[Nan3cy]

Great stuff, Burger! Thanks for finding it.  :D

[Nan3cy]

Great stuff, Burger! Thanks for finding it.  :D

[76lsjumb]

At the end of the 1971 season -- my freshman year -- the Band announced that it was capping itself at its current size and for the first time in the modern (post-1963) history of the LSJUMB, it would henceforth conduct tryouts. Not only was the Band at peak popularity (we had just won two consecutive Rose Bowls), but the University was requiring it to accept women for the first time. This was all big news at the time, covered extensively by the Daily.

The number 186 sticks in my mind as the cap, and if it's not precisely correct, it's certainly in the ballpark. There were definitely some students who didn't make the cut in 1972; I remember some of the Band guys in Roble talking at dinner about the dejection of the rejected. Whether meaningful tryouts (as opposed to the sort of placement tryouts Viking Guy describes) were necessary after that, I don't recall.

garvin is, indeed, correct that Fall of 1972 was the first time there were ever auditions.  I know, because I was one of those incoming freshman band members who had to audition.  It only applied to the woodwinds [and, possibly, percussion, although I'm not sure about that], not the brass.  I know auditions continued for at least the time I was there.

As for Red Vest [i.e., basketball] Band, VG is correct that there have always been tryouts, and the musicianship in that Band is pretty impressive.  I was an alternate freshman year, but full-fledged thereafter.  The stakes back then weren't quite the same -- being in Red Vest meant a trip to the L.A. games and the Oregon games, as well as a few other special gigs in S.F.  Now, of course, it means going to women's post-season venues every year and, apparently, getting to appear on Jimmy Kimmel...

[76lsjumb]

At the end of the 1971 season -- my freshman year -- the Band announced that it was capping itself at its current size and for the first time in the modern (post-1963) history of the LSJUMB, it would henceforth conduct tryouts. Not only was the Band at peak popularity (we had just won two consecutive Rose Bowls), but the University was requiring it to accept women for the first time. This was all big news at the time, covered extensively by the Daily.

The number 186 sticks in my mind as the cap, and if it's not precisely correct, it's certainly in the ballpark. There were definitely some students who didn't make the cut in 1972; I remember some of the Band guys in Roble talking at dinner about the dejection of the rejected. Whether meaningful tryouts (as opposed to the sort of placement tryouts Viking Guy describes) were necessary after that, I don't recall.

garvin is, indeed, correct that Fall of 1972 was the first time there were ever auditions.  I know, because I was one of those incoming freshman band members who had to audition.  It only applied to the woodwinds [and, possibly, percussion, although I'm not sure about that], not the brass.  I know auditions continued for at least the time I was there.

As for Red Vest [i.e., basketball] Band, VG is correct that there have always been tryouts, and the musicianship in that Band is pretty impressive.  I was an alternate freshman year, but full-fledged thereafter.  The stakes back then weren't quite the same -- being in Red Vest meant a trip to the L.A. games and the Oregon games, as well as a few other special gigs in S.F.  Now, of course, it means going to women's post-season venues every year and, apparently, getting to appear on Jimmy Kimmel...

[teejers1]

144 was the number for LSJUMB in early '80s, and there were tryouts for all sections (including brass).

At nadir, LSJUMB dropped below 100 musicians and you just cannot project any sound with so few players.  The reason why I enjoy alumni games (even though I don't participate with LSJUMB) is because the numbers get close to 200 and the sound is so much better.

And finally, I agree 100% with sentiment that the band takes a lot of heat from supposed fans, even when it is the one and only student group that is out there supporting Stanford athletes across the board.  And right now (with finals over), I imagine the LSJUMB is loving the opportunity to play in both men's and women's NCAA games.

P.S.  Just saw burger's link: thanks for that!

[teejers1]

144 was the number for LSJUMB in early '80s, and there were tryouts for all sections (including brass).

At nadir, LSJUMB dropped below 100 musicians and you just cannot project any sound with so few players.  The reason why I enjoy alumni games (even though I don't participate with LSJUMB) is because the numbers get close to 200 and the sound is so much better.

And finally, I agree 100% with sentiment that the band takes a lot of heat from supposed fans, even when it is the one and only student group that is out there supporting Stanford athletes across the board.  And right now (with finals over), I imagine the LSJUMB is loving the opportunity to play in both men's and women's NCAA games.

P.S.  Just saw burger's link: thanks for that!

[yvonne]

This fits with my perception of the LSJUMB. I was really impressed with the sound from last year's 50th anniversary band. It was easily as good as the big college bands that receive all the attention.

[yvonne]

This fits with my perception of the LSJUMB. I was really impressed with the sound from last year's 50th anniversary band. It was easily as good as the big college bands that receive all the attention.

[CornFed]

I think Garvin is correct that, as the alumni population has shifted to include those of us who embraced LSJUMB in the early 70's, the amount of complaining (if not the volume) went down considerably.  I feel, however, that the band had an insouciant, politically impish quality in my early years (the early 70's) and that later it seemed that they resorted to gross "fart and burp" humor.  Shocking folks became more important than being clever.  I realize, though, that memory is selective.  I am probably evincing that trait in older folks that asserts that everything was better "back in my day".

