Visiting Bands

[Warbird87]

Last night at halftime of the Arlington vs. Abilene bi-district game held at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene the Arlington Colt Band played their entire halftime show with their backs to the home crowd. I have never seen this before and thought it was kinda direspectful to the Abilene crowd. I remember a thread on this sometime back but thought I would run this up the flagpole again and see what others think. Also wonder if any other bands out there play to the visitors side when at away games.

[SWMHebron]

Last night at halftime of the Arlington vs. Abilene bi-district game held at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene the Arlington Colt Band played their entire halftime show with their backs to the home crowd. I have never seen this before and thought it was kinda direspectful to the Abilene crowd. I remember a thread on this sometime back but thought I would run this up the flagpole again and see what others think. Also wonder if any other bands out there play to the visitors side when at away games.

During the playoffs the bands generally play to their side of the stands, whether they are the "home" team or not. Plano does it all the time.

[Warbird87]

During the playoffs the bands generally play to their side of the stands, whether they are the "home" team or not. Plano does it all the time.

Been to alot of PO games over th years....dont remember ever seeing that. May be that I never really payed much attention to the bands prior to my son being in the band.

[LoboFan07]

During the playoffs the bands generally play to their side of the stands, whether they are the "home" team or not. Plano does it all the time.

There's only been a couple of instances where I have not seen the bands play to their crowd during playoff games. I find it weird if they don't, personally.

[Warbird87]

Maybe I need to pay closer attention?

[pied]

Back in the old days all schools played to their fans.

Think it's weird not to.

[Warbird87]

Back in the old days all schools played to their fans.

Think it's weird not to.

I can see that point if you are at a neutral site. But if your team is the visitor at another teams home stadium I think the band should play to the home crowd. While there are many who don't care about the halftime shows there are still alot of folks who enjoy watching the other school's band perform. JMO

[DrEdward]

Last night at halftime of the Arlington vs. Abilene bi-district game held at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene the Arlington Colt Band played their entire halftime show with their backs to the home crowd. I have never seen this before and thought it was kinda direspectful to the Abilene crowd. I remember a thread on this sometime back but thought I would run this up the flagpole again and see what others think. Also wonder if any other bands out there play to the visitors side when at away games.

So long as I can recall, during the regular season, the bands, both home and visitor play to the home stands.

Come playoff time, bands overwhelmingly play toward their own fans in the stands. Likewise for the drill teams.

I doubt any disrespect was intended.

[pied]

I can see that point if you are at a neutral site. But if your team is the visitor at another teams home stadium I think the band should play to the home crowd. While there are many who don't care about the halftime shows there are still alot of folks who enjoy watching the other school's band perform. JMO

What about the visiting crowd? That's what never made sense to me with the bands playing to the home crowds. Not a huge deal, and I an certain no disrespect was intended.

[WestlakeTech]

There's only been a couple of instances where I have not seen the bands play to their crowd during playoff games. I find it weird if they don't, personally.

Yeah, it makes sense when you think about it.

During the playoffs, a band never knows which halftime show will be their last. So they might as well show some appreciation for their fans who have been supporting them the whole season.

Westlake's band played to us on Friday night.

[Warbird87]

So long as I can recall, during the regular season, the bands, both home and visitor play to the home stands.

Come playoff time, bands overwhelmingly play toward their own fans in the stands. Likewise for the drill teams.

I doubt any disrespect was intended.

I agree....I dont think any disrespect was intended but there was definitely a buzz in the stands around us about it.

[rexreed]

Here's the truth- HS bands should play to the home crowd, they should also try and be entertaining. Neither happens much, even a "sweepstakes " band typically is playing some abstract theme that does well for UIL but is a disaster if you are trying to entertain a crowd.

When the visiting school plays to their side they are doing it because of the parents in the stands. Most stadiums do not allow the parents to cross over ( legitimate security reason) so the band just plays to their side. The thing is- most bands really only learn one show per year and the fans are pretty tired of the show. Now, before I get crucified for saying this, know that I am a huge fan of the band and used to be in one. That is how I know why this stuff happens. The band is the backbone of tradition in HS and college but these days the hs bands aren't as "gung ho" about being the supporting act.

In a perfect world bands would learn how to play something for both sides, it happens at most colleges, but as I already mentioned HS bands in Texas are learning shows that will do well at a UIL contest and that is what keeps them from performing to both sides. Thankfully some bands decide to change the routine in the playoffs, some but not all.

[pied]

Pretty reasoned and accurate comments rexreed. One thing that I think a lot of people do not understand is that one primary way a Band Director's is judged is by their UIl results as well as their other contest results. A lot of pressure. The feedback from the football fans does not weigh nearly as much if anything at all.

Much like a football coach who may play some entertaining football, but does not win.