LETTER: USU Band director needs to go

Editor,

It is past time for the dismissal or resignation of USU?s marching band director. After watching the marching band for the past few years during home football games, it is apparent the director either does not have the professional skills capable of directing/producing a quality product or he simply does not care. In either case, it is past time for the appointment of a new director. What is so troubling about the marching band is not its size or even the selection of its music (although USU could take lessons from the Ute marching band) but the simple actions that denote a quality, or in USU?s case, a sub-par marching band. For instance, the current director allows members to perform even if they have not memorized their music (a simple task even if one is not playing his/her primary instrument.) Even more appalling is the marching band?s choreography. Simply put, running onto or around the field, in an effort to get to the next formation, is an unsophisticated marching and maneuvering technique that has not been practiced since the 1970s. It is only used today when a director is unwilling to spend the time to properly choreograph a field show. Finally, what I find the most troubling is the rumor mill ? marching band members are dissatisfied with the current director and wish for a change. When I consider the past successes of the local high school marching bands and the levels of performance by the Ute and Cougar marching bands, I am embarrassed the university allows the Aggie marching band to even perform. Until a quality product is produced, USU should look to alternative methods for halftime entertainment.

Roger W. GriffinClass of 1989