" Thanks for all of your hard work Cornhusker Band members and directors! This is the first year in 12 years I haven't had a kid in band - 7 of which in the UNL Pride of all Nebraska (2 kids)! There will always be a tender place in my heart for the UNL band. "

" Give 'em hell, band! "

" I pray you people don't actually believe our "standing" marching band is actually good. Have you ever actually seen another teams marching band? We are by far the worst I have ever seen with no straight lines, lots of standing around playing (they should get chairs). I really wish they would learn a few more songs, rather than playing the fight song to death...I am very sad to say this is the Pride of All Nebraska. We should find a real conductor so we quit embarrassing ourselves. Its no wonder they never show our halftime entertainment unlike the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, etc. "

" Falcone and Bush do a great job, UNL has an upper teir band. Go to some Big 12 away games and watch their bands. There are a few greats and a few duds in this conference. Nebraska ranks well with the real bands. "

" ya know, I'm sorry to say that I somewhat agree with "Worst". The drill isn't what it used to be, the tunes aren't what they used to be, and the fundamentals have declined too. In addition, they are still playing a lot of the same tunes and cadences that we played in the early to mid 90's. Granted, from what I understand, they have lost a lot of funding from the Athletic Dept. Hopefully that will change now that the good Dr. is back at the stadium! "

" The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded The Pride of All Nebraska their prestigious Sudler Trophy in 1996 -- the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy in football. Your criticisms are completely unfounded make you sound like someone who couldn't make the cut for the Marching Red. These kids invest far too much time and effort for you to belittle and berate them. "

" I agree that the shows do seem similar from year to year, but a MAJOR part of it is the funding that has been stripped away from the band program and given to build stadiums etc. Something needs to be done to revive the pride of all Nebraska and make things how they once were..... FUN AND ENTERTAINING!! "

" Great! The band always puts on a good show, no matter how the team performs. For me, the game is secondary, and the band provides the real excitement. Especially love you tuba tooters - you provide the foundation of the band with your big, quality sound and classy moves. It takes a special person to have the stamina to carry such a large instrument, be graceful and melodious, all at once. Not to mention hanging on when a strong wind catches the bell and threatens to sweep you backward! (This ol' gramma tuba player has been there, done that.) "

" You know, why are you people bashing this band? Dont you realize what they go through, just so that there is SOME entertainment on the field during halftime? I mean, yea the cheerleaders/scarlets dance, but it is more provocative and classless! These students aren't even asking to be paid for their time, like the football players themselves! They give it their all and thats the thanks they get? I marched in high school and loved every minute! There is no substitution for a great band, and The cornhusker band IS and WILL ALWAYS BE the pride of all Nebraska! Go HUSKERS!!!!!1 "

" The only type of person that complains about the marching band is either a UNL alumni band member from the 70's or 80's or someone who would sucker punch Santa Clause in the mouth. Band alums from this era are the most bitter people in the country and probably still mad that they did away with SCUM. They always say, "When we were in band we were louder than all other bands combined, had lines that were straighter than a laser, were always in step, had the best drill ever designed and we marched 20 miles in the Orange Bowl parade and nobody passed out."

Having watched the band for decades, I can say that the band under Falcone and Bush is performing at a high level and does a very respectable job. They did not play as well under the direction of Chestnut or Kloecker. Things sound great now since they actually play in tune, the trumpets don't overblow and hang over at the ends of the tunes and they work on things like balance and blend. The earlier versions of the band, especially in the 80's, over-played and didn't have as good a sound. I do have to admit, though, that some of the bands from the 70's did have more accurate drill.

If you are comparing us to Texas A&M, you have to realize that their band is a military band and plays the exact same show for every game of the season. One would expect that they would be more fundamentally sound and the drill would be more precise.

Here is a pretty accurate breakdown of how the bands in the Big XII rank . . . .

1. Texas-Well, duh---They have a zillion people in the state to choose from. Pretty darned accurate drill and fundamentals.
2. Texas A&M--Repetition makes them accurate, however it isn't as cool after you've seen it 100 times.
3. Oklahoma--bigger isn't always better, but they do a great job. I HATE hearing Boomer Sooner every stinkin' time the team gets positive yardage. Talk about no variety of music. Geesh!
4. Nebraska--The Pride of all Nebraska has a lot to be proud of and is as good a soundin' band in the Big XII as there is.
5. Missouri--has shown improvement in recent years
6. Kansas--up and down, but solid music program
7. Kansas State--what can you say about the mildcats marching band
8. Iowa State--another program that has improved
9. Colorado--just goes to show you that one shouldn't drink before a performance--unless you are watching the Buff band.

