Wisconsin Marching Band Suspended
Reader Comments
Wisconsin Band
Yea there IS an audition to get into the UW Marching Band and it is actually very intense. Not just anyone gets in.
UW Marching Band
I was in the UW Marching Band my freshman year in 1995. I can assure you that this behavior has been going on at least since then and I'm pretty positive Director Mike Leckrone was aware of it. I'm glad that it has finally come to light because I think a lot of people have kept their mouths closed out of fear.
Wisconsin Band
It's beyond me that a band who keeps people in the stands for a Fifth Quarter and is itself rewarded by those fan should be willing to risk not playing at all.
Um yeah...
First off, there IS an audition to get into the band.
Second, what can you judge from a person who walks into an audition and performs other than if they are the type of musician you would like to be a part of your organization? None of the kids I know in band really just "look" the part of hazer and/or troublemaker. What exactly does an audition do when it comes to weeding out the few bad apples? Not really sure of your rational. A kid could be the best trumpet player in the world and still be the biggest douche.
Granted, yeah punishment is due and I'm glad Mike himself placed punishment rather than Chancellor Wiley doing it like in '06. The band is feeling the consequences of their actions and will be for a long long time. Mike will NOT be letting them off easy, that's simply not him.
Band.
I can vividly remember the Wisconsin Band chanting High School Band in reference to the Razorback Marching Band at the 2007 Capital One Bowl. Sounds like it might be the other way around granted there is proof in the form of negative national media attention as well as an investigation and active suspension ongoing.
I agree with others here in that membership in a group such as the Badger Band should be by audition only. Hazing in general is completely illegal and it is a shame that so many groups in many colleges across the country get away with it.
Finally, half of the problem here is probably a result of Alcohol being allowed....we all know that this leads to crude behavior; however, it is probably more of a character issue.
If you haven't figured it out yet, yes, I am a current member of the Razorback Marching Band and no I don't hold it against the Badger Band in that they were crude to us in early 2007; however, as a guide, you will not find alcohol on any trip that any Razorback Band affiliated group takes...also, we do not haze. We have a huge goal in the way of character and classiness in all that we do and in return we recieve ovations from everywhere we visit. I reference the recent Texas trip that myself with the band took. Anyone will know that this is a significant rivalry game and generally, people would think that we as the band would have been treated awful at Texas. This was not the case and in fact; at the end of the game, we the band recieved a standing ovation from the crowd at Texas as well as the student section.
All in all, the Badger Band needs to set their priorities and get it together. A band program should not be the toilet news of an university....that is usually reserved for a football program gone bad.
Come on Wisconsin Badger Band...I know your better than this morally, ethically, and characteristically...so make it right.
Why Must Everyone Suffer...?
Why must everyone suffer when it was likely a handful of people? I would hope that the guilty would have enough honor to take responsibility for their wrong actions and resign so that the others in the band can go forward.
To Director Leckrone - Challenge your band and the guilty ones in particular to do the right thing. Maybe they will do the honorable thing for their bandmates.
To Whoever Complained - You did the right thing. You should not have to fear harassment by anyone.
To The Guilty - Do the honorable thing: own up to your mistakes like an adult, apologize to the people you harassed, the Director, and your school. Then resign so the rest of the band can get back to work. Probation in 2006 should have been a clear sign that such actions would not be tolerated.
I watched the Saturday night game. The band was missed. It was sad for Wisconsin.
A Northwestern University Marching Band Alum
re: band
I guess Ohio State is perfect then. [/sarcasm]
I'm not sure when you went to college, but I don't know of any collegiate ensemble that does not require an audition. get with the program. Also, this does not just happen at UW, they're just the ones who got caught. - speaking from experience.
band
Mentoring sessions and meetings are not going to solve the problems of the Wisconsin Band. That is the typical liberal response. The best way is to kick out the trouble makers and also make the band audition only. Thats what Ohio State does.
Band
Good job, parents. Society owes a debt of gratitude to you.
U of Wisconsin Band
Band Geeks...What are ya gonna do.
