YOUR VIEWS Letters to the Editor

YOUR VIEWS Letters to the Editor

ATLANTA
November 20, 1998

This message is coming from a former member of the Georgia Tech Band in order to correct some of Mr. Culbreth's errors of knowledge. [Editor's Note: Chris Culbreth's letter, "Hey, Georgia Tech Band: Leave the SAC fields to the real athletes," appeared in the November 13, issue of the Technique]. First of all, Georgia Tech Band did in fact use the SAC field last year upon its completion. Secondly, the Burger Bowl is insufficient for a regulation football field which is what we require for practice.

And if you honestly think that the Couch building has room enough for a 200+ band to march, let me set you straight. We can't even fit our entire band in the Couch rehearsal hall. While we have indoor rehearsals, the percussion is required to practice elsewhere.

Also, you may be paying for this school and for the amenities that come with it, but so does almost every member of the band. I say almost because some of our members come from Georgia State, Kennesaw State, and a few other schools. In regards to where we used to practice, it was the track field by the tennis center. The field was inadequate, although regulation size. It was also in a very inconvenient location.

Now for a few logistics: The band uses the field for exactly five and a half hours each week. They have cut their Monday rehearsal by half an hour to accommodate intermurals. In general, the band only occupies the field from 4:30 to 6:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the exception of percussion, who meet a bit earlier. Also, perhaps you need to show a little respect for the band. The GT Band is probably the only organization on campus that is truly keeping the traditions of Georgia Tech alive, in the form of cheers, songs, and the ever famous RAT Cap.

So, in conclusion, I feel I must tell you to suck it up. The band will only be around for a few more weeks. When football season is over, so is the band.

Oh, and one final thought. If you've ever said that Marching Band is nonathletic, try it sometime. Try keeping your head up with a 35- pound saxophone around your neck. Try keeping your arms out with a 20-or-so-pound baritone in your hands. Try keeping your back straight with an I-don't-know-how-heavy tuba over your shoulder. Give it a try, and then come back and tell me how nonathletic it is. Ricky Anderson mfrog@r32h228.res

Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board

submit a letter to the Editor
e-mail the Editorials Editor with a comment about this story
e-mail the Online Editor if there's a technical problem with this page