I haven't seen Baylor, OK State or Texas Tech.

To you former band member complainers out there . . . please put away your trumpets or tenor saxes for good and don't show up to any more alumni band performances. Supportive alumni are involved with the band more than one day a year, know all of the hard work that the staff and kids put in and support them "in all kinds of weather."

The Pride of All Nebraska is AWESOME! "

" I'm a current marching band member, and I would like to respond to some of the negative comments that have shown up in this comment section. First to 'Worst in All Big', we sometimes only have 1 week to prepare a whole show, and this year we have a bunch of 1 week shows. That means we usually work on music for 1 or 2 days, and then drill the rest of the week. It is nearly impossible to be 100% perfect, but I do know we all give 100% effort each performance. We just don't have time to learn the show if we move around the entire time. It's not our fault... it's just how the games are scheduled. Plus, realize that we aren't a military band like Ohio State or A&M.

To 'Band Alumni', some things are going to be different this year, but you'll have to wait to see and hear them at the first home game! We all try our hardest out there, and we all appreciate it when others are supportive of us (that's what keeps us going at our 7:30am rehearsals during the school year). Whether it be at this Friday's free show, our Friday night football pep band performances at Misty's and Grandmother's, or our gameday performances in front of Kimball Hall and at the game, we hope that you all can come and support us. "

" Say what you will about the Nebraska band, but having seen every other band in the conference we are one of the only bands that plays the other team's fight song. It's a touch of class and sportsmanship that helps cement our place as the best fans in the nation.

That said, why is it that 90% of the halftime shows sound and look the same? Ugh. "

" Being both a UNL alumni and a 3-year band parent (go tubas!), I guess I have a different measure of pride.

In my eyes, a great college marching band is not based on straightness of lines and/or the depth and quality of their portfolio of music. Instead I focus in on how the band members and directors represent the university, both on and off the field. From this vantage point, the Cornhusker Band is the best.

With respect to measuring the level of difficulty of an individual halftime show, it is key that we remember 1) how Nebraska's schedule is skewed to maximize the number of home games (five games in six weeks) and that 2) the band members are students. Given that, I am totally fine seeing a less dynamic show presented by members who are enjoying both marching band and their college experience.

As for the comment relating to the frequency of the fight song, it appears to me the band is playing what the fans want to hear. What is wrong with that? We have seen, first hand, what happens when someone attempts to change "traditions" at Nebraska. Bo knows this. So does our band directors.

In summary, let's look at our marching band from a big picture point of view. From that perspective, they are something to be very proud of. "

" Go Big Red and thanks for all the hard work band members! "

" WOW there are a lot of band haters out. Keep in mind a lot of the kids in the band, in any college band, put in hours and hours of practice for a 11 minute show every week. Most shows are changed every week also, so new music and charts have to be memorized each week. Don't forget these are also full time students, so this is in addition to the other classwork they have to do.
Be glad that NU has such a large talented group of students that are out there for your entertainment. Several schools in the big 12 are having problems just getting enough band members to look like a division 1 school!
BTW-In case you think I am a former NU or current band member, I never was in band at NU or went to NU. I actually have absolutely no vested interest in NU's band but marched for a different D-1 college.
GO NU BAND-GREAT JOB! "

" Let's see . . . the band just finished auditions and someone writes very hateful, over-the-top, way off the mark negative comments . . . 2+2=someone didn't make the group and is mad. "

" Looking forward to the exibition Friday. It still gives me chills when the band runs out on the field for pregame. I do admit that the band plays at a standstill more since I started in '96. But it is more difficult to learn 7 to 8 shows per year than some years with 6. The sound is still as powerful as it was.

Some shows seem the same from year to year, but over the course of the year, the band plays a wide variety of music. You can bet that the shows taken to bowl games and big XXI, if we ever make it back to those, rival those of the best.

