|
Post by oldschool on Jul 11, 2017 18:01:28 GMT -5
BTW , I stopped by the A@T ticket office today to pick up my season tickets , I was told the UNCC game tickets will be available Aug 1st .
|
|
|
Post by aggierattler on Jul 11, 2017 20:27:28 GMT -5
What they usually do is calculate a figure into the contract that will defray the band's travel costs. For instance (and I hate to keep using them as an example, but I've seen these contracts), when FAMU plays at Miami, the contract is $600,000 for the game. But an additional $150,000 is added to it to help the band travel. Thus, the announced contract is for $750,000 for that game. Since the band's travel came out of FAMU Athletics' pockets at that time, we were able to dictate how and where that $150,000 was spent. That's how A&T used to be. I think it was a bad move once they took the band out of athletics That eventually changed, too, at FAMU after the Robert Champion hazing death.
You're right...good offseason conversation.
|
|
|
Post by The Professor on Jul 12, 2017 14:23:45 GMT -5
Well that sounds like hope. I hope they add it back like it was. The College of Arts and Sciences shouldn't be required to be responsible for the funding
|
|
|
Post by marchingband1969 on Jul 12, 2017 18:10:26 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive.
Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment.
Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem.
|
|
|
Post by AggiePride on Jul 13, 2017 7:30:58 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. Dang no Morgan or FAMU's homecoming. I assumed Morgan was a go, I knew FAMU was a stretch, but I was hoping they would attend.
|
|
|
Post by marchingband1969 on Jul 13, 2017 8:51:32 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. Dang no Morgan or FAMU's homecoming. I assumed Morgan was a go, I knew FAMU was a stretch, but I was hoping they would attend. Yeah, I'm sick over the Morgan game. When they showed up on the football schedule this year I immediately started making my road-trip plans. I called all my relatives and alumni friends in the Baltimore to alert them and even started looking for a hotel there. But several weeks ago I learned that the band would skip that trip. As I said, travel expenses for the band is high and the budget is tight.
|
|
|
Post by AggiePride on Jul 13, 2017 9:44:49 GMT -5
Dang no Morgan or FAMU's homecoming. I assumed Morgan was a go, I knew FAMU was a stretch, but I was hoping they would attend. Yeah, I'm sick over the Morgan game. When they showed up on the football schedule this year I immediately started making my road-trip plans. I called all my relatives and alumni friends in the Baltimore to alert them and even started looking for a hotel there. But several weeks ago I learned that the band would skip that trip. As I said, travel expenses for the band is high and the budget is tight. I am in a similar situation with the FAMU game. I was banking on it being the big trip for the band.
|
|
|
Post by ohsixrain on Jul 13, 2017 10:34:03 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. It seems to me the band should be placed back into the Department of Music, which would fall under School of Arts, I think. This way funding could be more easily justifiable if it is considered a discipline. To have the marching band hanging out there with no Department is a disaster waiting to happen, in my opinion. If it is considered an Auxiliary such as Athletics, there will always be tension because, coaches will feel like the band is dipping into their collective budgets.
|
|
|
Post by The Professor on Jul 13, 2017 10:53:20 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. It seems to me the band should be placed back into the Department of Music, which would fall under School of Arts, I think. This way funding could be more easily justifiable if it is considered a discipline. To have the marching band hanging out there with no Department is a disaster waiting to happen, in my opinion. If it is considered an Auxiliary such as Athletics, there will always be tension because, coaches will feel like the band is dipping into their collective budgets. That's where they are now. Which has a limited budget. They are fighting for travel vs education dollars. In athletics its a bit different. But the bottom line is , if Martin wants them there he could make it happen. I remember several times Renick showed up on Mon or Tues at band practice and told Doc Hodge that the band will be at this game and to make the necessary plans and to send the invoices to his secretary
|
|
|
Post by The Professor on Jul 13, 2017 10:55:12 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. Disagree on the recruitment aspect , A&T has a lot of kids from the DC / Baltimore area. I hope the band reaches out to the DC Alum Association and see if they can assist in anyway
|
|
|
Post by marchingband1969 on Jul 13, 2017 11:55:23 GMT -5
