LETTERS: Band will keep director Rohrer
Editor,
I just read Kathryn Fifield’s letter regarding how Thomas Rohrer should not be removed as director of bands at Utah State University, and I would like to add some of my own comments.
Rohrer is tirelessly building upon what little tradition there has been as of the last few years in the Aggie Marching Band program.
This in an era where there are increasing constraints on time to, not only put together quality shows, but to actually perform them and share time with cheer sqauds and advertisers as Kathryn mentioned.
As for memorizing music: Imagine being brand new to a corps-style marching band – maybe having graduated from a small school in Idaho, Wyoming or Southern Utah. You may barely know how to play your instrument, let alone march in formation with a number of other students. If I were the director, I would do everything to have those students participate, and with the basic musical skills they need to project musically on a football field, and if that means using a flip folder, then so be it.
By the way, there are plenty of big-name schools that still read their music on the field. That does not mean they are any poorer in quality for doing so.
Being a band director like Rohrer, I understand the time constraints an ensemble has prior to its first performance. I would ask Mr. Griffin where he derives the right to judge what goes on in the Aggie Marching Band? As I seem to recall, he himself was not all that spirited as a musician in the late 1980s – a time when USU as a whole (not to mention the band program) was deep in the grasp of unparalleled mediocrity.
There are times my wife and I wish we could go back to school just to be in the Aggie Band. I was proud to be a member of it. I salute the members of the band for all of their hard work, and encourage them to continue to “Strive for the Highest.”
Matt Gilman
Class of 1995
Editor,
I am responding to the letter written by Roger Griffin in the previous issue. Judging from the content of the article, it is apparent he has little knowledge of what the Aggie Marching Band is about.
The comment “marching band members are dissatisfied with the current director and wish for a change” is unfounded and far from reality. I am writing to express the real feeling of marching band members.
Thomas Rohrer’s teaching style is dynamic and original. My first few minutes in marching band (for which we showed up a week early before school) he already knew my name and never forgot it. He knows each marching band member that well.
The members of marching band arrive at school a week early for intense training which lasts the whole day. During most weeks, members march for an hour and one-half, four days of the week. They only get two credits for this. Most of them aren’t even music majors.
When people ask me why I dedicate so much time, I tell them I do it because it is fun. It is personally rewarding and gives me satisfaction. That is the reason most of us join the programs we do. I feel this marching band is a compliment to the university. I also respect the football team for their commitment.
Rohrer has similar motives. I’m sure he could have made more money choosing a different career. He diligently works for the benefit of the university, but more importantly, the members of his bands. Because of this, he demands excellence.
The general feeling I get from the band is that they like Rohrer a lot.
He is a highly valuable asset to this university.
I would not march for any other director.
Mike Campbell