When you hear the band come out, you know it is gameday and that "There Is NO Place Like Nebraska!" "

" When I was in the Cornhusker Marching Band (CMB) in the mid to late 70s a new director took over shortly before I started. There were some alumns that didn't like his style compared to those who preceeded him. Some of the posts sound very similar to the same garbage that we (CMB members) had to listen to from one individual in particular (who I would love to call out by name, but will refain). Sounds like the chip is still on someone's shoulder. Times change and different directors have different styles--get over it! I know from my own experience the hard work that band members put into the CMB. To any current CMB members who had to read some of the crap posted here, pay it no mind and go out there, have fun and please know that there are many CMB alums who are very proud of the job that you are doing! "

" It is interesting to see people harshly criticize one of the most historic programs in the country. I hope you have taken the time to look at the history of the band program at UNL (they just celebrated their 125th anniversary back in 2006) when making your judgments. If so, you would realize how special this program is not just to bands in general, but to the state.

In addressing some of your points, keep this in mind:
1. During the Bill Byrne era, the band swelled to over 400 members. Byrne was a big fan of having the biggest band on the field. When Pederson took over the reigns, he capped the bands membership at 290. It has stayed this way for a number of years. If the cap has done anything, it has improved the quality of the marching band. Having served as a graduate teaching assistant, I have taken part in auditioning members, the process is lengthy and difficult. The directors have consistently strove to make sure the best 290 members were selected, reflecting the best and brightest for the CMB.

2. I had the chance to write drill for a marching band performance in 2005. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Trying to fit 290 people on a football field, have a design make sense and get them moving to a new form is incredibly difficult. Furthermore, having a week to learn the music and the drill makes the process even more difficult, because the drill cannot be too hard that it cannot look polished within a week.

Having been a part of the CMB for two years, and working with Professors Falcone and Bush, I have found the CMB to be one of the classiest organizations I have ever worked with. The students are excited to put their best performance on the field and enthusiastically support UNL in its many athletic endeavors. Think about how many schools send a band to every away game (outside of Texas and Oklahoma, Nebraska is the only school in the Big XII to do this).

Bar none, the CMB puts their heart and soul into being one of the best programs in the country (Sousa award, Sudler award, both the pinnacle of marching band accomplishments).

I recently acquired tickets to the San Jose State game. This will be my first time back to see a game in three years and I look forward to seeing the band perform their stand still show at Kimball Recital Hall and standing with 80,000 fans to yell "Go Huskers" during "No Place."

Keep up the great work CMB! You truly are the "Pride of All Nebraska!" "

" Football can be fun to watch...but without music the game would be a snoozer. There's nothing like the UNL Marching Band in our state. I'm not a band parent, not affiliated with the university.....just a person who appreciates the hard work these kids put into this band with no monitary support. Congratulations, Cornhuskers, on making the band. I'll be screaming my gratitude for you from my seat in the stadium. "

" As an alumni of the band, and as a current high school band director with many former students in the group, I must say how proud I am of everyone who is involved with the organization. I am reading these comments and wondering how many people who have responded with negative comments have ever directed a band...it is a huge undertaking and takes years to sometimes see progress. The directors of the UNL band have shown more than just progress, but have reached a high level of achievement that is sometimes lost in this team endeavor. Kudos to the marching band, I am proud of all you have given me, my siblings, and now my students! "

" I'm guessing most of these supporters (athletic supporters?) have never stepped foot outside of Nebraska. Chip, you're telling me the band plays better now than they did in the 90's? Get real.
I applaud the kids for their effort. I'm just disappointed in their leadership. Heck, next I'll hear an arguement that Callahan and Cosgrove shouldn't have been fired. "

" I think the marching band is ok, but some of their performances at halftime are boring. If you want to see powerhouse marching bands, look at Grambling University, Floriday A&M or Southern University. They only have 1 week to prepare a halftime show as well and they deliver a rockin performance. What is Nebraska's excuse. Lack of funding has nothing to do with quality performances. You don't improve by excuses or more money.
Like I said, they are ok, but they need to make their halftime show more enjoyable. To the person who said the scarlets and cheerleaders do classless dances, do you even know anything about their programs or how hard they work?....I didn't think so. "

" I think the UNL band is ok. Their halftime performances are a little boring. They do a good job getting the crowd fired up. I think their pep bands are really good. Coming from the South, I think that NU couldn't hold a stick to Grambling's, Southern's or Florida A & M's marching band. They only have 1 week to learn a show and choreograpy as well and each week they have a powerhouse performance because they are competing against the other teams marching band. The tradional black universities in the South have fine and energetic marching bands. NU could learn a thing or so. I also think they could learn from USC's marching band as well. Another powerhouse band. Excuses and funding do not a good band make. "

