Yeah, I guess both of the last 2 comments to me are fair/accurate. Showing my age and desire for nostalgia.

But, geez! $100k?!?! This school pisses that amount away on a daily basis, within minutes.

Played baritone in middle and high school. Freshman year, we had enough that I was an alternate. Did march baritone, so in the stands I got to play the traditional version while those who marched in the show used the marching version like a trumpet. Afterwards, I got to use the marching version. For concert season, we used euphoniums (basically traditional version that looked more like a tuba, and had an extra valve).

Can't imagine having to march a full show using the traditional version.

I know in 97/98 I looked at what a silver marching version was priced at. A Yamaha was close to $2k.

uujm said:

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fc2112 said:

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To those who watch the FTAB closely, the baritones the band marches with appear to be antiques. There is presently a campaign ongoing to pay the approximately $100,000 it will take to replace them.

Consider throwing a few extra bucks you may have to this campaign. See details from Phil below:

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However, this year they have 30 baritones that are quite old and well beyond their useful life. Further repair is both expensive and untenable due to the age and condition of the instruments. The cost for replacement is approximately $100,000…. or about $3300 each.

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Someone get Brewer out of retirement to do instrument repairs. First time I met him he was blowing cigarette smoke through a clarinet checking for leaks.

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Confirmed with Mrs. Col. Brewer: "Sounds about right."

TP Ag '87 said:

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Yeah, I guess both of the last 2 comments to me are fair/accurate. Showing my age and desire for nostalgia.

But, geez! $100k?!?! This school pisses that amount away on a daily basis, within minutes.

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Since privately funded instead of state funded how is the school urinating money? Having a prized tradition?

We can save all the money and shut down Texas A&M I guess???

Quote:

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those who marched in the show used the marching version like a trumpet.

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I believe the proper term is "flugelbone"

That always made me giggle.

You lost me.

I'm referring to the spending in the football program and its facilities. Just my opinion, which is worth very little.

We call them "crappers"

Has anyone looked under the couch cushions in the suites at Kyle?

Do student groups still get paid to work concessions at football games?

Ginormus Ag said:

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What's a Baritone?

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They (the FTAB horns in question) are actually Euphoniums. A Baritone Horn (aka "Baritone") is a similar, but still different instrument that isn't common in the US -- and certainly not in US school bands. Both Baritones and Euphoniums play, roughly, in the same range that a trombone plays in as they both use virtually the same mouthpiece. The Baritone horn has a brighter sound, usually, than the Euphonium. The Trombone's sound is a little harder to describe in comparison; I like to say it is more bombastic. All three can be solo instruments, but the 'bone is the most common of the three for solo purposes except for maybe "dark" symphonic pieces.

There is a misconception that some horns are Baritones if they have 3 valves, if the Bell faces outward, etc. Some Euphoniums are even incorrectly called "American Baritones" due to these kinds of features. Unless you see a horn with the valves above the pipes (see pic below), it is a Euphonium.


Baritone Horn


Euphonium -- specifically the King 2280 that I'd recommend the Aggie Band purchase. Probably a little heavier than the horns they're using, but sound and intonation would be FAR better.

You can put me down for a hundred bucks if that would help.

DentalAg said:

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There is a much cooler version of marching baritone that's sits on the musicians left shoulder and the bell faces forward.

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You're thinking of contrabasses. Replacements for sousaphones. We'll never see them in the FTAB as they're too hard to carry and play for that group.

Just use a cello instead

The TMF should be covering this 100%. It is spare change, a rounding error, compared to donations, season tickets, and all the NIL BS.

A few facts from different websites about the Aggie Band:

Students are primarily responsible for their own instruments. Students are encouraged to bring their own instruments, though a limited number of university instruments are available for student use
(This was the case in the 80s)

The university provides a limited backup supply. A limited number of university instruments are available for student use. These serve as a supplement for cases where students cannot provide their own, but they are not the primary source of instrumentation for the band. (This was the case in the 80s)

The Texas A&M Foundation makes it clear that outside donations are needed: gifts can help support the band's operations, travel, and instruments.
(Jackie Sherrill raised over $250K to cover the band's travel needs to Arkansas for the 1982 game)

TABA funds scholarships for band cadets (through the Texas A&M Foundation), shares the cost of the Texas Aggie Band Show, and provides direct financial aid, upon request, to the Office of the Director of Bands. Tamu The Eternal Aggie Band Fund's interest earnings are also specifically designated to cover band needs not covered by the regular budget.

If you want to give, follow this link: https://myaggieland.txamfoundation.com/tamf/give
and search for Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Instrument Endowed Fund 400-53146

This shouldn't even be an issue. I am sure TAMU with all its deep pockets has $100K to give the band.

I swear **** like this makes me think of this meme every time . I think yall can guess which one is any one of the TAMU orgs that could actually cover this without blinking and who is the poor *******s being guilted into donating more and more. Every year. For everything.

Ginormus Ag said:

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JustisWalkert said:

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Ginormus Ag said:

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What's a Baritone?

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I was wondering the same thing

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Do we really need those? They look stupid. For $100K I think we could get something that looks a lot cooler for the BQs

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yeah, why not invest in sidearms. thosecx would sound great. or sunglasses.

"Hey schmucks, I know we now ask you to pay for donation, seat ticket, parking, gas to and from town, overpriced food and drinks, and now player salaries, but it's also up to you to fund the band that plays 3 times a game, that you can't hear, while the other teams small traveling band blasts their annoying songs all game."

"Please don't be selfish and give us more of your abundance of riches."

Heineken-Ashi said:

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"Hey schmucks, I know we now ask you to pay for donation, seat ticket, parking, gas to and from town, overpriced food and drinks, and now player salaries, but it's also up to you to fund the band that plays 3 times a game, that you can't hear, while the other teams small traveling band blasts their annoying songs all game."

"Please don't be selfish and give us more of your abundance of riches."

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Band that plays 3 times a year? Who TF are you talking about? Because it's certainly not the FTAB.

Band that plays 3 times a year?

He said 3 times a game. Bongo players dont read music or posts very well

Are the horns in bad shape or are they just antiques? Some of the best made horns out there were made in the 60s-70s.

The university can't spare $10,000 from their 18+ billion dollar endowment to help? That's 0.00006% of the fund…

ABATTBQ87 said:

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Band that plays 3 times a year?

He said 3 times a game. Bongo players dont read music or posts very well

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Oh. It was late. I was tired.

But also claiming they only play 3 times a game is kinda dumb too. So. Point still stands

Satellite of Love said:

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The university can't spare $10,000 from their 18+ billion dollar endowment to help? That's 0.00006% of the fund…

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Not allowed by law…

https://www.utsystem.edu/puf

Th Athletic Department should fund 75% of the band operating budget and expenditures, period.

I am an aggie who loves our school and everything about it. But to me, this is something that is sad to see with all the resources we have that we can't find this money internally for something that we love to promote with our traditions and how cool our marching band is etc. This should be included as a branding/marketing spend to make sure the product we put out is always top quality.

This deserves some public shaming that they are coming to the alumni base to cover such a small amount of dollars that should have been readily handed over. Hopefully this will also fix future issues/requests of a similar nature.

If you feel so strongly about shaming the school, impoverish it. Call to your congress critters and have them provide more funds to Texas and fewer to A&M. Problem solved…

start sending around the BQs to knock on doors selling chocolate bars for $10.