a pep band concert is even possible. I know we will have regular practice times and rehearsals just like in the past. I am not eager to just throw some student together to try and play some music at games. I want a professional looking, sounding pep band that students will want to be a part of. Doug"
"Are there others in Madison this summer who might like to meet. I will be out of town most of this week but can set something up next week. I didn't mean that the concert band didn't sound professional but that I want our pep band to be even more so and in a place where people will come to hear them. You have to admit we don't get very many people at our concerts."
"Okay to correct a few things which should have already been corrected since I have responded to Melissa about 10 times. We are repositioning the music program to attract more studens. A young, dynamic, fun director. Increasing scholarships and actually paying the students to play in the pep band should increase participation. Yes they will be expected to play at athletic contests where 100 x the number of people will be able to hear them play than ever heard a concert. I have a strong vision for this pep band and I can guarantee it will be great for musicians, much more fun, more lucrative for our young students and it will attract many more students to the music program. An old time = same old stuff music program never fit with a vibrant DSU. So get over it Oh by the way I don't think USF even has a pep band!!!! Doug"
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