" Professor Falcone, the Director of the Cornhusker Marching Band, deserves better than to be maligned by a bitter band alum or someone who couldn't make the cut to be in the ensemble. To borrow a line from a late Texas senator, 'I know Tony Falcone. Tony Falcone is a friend of mine. And Mr. Anonymous Malcontent (a.k.a. Worst & Band Alum), you're NO Tony Falcone.' "

" I don't think some people realize that they get an entirely new show to learn each week, which usually consists of 3 or 4 pieces along with drill for each. I'm sure if they only learned one show for the entire season, you band haters would all start complaining about doing the same thing for every game. Which is more boring to you?

And you clearly haven't been in band or you wouldn't know how much time it takes to learn these drills and memorize the music. YOU try waking up at 5:30am every morning, THEN going to the rest of your classes, THEN going to work. It makes for a long day. You have to be a HARD WORKER to be in the CMB.

And no matter what, the CMB are some of the most dedicated fans I've ever seen, and that is SO important for the success of our team...

I also agree that the CMB brings class and much needed tradition to the football atmosphere. "

" Doesn't everyone know that the football game is just what goes on in between band concerts? Nothing wrong with the Cornhusker Marching Band. Go band! And kudos for all your hard work. "

" People are complaining about a volunteer group of kids that gives up a HUGE chunk of their semester to entertain fans and be part of one of the greatest traditions in college football? Do you people go down to the Matt Talbot Kitchen and complain that the volunteers aren't serving up the soup properly too? Shame on you.

BTW, the band does play better now than it did in the early 90's. I have recordings to prove it.

Thank GOD we are not USC. What a bunch of classless clowns. You know, sometimes pride, respect, class and dedication outweigh a missed step or a wrong note. And . . . comparing CMB to Grambling is like comparing them to a drum corps.

CMB is not a competitive organization. It is there for entertainment, team and fan support and to build spirit. Some of you evidently missed THAT point. "

" I'm alumni from 99-2001 and I have to say that I stand fully behind this band even if their shows lack a little now and then. Not only does the BD warmup still send shivers from head to toe, but anyone that wants to get up at 5:30am, put their instrument together by the light of a flashlight in memorial stadium and then wander around in the freezing cold for 3 hours with their lips and fingers on a brass instrument deserves all the respect we can muster. "

" Amy,
regarding your comments on all the band students do, getting up early, practice going to class, work, etc. Welcome to life. The kids choose to be in band and I am sure they learn good life skills. It is part of being in band. The football players train year round, memorize plays and go to conditioning and practice, etc. What is your point. the football players have to prepare for a new football team every week "

" You obviously haven't seen Grambling or Southern, they are not like a drum corps. they full out entertain. I think NU has a good band, but there performance can be boring. It seems funny that if you have an opinion that does not agree with how wonderful the NU band is you are wrong. I am not complaining, i am just saying how i feel. Black college marching bands are there for entertainment and school support as well.
USC band is a good group of kids, I have worked with them before. They might be a little cocky but they back it up with their performance.
USC, Grambling, all bands volunteer their time. It is an extra curicular activity. Alot of the SEC bands travel to a good majority of away games
as well as perform at home games. "

" I marched in the CMB for 2 years and we thought, at the time, that our version of "The Pride of All Nebraska" was the best ever. You can't really make a judgement until you step back and look at it objectively. I know now, after more life experience and having taught band for 15 years that we had our moments, but we were not the best version of the CMB that ever marched and played.

In the whole scheme of things, however, it really doesn't matter. Enjoy it for what it is and don't compare. Even if the 1971 band was better than the 1994 band, who cares? If the band was completely terrible, you might have a point, but the band, unlike the football team, has maintained it's 9-3 record for over 125 years. Perfection is impossible to attain. Effort and pride, however, can exist year in and year out. Falcone and Bush do a great job of encouraging, teaching and motivating . . . and . . . instilling an attitude of respect for the uniform and the privilege of being a member of "The Pride of All Nebraska."

