This is how I remember Cherokee sounding......

[PNG NDN Fan]

Likewise. I loved listening to you guys from Fall 88-Fall 90, strong brass during those years. Scream Machine, Malaguena, Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor etc.

I put away the Schilke 14A4 many many years ago (you are probably the only one who will understand that statement)...but still enjoy watching those videos.

 

[bandkid]

Everyone is correct. Cherokee is being played slower than it used to be. I agree that it needs to be played louder and faster, but if you listen to the 1984 version and the current version, you'll notice that the 1984 Cherokee has a much brassier sound. Part of the reason it's not as loud is because today's brass section is somewhat smaller and is being told not to play loudly, but rather to try to fit its sound within the sound of the lower voices in the band, such as the bass clarinets and the tubas. I don't agree with it. I, like the rest of you, think that Cherokee should be played loud and fast and that the other side shouldn't know what hit them. But the directors are adiment about having a band that sounds good, not loud. If you want the loud, fast Cherokee back, you need to talk with the directors or the principal. There's no guarantee that it'll work, but hey, we are marching the "I" off the field again thanks to a few dedicated fans who stood up and said something.

 

[NDN X]

Everyone is correct. Cherokee is being played slower than it used to be. I agree that it needs to be played louder and faster, but if you listen to the 1984 version and the current version, youll notice the the 1984 Cherokee has a much brassier sound. Part of the reason its not as loud is because today's brass section is somewhat smaller and is being told not to play loudly, but rather to try to fit its sound within the sound of the lower voices in the band, such as the bass clarinets and the tubas. I dont agree with it. I, like the rest of you, think that Cherokee should be played loud and fast and that the other side shouldnt know what hit em. But the directors are adiment about having a band that sounds good, not loud. If you want the loud, fast Cherokee back, you need to talk with the directors or the principal. Theres no guarantee that itll work, but hey, we are marching the I off the field again thanks to a few dedicated fans who stood up and said something.

good post!

 

[PNG Proud]

When was the "I" NOT marhed off the field? I must have missed that somewhere.

 

[IBLEEDPURPLE]

When was the "I" NOT marhed off the field? I must have missed that somewhere.

At the first 4-5 games of the season, the band marched the I to the end zone, finished playing and then "scrambled off the field". It looked horrible. I heard that the principal & superintendent were bombarded with complaint calls every Monday morning until...... bam, the band began marching out of the end zone to the cadence as it always had been.

 

[IBLEEDPURPLE]

Everyone is correct. Cherokee is being played slower than it used to be. I agree that it needs to be played louder and faster, but if you listen to the 1984 version and the current version, youll notice the the 1984 Cherokee has a much brassier sound. Part of the reason its not as loud is because today's brass section is somewhat smaller and is being told not to play loudly, but rather to try to fit its sound within the sound of the lower voices in the band, such as the bass clarinets and the tubas. I dont agree with it. I, like the rest of you, think that Cherokee should be played loud and fast and that the other side shouldnt know what hit em. But the directors are adiment about having a band that sounds good, not loud. If you want the loud, fast Cherokee back, you need to talk with the directors or the principal. Theres no guarantee that itll work, but hey, we are marching the I off the field again thanks to a few dedicated fans who stood up and said something.

Bandkid --

First of all, let me just say that although the band may not be as big or play as loud as in years past, we still thoroughly enjoyed the show you guys put together this year. Seeing that purple & white pageantry marching all over that beautiful new Indian field was awesome! Hats off to you and your band mates for all the hard work and practice that goes in to entertaining the faithful each and every Friday night!!

Hopefully, people will express their opinion to the principal & band director concerning the speed of Cherokee. Quite frankly, I am surprised it has not already been rectified. Hopefully, 2009 will bring back some of the old traditions and also bring some new ones with the new stadium!

 

[NDNmom91]

Likewise. I loved listening to you guys from Fall 88-Fall 90, strong brass during those years. Scream Machine, Malaguena, Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor etc.

I put away the Schilke 14A4 many many years ago (you are probably the only one who will understand that statement)...but still enjoy watching those videos.

Oh yes, I remember those songs. I think Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor is my favorite. It had a jazzy feel that just made you wanna tap your foot when you listened to it . I think Scream Machine ran a close second. All of those songs were really hard, but we had the talent to pull it off. I still think the NDN Band is the classiest and best looking band around here, hands down. I heard they got a 2 in competition this year which really surprised me because I thought they sounded really well ???. Oh well, maybe the band directors will evaluate things before next year and get things back in line and start kicking *ss and taking names at contest again, and hopefully make some changes to Cherokee as well.