Every year the A&T Marching Band is given a certain "operating budget." Out of that budget Dr. Ruff has to pay for buses, student meals while traveling and other travel related expenses. And that budget isn't that big! So every year Dr. Ruff has to decide based on that budget, which trips he can and cannot "afford" to take. That's why a few years ago he decided not to take the band to Elon. The cost of 5 buses just for a trip to Burlington is still expensive. Some years he will contract to add "paid performances" while traveling to games to offset the expenses. For example, several years ago the band played on Saturday at Delaware State's Homecoming, drove from Dover to DC, and had a "paid performance" at a high school battle of the band. Taking 200+ band members and staff on an out of town trip is very expensing. That's one major reason the A&T Band will not be going to Baltimore for the Morgan game or to FAMU's Homecoming...too expensive. Plus having the band perform in Charlotte and the Tidewater area is better for A&T's overall student recruitment. Who's budget the band is on (Athletic Department, School of Arts etc.) doesn't really matter...no department really has the extra money to support the band. Somehow the University has got to figure out alternative ways to fund the band. I don't have the answer but it continues to be a perplexing problem. Disagree on the recruitment aspect , A&T has a lot of kids from the DC / Baltimore area. I hope the band reaches out to the DC Alum Association and see if they can assist in anyway Won't happen...if Dr. Ruff reaches out to anyone, it will be for money for band student scholarships. Out of town band trips are great for the local alumni and maybe the A&T Admission Office but they don't help Dr. Ruff recruit and retain talented band students. His struggle today is competing with other universities that offer scholarships for talented band students. And to be honest, he really needs band students scholarships to "entice" current A&T students to actually join and remain in the band. Think about it...you're a talented band student and you need additional money to help buy books, pay fees or tuition. You'd love to participate in the A&T Marching Band but you have to get a parttime job because the band has limited funds for scholarships. Over 95% of the current band members are not music majors...they are investing all their time and energy for no financial scholarship help and 1 credit hour. I'm not saying that the University should provide scholarship funds for the entire band but I do want our alumns to realize that these band students need and deserve some help.
|
|
|
Post by marchingband1969 on Jul 13, 2017 11:59:22 GMT -5
And while I'm begging for the sake of the BGMM band students, let me share this information with you... Would you give just $5.00 per month to help provide scholarships for A&T Marching Band students? With enough $5.00 donations, we could raise thousands of dollars for scholarships! Here’s how… 1. Go to A&T’s Website www.ncat.edu2. Click on “Give to A&T” 3. Scroll down page and click on “Online Giving” 4. Complete the “Donor Information” page 5. After completing the “Donor Information” you can select which organization or department should get your donation. Please scroll down list and pick either: “Each One Reach One” (for emergency band member scholarships) or “University Marching Band Scholarships” (for band member's tuition) 6. Finally, to make the biggest impact, please set up your donation on a monthly recurring basis. Hey, it’s only $5 dollars a month and it’s done automatically. Please take just $5 dollars (or more) and 5 minutes to support our beloved Blue and Gold Marching Machine! Show your Aggie Pride! For more information, email Clarence Fisher at cfisher@thesalesinstititue.com
|
|
oleschoolaggie
Official BDF member
2009 Poster of the Year, 2009 Most Knowledgeable Poster
Posts: 24,226
|
Post by oleschoolaggie on Jul 13, 2017 13:53:37 GMT -5
does the band still practice in that warehouse? if so, are there any plans to build a new facility for the band? if not, i think that's a more pressing issue than scholarships. hey, just like athletics, a new band facility would help recruiting. besides, our students "deserve" a better facility than a warehouse whether it helps recruiting or not...
|
|
|
Post by ohsixrain on Jul 13, 2017 14:53:53 GMT -5
does the band still practice in that warehouse? if so, are there any plans to build a new facility for the band? if not, i think that's a more pressing issue than scholarships. hey, just like athletics, a new band facility would help recruiting. besides, our students "deserve" a better facility than a warehouse whether it helps recruiting or not... This is where I tend to agree with 69...if there is monies for band scholarships, the band would pretty much recruit itself. Oleschool I can agree with the facilities argument most of the time but, not the band. There is no doubt that our band would be the biggest in the MEAC if there was funding for scholarships. There are so many band students that don't march for the very reason 69 gave. Don't get me wrong, a new facility is always nice but, that is not what ails the band at this point. It's frustrating too...to see other bands come from other states to participate in band competitions in Charlotte and our band is competing with 1 arm tied behind its back. However, they do damn good with one arm though. That's probably why the administration doesn't help fund scholarships...they are satisfied with the current product, which isn't bad at all. But, imagine have scholarships available for our band but, right now we have to make lemonade out of our lemons.
|
|
|
Post by DOOMS on Jul 13, 2017 15:01:26 GMT -5
Wait, how did this turn into a band thread?
|
|