"Sons of old Nebraska if someone should ask ya we're the Scarlet and the Cream." "

" but, as much as I support the kids in band right now, the band was better in the 80's and 90's. That is not a knock on the kids, they work hard and deserve credit. Our football team was better in the 80's and 90's too, but that doesn't mean we should stop supporting them.
Amy, I was in band. I and other alums feel the same way that the ex-players felt about the last four years. I did get up every morning and worked very hard on that field. I think I've earned the right to say that things could be better. That doesn't mean I don't support the kids. I always will. I go out of my way at away games to make sure the pep bands have my support. My, and others, opinion (and it is just an opinion) is not a personal attack on the directors or anyone else, it is what it is. My hopes are that some of the funding can return that would help them get new arrangements to play and more money to the staff so drill charts can improve.
Oh, Ponyboy (nice name), I don't have to listen the recordings. I was there. "

" Great story - I am so proud to see a nice positive story about two Lincoln kids that chased their dream to play for Nebraska. They worked hard and their efforts are paying off. I agree they deserve respect - anyone who wants to get out and practice in the dark and teh changes in the weather has my vote. The band is a part of the Husker experience, not just the game itself, and the band/flag corps/cheer/dance teams are an important piece. For all you naysayers, would your experience be the same without them? Personally I am so excited for August 30 for the start of the new regime, and I have goosebumps waiting to hear the Pride of all Nebraska!! "

" Hey Scott, too bad you have to keep your mouth on cold brass for three hours! If you were a female brass player, such as I was, you would know you stick your brass mouthpiece in your bra, then yank it out quick at touchdown time. This method helps you get a better sound and prevents 'mouth stuck to the flagpole' syndrome. "

" All of this fuss over the band? Come on folks, get a life. "

" I have the recordings and marched in the band in the late 80's and early 90's. The quote a few folks here . . . the band way overplayed when I was in it. We thought just because we could play PROLOGUE louder than Miami's band in the parking lot prior to the Orange Bowl parade that we were the best. Now I listen to the recordings and cringe.

In I've been to every game day rehearsal and performance of the band including full-band trip away games for quite a while now and I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE that this band plays better than many of their Big XII counterparts.

And, about the Grambling or Southern comments. I don't think they were saying that THOSE schools were drum corps. I think they were saying that those schools have different style bands. CMB is a show band. Grambling is a "tear it up" band. Yale has a scatter band. A&M has a military band. They are all different and all have their place. If you are disappointed that the CMB is not another style of band, it is like being disappointed that you were born with a certain eye color. Get over it. Live with it. Move on. "

" When we were playing Prologue, we were playing it precise. No one around me was trying to "play it loud". Besides, the Miami band countered with a jr. high level Beach Boys medley. I hope you are not comparing our performance with their band. If so, you just lost a lot of credibility. "

" I am a huge Cornhusker Marching Band supporter, having 2 kids playing in this year's band. I am very saddened and disappointed by the band "bashing" I have read on this website. I will add my comments to the others that these kids work very hard for ONE hour of credit to add a tremendous amount of spirit to each home game. I also have nothing but praise for Tony Falcone & Doug Bush, both of whom have been great leaders. My older student will be a 3rd year band member and has gotten to know them both. Someone who bashes college kids in a band is a very bitter person! These people love music and what they are doing and my family is behind them 100%!! Count me as one of the fans with chills when The Pride of All Nebraska takes the field! "

" JAY, Worst, and other whiners--I'm just curious...do you go to Husker games? When the team scores a touchdown, kicks a fieldgoal or even gets a first down and the fight songs start playing, what is your reaction? Do you clap, smile or just roll your eyes? If you want to complain and make band members feel like what they are doing is a waste of time, that is your decision. But imagine going to a football game without the band. And I can predict what you'll say next...the sound system can run the fightsongs. Who do you think recorded the songs that it plays? The marching band. So bash the band all you want but without the band, there would be no spirit at the games. Without spirit at the games, there wouldn't be consecutive sellouts or the Sea of Red. "

" First of all, the football players SHOULD have to train year 'round for the season, they get scholarship money, free clothes, etc. Band members give their time because they want to be a part of the Pride of all Nebraska. And if you're hearing the fight song a lot, it's because positive things are happening on the field. We also fill the gaps with other stuff, so try paying attention for a game. I don't know who these complainers think they are to criticize a group of people who work their butts off in freezing cold weather, rain or shine, to put on their best performance every halftime after having only a week to learn music and drill. back up off! "