Rma116

UB Thunder of the East Marching Band

Hi, I appreciate your comments regarding the photos I've contributed the UB Thunder of the East article. In 1994, the actual UB marching band had just been re-established. The pep band remained a separate group, and was actually viewing the marching band and the color guard from the side of UB stadium opposite that of the announcers/media box. So, the pictures of the marching band and color guard are from 1994, and are associated with the actual marching band, although it had not yet been named the Thunder of the East, at least to my knowledge. Again, the pep band was also playing at that game and was in the stands, but it has never marched. The pep band and the marching band were - and always have been, at least to my knowledge - two separate groups. The marching band and color guard photos are from Fall 1994, probably September or October sometime, although I don't have an exact date and don't know what football game that was. I hope that helps. Daniellagreen (talk) 01:41, 30 March 2014 (UTC)

Follow-up - Rma116, I understand where you're coming from. That's actually one of the reasons that I posted the photos to the article, because there appears to be no "official" history recorded about the in-between time from when the new UB stadium opened and football games began being held there in 1994, and the last time that football games were played in the old stadium in 1993, up to the official formation of the marching band in 1999. I recall that there was much tension during that time between the pep band, the marching band, and university officials. Norm Alexander and pep band members, from what I recall, did not want to be changed into a marching band. So, the university kept the pep band, and established a marching band. As I say, it really was not officially known by any name at that time but the 'UB marching band.' I have at least one other picture of the pep band with Graduate Assistant Lou Vitello conducting, at the same football game in 1994 (the pictures that are posted in the article) at which the UB marching band and color guard performed. Perhaps that is a time in UB's history or the history of the music department that some folks would like to forget, I really don't know. But, I do remember that there was alot of tension. I recall that Norm felt frustrated and under pressure; he did not appreciate being dictated to by UB officials. I believe that it was thought that university officials went behind his back and created the marching band because, in 1994, it was quite a surprise when they came onto the field, sat in the stands, began playing, and did their half-time routine. And, the pep band's morale at that time was low because they felt unappreciated. There was the fear that the pep band would be terminated and/or that they would have to transition into being a marching band. Pep band members didn't want either of those things to happen. Norm's morale was also very low because I think he was kept out of the loop about the marching band. It was as if the marching band was recreated in secret; it was a very hush-hush thing. If you know Norm or Lou, I would suggest that you get into contact with them for more information. I just remember that Norm was very upset about the whole situation. I just don't know Norm's or Lou's whereabouts or contact information at this juncture. Also, it would be awesome if you could locate and post some historic photos; I think that would be really great! When I have some additional time in the future, I will try to look for more references and source more of the information on the article, though references have been hard to find. Thanks for sharing that one in your initial message - that is very valuable. Daniellagreen (talk) 02:51, 30 March 2014 (UTC)

It may be possible that the marching band is not UB's then. The impression that people at the game had, including the pep band, was that this was UB's band. If its not, it was not made clear to anyone that it was not; there was no communication that it was not UB's band. I don't have any other photos, nor did I attend any other football games after 1994. Since the identity of the marching band seems uncertain, I removed the images. I appreciate your interest! Daniellagreen (talk) 12:02, 30 March 2014 (UTC)

I was just going through and re-reading your comments again as I was in a hurry and behind schedule this morning when I left my previous comments. Wow, that's very sad that Norm and Frank have died. I knew Norm, and will have to look for his obituary; I don't imagine he was older than 70, that's very sad. It's good to know that Lou is still around in the area; he was very serious about music. And yes, the band library! That room was a kind of general storage area, and I know it was used for the orchestra, concert band (wind ensemble), and pep band. It sounds like it was also a storage area for the prior marching band, as well. That room served as kind of the 'band headquarters' for students. Regarding the photos and copyrights, the photographer(s) who took the photos, I would imagine, are also deceased; I don't know how to go about their publication if the proper copyright license has not been attributed by the original photographer. I also appreciate your providing the reference about Nelson stating that it would take some years and a considerable sum to get the marching band going. I vaguely remember those quotes. Then, can you imagine, to everyone's surprise, a marching band performs at a home game just a couple days after he said that! There was definitely alot of misinformation and unclear communications occurring at that time, and it made for alot of confusion and hurt feelings. That was one aspect about UB that could have often been improved - better and more clear communications about various issues and events to students and the campus community. At any rate, I'm glad to see the marching band, and hope that others will also contribute to building up its Wiki article. All the best, Daniellagreen (talk) 20:14, 30 March 2014 (UTC)