 

[PNG NDN Fan]

Everyone is correct. Cherokee is being played slower than it used to be. I agree that it needs to be played louder and faster, but if you listen to the 1984 version and the current version, youll notice the the 1984 Cherokee has a much brassier sound. Part of the reason its not as loud is because today's brass section is somewhat smaller and is being told not to play loudly, but rather to try to fit its sound within the sound of the lower voices in the band, such as the bass clarinets and the tubas. I dont agree with it. I, like the rest of you, think that Cherokee should be played loud and fast and that the other side shouldnt know what hit em. But the directors are adiment about having a band that sounds good, not loud. If you want the loud, fast Cherokee back, you need to talk with the directors or the principal. Theres no guarantee that itll work, but hey, we are marching the I off the field again thanks to a few dedicated fans who stood up and said something.

Bandkid --

First of all, let me just say that although the band may not be as big or play as loud as in years past, we still thoroughly enjoyed the show you guys put together this year. Seeing that purple & white pageantry marching all over that beautiful new Indian field was awesome! Hats off to you and your band mates for all the hard work and practice that goes in to entertaining the faithful each and every Friday night!!

Hopefully, people will express their opinion to the principal & band director concerning the speed of Cherokee. Quite frankly, I am surprised it has not already been rectified. Hopefully, 2009 will bring back some of the old traditions and also bring some new ones with the new stadium!

I agree. I enjoyed the show this year as well. Sometimes it was hard to hear (like the woodwind feature in Birdland) but I enjoyed the music. The size of the band limits how much volume you can generate, with the exception of college aged kids in the DCI Corps that can wail like crazy with 50 players, albeit with brass and drums only.

With respect to changing things, I think that is result of relatively more director/staff changes in the last 6 years than in the previous 20 or so.

 

[bandkid]

Thanks. We really put the extra effort into it this year. Much more than last year.

It wasnt just the first few games that we didnt march the I off the field. We didnt do it at all last year.

Again, I really think Cherokee could be played louder and faster. It will likely be played louder next year because the Brass section is supposedly going to be much bigger next year. Dont know how true that is. Only time will tell.

I still encourage anyone who wants the 1984 Cherokee back to speak up. It worked with the Marching I. Besides, the first rule in Mr. Wells' (our current band director) book is that the band is there to entertain the crowd, first and foremost.

 

[squaw]

Thanks. We really put the extra effort into it this year. Much more than last year.

It wasnt just the first few games that we didnt march the I off the field. We didnt do it at all last year.

Again, I really think Cherokee could be played louder and faster. It will likely be played louder next year because the Brass section is supposedly going to be much bigger next year. Dont know how true that is. Only time will tell.

I still encourage anyone who wants the 1984 Cherokee back to speak up. It worked with the Marching I. Besides, the first rule in Mr. Wells' (our current band director) book is that the band is there to entertain the crowd, first and foremost.

And we are not entertained by Cherokee---put to sleep instead. Please tell Mr. Wells we hate it.

 

[Justafan]

Why doesn't the band play when the opposing team is on Offense??

Just about every team we play band plays when we are of Offense.

:band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band: :band:

PLAY IT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PNGIndianFan06]

I have always asked this too; like Central just blares when we have the ball. I don't think we need to sound like Central because that is LOUD gone wrong. That is the type of loud Mr. Wells is trying to avoid, but I think with Cherokee it should be loud enough to make your lips hurt and yes, I am a former band geek. I know when it is appropriate to observe dynamics and when it is time to fire up the crowd. 1984 Cherokee must return :clap:

 

[NDNmom91]

I have always asked this too; like Central just blares when we have the ball. I don't think we need to sound like Central because that is LOUD gone wrong. That is the type of loud Mr. Wells is trying to avoid, but I think with Cherokee it should be loud enough to make your lips hurt and yes, I am a former band geek. I know when it is appropriate to observe dynamics and when it is time to fire up the crowd. 1984 Cherokee must return :clap:

AMEN!! I am a former band geek as well, probably a much older one than you, but once a band geek always a band geek right?? LOL Ok, I really don't consider our band members "geeks", just trying to lighten the mood. Anywho, I played back in the late 80's early 90's and we were EXPECTED to "play Cherokee loud enough to make your lips hurt", but still sound good of course. Trust me, there were times when we were tired and didn't play Cherokee with that much enthusiasm and boy did we hear about it afterward :angry:! I remember one time we had to play it like 20 times in a row until we got it right... :faint:, now that will make your lips hurt, but it worked...LOL! We were told it was a privilege and an honor to play Cherokee and we were expected to maintain and uphold the tradition of excellence that we were known for.

Now, I know things started changing when Mr. Almany and Mr. Wadenphul retired and I don't know much about the ones who took their place, but maybe they weren't born and bread NDN's and just thought it was ok to "change" Cherokee, but you just don't do that :nono:! Maybe the band kids should play the video from '84 to the directors and make THEM play it until they get it right, I bet u we would get the real Cherokee back then ;D!

