Blazin’ Brigade VSU MARCHING BAND VSU MARCHING BAND SARAH BLOSS MICHAEL KITCHENS ALLISON TAYLOR RACHEL UNDERWOOD

The beginning…. Traveling musicians who played at festivals Traveling musicians who played at festivals Military bands that would play as they entered into battle Military bands that would play as they entered into battle Used for ceremonial purposes Used for ceremonial purposes Military terms for practices; “attention” “about face” Military terms for practices; “attention” “about face”

Short history lesson… South Georgia State Normal College South Georgia State Normal College Georgia State Woman’s College Georgia State Woman’s College Valdosta State College Valdosta State College Present Valdosta State University Present Valdosta State University ValdostaStateUniversityValdostaStateUniversity

The Blazin’ brigade 1983 the Brigade was established 1983 the Brigade was established Comprised of a variety of students Comprised of a variety of students Auditions are only needed for dance line, color guard and majorettes Auditions are only needed for dance line, color guard and majorettes $40.00 band fee $40.00 band fee After successful completion of a semester a stipend is given After successful completion of a semester a stipend is given $75, 1 st yr $75, 1 st yr $150, 2 nd yr $150, 2 nd yr $225, 3 rd yr $225, 3 rd yr $300, 4 th yr + $300, 4 th yr + **section leaders receive $50 more per semester **section leaders receive $50 more per semester

Who joins the brigade? All are welcome with previous experience Master of Music - 1 (graduate assistant) ** Master of Music - 1 (graduate assistant) ** Music Education – 47 ** Music Education – 47 ** BA Music – 6 ** BA Music – 6 ** BFA Art – 2 * BFA Art – 2 * BFA Theatre – 1 * BFA Theatre – 1 * BFA Mass Media – 1 * BFA Mass Media – 1 * BA Art – 2 BA Art – 2 Undecided – 21 Undecided – 21 Sociology and Anthropology – 3 Sociology and Anthropology – 3 Chemistry – 3 Chemistry – 3 Sign Language – 2 Sign Language – 2 Biology – 12 Biology – 12 French – 1 French – 1 Middle Grades Ed – 4 Middle Grades Ed – 4 Psychology – 7 Psychology – 7 Criminal Justice – 7 Criminal Justice – 7 Early Childhood Ed – 7 Early Childhood Ed – 7 Business Undeclared – 2 Business Undeclared – 2 Business Ed – 1 Business Ed – 1 BA Math – 2 BA Math – 2 BA English – 3 BA English – 3 Pre-Engineering – 2 Pre-Engineering – 2 BS Computer Science – 1 BS Computer Science – 1 Nursing – 5 Nursing – 5 BS Education – 1 BS Education – 1 Health and Phys. Ed – 2 Health and Phys. Ed – 2 BA History – 1 BA History – 1 Special Ed – 1 Special Ed – 1 Finance – 1 Finance – 1 Comm. Disorders - 1 Comm. Disorders - 1 Master of Education – 1 Master of Education – 1 **Music Majors *Music/Arts related **Music Majors *Music/Arts related Total Music/Arts majors: 60Total All Other Majors: 91

method Why did we choose the Marching band? band?

method Documents Documents Constitution Constitution Web site information Web site information Observations Observations Practices Practices Parades Parades Football games Football games Interviews –personal contacts Interviews –personal contacts One student member One student member One faculty leader One faculty leader

findings Variety of students Variety of students Organization of group Organization of group Genuine friendship Genuine friendship “Togetherness” “Togetherness” Partnerships with campus Partnerships with campus DEDICATION and COMMITMENT DEDICATION and COMMITMENT

FINDINGS Potential group problems: Potential group problems: Talking Talking Cliques Cliques Stereotypes Stereotypes Picking music Picking music Problem solving: Problem solving: Hierarchy Hierarchy Group votes Group votes

interpretation How does the culture of the band influences the members? Positive Atmosphere FamilyFriendshipExperience Sense of School Pride

interpretation How does the campus influence the Blazin’ Brigade? Athletics Various Degree Programs Crowd Involvement Financial Contribution

What does it mean to be in the Marching Band? Unity Unity Respect Respect Friendship Friendship Dedication Dedication Commitment (optional) Commitment (optional) Student Leadership Student Leadership Involved on Campus Involved on Campus Structure Structure

“ “I have made so many more friends and have HAD so many fun experiences just joining, being part of a larger group. It is like a family kind of.” -Band Member “COMMITMENT. BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, MOST OF THE STUDENTS DON’T HAVE TO BE THERE. THEY ARE CHOOSING TO BE THERE. IT’S HOT. IT IS HARD SOMETIMES, WHEN IT IS 98 DEGREES, TO BE OUT THERE.” -DIRECTOR What does it mean to be a member of the Blazin’ Brigade?

The blazin’ brigade Blazin' Brigade