[CornFed]

I think Garvin is correct that, as the alumni population has shifted to include those of us who embraced LSJUMB in the early 70's, the amount of complaining (if not the volume) went down considerably.  I feel, however, that the band had an insouciant, politically impish quality in my early years (the early 70's) and that later it seemed that they resorted to gross "fart and burp" humor.  Shocking folks became more important than being clever.  I realize, though, that memory is selective.  I am probably evincing that trait in older folks that asserts that everything was better "back in my day".

[CTcard]

144 was the number for LSJUMB in early '80s, and there were tryouts for all sections (including brass).

At nadir, LSJUMB dropped below 100 musicians and you just cannot project any sound with so few players.  The reason why I enjoy alumni games (even though I don't participate with LSJUMB) is because the numbers get close to 200 and the sound is so much better.

I was always told that 144 was the "traditional" number - breaking down as 12 ranks of 12. However, I am suspicious that anything was traditional.

During the mid/late 80s we put 200 on the field for at least some games. I know because I had to find some sort of uniform for everyone, and it was more than a bit of a stretch. That seemed to me as if it was at least a local maximum for sound quality for the band for some considerable stretch of time.

I don't get to see games live that often living on the east coast, but I have seen some years when it looked like something south of 100. That is just too small to be heard outside regardless of how good the individuals are.
In fact roughly for an outdoor, (pseudo) marching band, individual abilities are only roughly correlated to overall sound from the stands.

[CTcard]

144 was the number for LSJUMB in early '80s, and there were tryouts for all sections (including brass).

At nadir, LSJUMB dropped below 100 musicians and you just cannot project any sound with so few players.  The reason why I enjoy alumni games (even though I don't participate with LSJUMB) is because the numbers get close to 200 and the sound is so much better.

I was always told that 144 was the "traditional" number - breaking down as 12 ranks of 12. However, I am suspicious that anything was traditional.

During the mid/late 80s we put 200 on the field for at least some games. I know because I had to find some sort of uniform for everyone, and it was more than a bit of a stretch. That seemed to me as if it was at least a local maximum for sound quality for the band for some considerable stretch of time.

I don't get to see games live that often living on the east coast, but I have seen some years when it looked like something south of 100. That is just too small to be heard outside regardless of how good the individuals are.
In fact roughly for an outdoor, (pseudo) marching band, individual abilities are only roughly correlated to overall sound from the stands.

[oman]

I sort of wonder about the claim that "older" alumni don't like the LSJUMB. When I was a student, and the vast majority of alums had gone to school in the 1950s or earlier and were accustomed to a traditional Sousa-playing marching band, that was unquestionably true. But these days the vast, vast majority of alumni knew this version of the Band when they were students. I have a hard time believing they're grumpy about it.

At my reunions, the only complaint I hear is that an increasing percentage of the music it plays is unfamiliar to us, but that's said with wistfulness about the implications rather than anger at the LSJUMB. Of course we would rather hear Rag Doll and Yellow River rather than Green Day or Phish, but we realize we're not the target demo.

I think when I was an undergrad the older folks might have been upset about themes and style.  Now I think most of the older alumni, if they were to grouse at all, would make it more about quality than style or theme. 

[oman]

I sort of wonder about the claim that "older" alumni don't like the LSJUMB. When I was a student, and the vast majority of alums had gone to school in the 1950s or earlier and were accustomed to a traditional Sousa-playing marching band, that was unquestionably true. But these days the vast, vast majority of alumni knew this version of the Band when they were students. I have a hard time believing they're grumpy about it.

At my reunions, the only complaint I hear is that an increasing percentage of the music it plays is unfamiliar to us, but that's said with wistfulness about the implications rather than anger at the LSJUMB. Of course we would rather hear Rag Doll and Yellow River rather than Green Day or Phish, but we realize we're not the target demo.

I think when I was an undergrad the older folks might have been upset about themes and style.  Now I think most of the older alumni, if they were to grouse at all, would make it more about quality than style or theme. 

[yvonne]

The LSJUMB last fall celebrated its 50th anniversary in its current form. That means that those who were seniors in its first year are now in their early 70s.

[yvonne]

The LSJUMB last fall celebrated its 50th anniversary in its current form. That means that those who were seniors in its first year are now in their early 70s.

[76lsjumb]

At my reunions, the only complaint I hear is that an increasing percentage of the music it plays is unfamiliar to us, but that's said with wistfulness about the implications rather than anger at the LSJUMB. Of course we would rather hear Rag Doll and Yellow River rather than Green Day or Phish, but we realize we're not the target demo.

That shows how times change.  When I was in the Band, the only complaint we heard at reunions was:  "Hey...they're eating all the food!"  ;D

Actually, "Play Yellow River!!!" was pretty much a cliche before even I graduated...

[76lsjumb]

At my reunions, the only complaint I hear is that an increasing percentage of the music it plays is unfamiliar to us, but that's said with wistfulness about the implications rather than anger at the LSJUMB. Of course we would rather hear Rag Doll and Yellow River rather than Green Day or Phish, but we realize we're not the target demo.

That shows how times change.  When I was in the Band, the only complaint we heard at reunions was:  "Hey...they're eating all the food!"  ;D

Actually, "Play Yellow River!!!" was pretty much a cliche before even I graduated...

[martyup]

The LSJUMB is proof that Nerds can be cool. 

[martyup]

The LSJUMB is proof that Nerds can be cool.