 

[PNG NDN Fan]

Why doesn't the band play when the opposing team is on Offense??
Just about every team we play band plays when we are of Offense.
PLAY IT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or not, it is against the rules for a band to play loud to prevent the opposing offense from hearing signals. Texas HS football follows NCAA football rules and this is covered Rule 9, Section 2, Article 1, Part 2, Subpart b...

Persons subject to the rules, including bands, shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals (Rule 1-1-6).

If you watch a college game on TV, you will notice that bands will stop playing when the teams approach the line of scrimmage.

The bands at high school games are usually not loud enough where it is a problem, but a coach can ask a referee to intercede and stop band from playing if it is interfering with his teams offense. I believe MB did this to the Central band a few seasons ago.

Having said that, fans (who are not subject to the rules) are free to yell as loud as they want.

 

[bandkid]

Thanks. We really put the extra effort into it this year. Much more than last year.

It wasnt just the first few games that we didnt march the I off the field. We didnt do it at all last year.

Again, I really think Cherokee could be played louder and faster. It will likely be played louder next year because the Brass section is supposedly going to be much bigger next year. Dont know how true that is. Only time will tell.

I still encourage anyone who wants the 1984 Cherokee back to speak up. It worked with the Marching I. Besides, the first rule in Mr. Wells' (our current band director) book is that the band is there to entertain the crowd, first and foremost.

And we are not entertained by Cherokee---put to sleep instead. Please tell Mr. Wells we hate it.

I really think it would carry more weight if it came from a fan or several fans.

 

[NDNmom91]

Thanks. We really put the extra effort into it this year. Much more than last year.

It wasnt just the first few games that we didnt march the I off the field. We didnt do it at all last year.

Again, I really think Cherokee could be played louder and faster. It will likely be played louder next year because the Brass section is supposedly going to be much bigger next year. Dont know how true that is. Only time will tell.

I still encourage anyone who wants the 1984 Cherokee back to speak up. It worked with the Marching I. Besides, the first rule in Mr. Wells' (our current band director) book is that the band is there to entertain the crowd, first and foremost.

And we are not entertained by Cherokee---put to sleep instead. Please tell Mr. Wells we hate it.

I really think it would carry more weight if it came from a fan or several fans.

Ok, so lets have a "closed door session" with the band directors...LOL! Meaning, close the doors and blare the 1984 version of Cherokee until they get the point!! Then, play "their" version and see what happens...I'd be willing to bet they'd be.. :zzz:...too... ;D!!

 

[squaw]

Good idea! :thumbsup: I would like to know, also, if our band has the same number of drums they used to and if they know how to play the Cherokee "beat". Those drums beating gave me goosebumps every year until lately.

 

[PNG Proud]

When was the "I" NOT marhed off the field? I must have missed that somewhere.

At the first 4-5 games of the season, the band marched the I to the end zone, finished playing and then "scrambled off the field". It looked horrible. I heard that the principal & superintendent were bombarded with complaint calls every Monday morning until...... bam, the band began marching out of the end zone to the cadence as it always had been.

Oh, I didn't know that was what ya'll were refering too. Heck, back in the Mr. Long days, we would start marching off in the "I", then after the music ended, and we turn around, we all took off in different directions. The first time we did that, the fans went nuts. Man, those were fun times. Not one complaint, that I'm aware of. Of course we used to play "Jolie Blon" too, so what can you say about our group huh?

 

[bandkid]

Good idea! :thumbsup: I would like to know, also, if our band has the same number of drums they used to and if they know how to play the Cherokee "beat". Those drums beating gave me goosebumps every year until lately.

Were down a quint, a base drum, and a few snares from last year.

 

[NDNmom91]

When was the "I" NOT marhed off the field? I must have missed that somewhere.

At the first 4-5 games of the season, the band marched the I to the end zone, finished playing and then "scrambled off the field". It looked horrible. I heard that the principal & superintendent were bombarded with complaint calls every Monday morning until...... bam, the band began marching out of the end zone to the cadence as it always had been.

LOL...we always marched the I off the field after Cherokee, but I remember one time Mr. Almany let us scramble off the field and he made a reference to Mr. Long's group doing that, and yes, the crowd went nuts. We were deep in the playoffs that year and our contest season was over so he let us do that to lighten things up a bit...it was fun ;D




Oh, I didn't know that was what ya'll were refering too. Heck, back in the Mr. Long days, we would start marching off in the "I", then after the music ended, and we turn around, we all took off in different directions. The first time we did that, the fans went nuts. Man, those were fun times. Not one complaint, that I'm aware of. Of course we used to play "Jolie Blon" too, so what can you say about our group huh?