Months ago there was discussion on this thread about the full band and whether it could go to Columbus. Does anyone know the verdict on that? I feel like having just the Straw Hat Band there will lead national viewers and Buckeye fans with the belief that that's what our band looks like. Seems like memories of one of the last time the two teams/bands met...

The Athletic department is paying for the band to go, but its only a small number

My info is that Cal will have 50 there. I think a typical Straw Hat Band presence is more like 30-40. So 50 does have very full sound. Other aspect is how much of spirit groups with flags. Problem of seating at away games is I wonder how they will split Band and Cal fans in stadium. My seats are way up on top. Band usually near field.

That's unfortunate given that the Cal band is based on the Ohio State band. Too bad they can't bring the full contingent. What if every Cal band alum gave $50 specifically earmarked for this, could it happen? Crowd sourcing.

sandiegobears;841928942 said:

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That's unfortunate given that the Cal band is based on the Ohio State band. Too bad they can't bring the full contingent. What if every Cal band alum gave $50 specifically earmarked for this, could it happen? Crowd sourcing.

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I would contribute but I am positive that it's too late (exactly 3 weeks away).

Athletics already bought the tickets and reserved the flight...its too late

I think the cost to bring the full band was $250k. Given we're having problems raising $15k for the bonfire, this wasn't going to happen.

BellowingBerkeleyBear;841928892 said:

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My info is that Cal will have 50 there. I think a typical Straw Hat Band presence is more like 30-40. So 50 does have very full sound. Other aspect is how much of spirit groups with flags. Problem of seating at away games is I wonder how they will split Band and Cal fans in stadium. My seats are way up on top. Band usually near field.

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You are correct unfortunately. Considering how Cal fans and the Straw Hat band/cheerleaders have been divided at other away games - they are almost inaudible/invisible. Especially at big places like the Horseshoe no doubt. I presume it will be much like Tennessee where we sat on the 4th story and the cheer squads and band were obviously ground level. It's a pity we couldn't bring our full band to rival OSU's spell out..we would rule!

I heard that The OSU scheduled their high school band day for our game -- they wouldn't let us perform at half-time because they had other plans... Douche-bags!

randythebear;841929083 said:

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I heard that The OSU scheduled their high school band day for our game -- they wouldn't let us perform at half-time because they had other plans... Douche-bags!

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Seriously? "douche-bags"?
Do you really think they scheduled hsbd before knowing if we were bringing a full band? You don't think the $250,000 had more to do with us not bringing a full band?

Lighten up Francis.

bigtuba1;841929098 said:

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Seriously? "douche-bags"?
Do you really think they scheduled hsbd before knowing if we were bringing a full band? You don't think the $250,000 had more to do with us not bringing a full band?

Lighten up Francis.

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No kiddin

bigtuba1;841929098 said:

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Seriously? "douche-bags"?
Do you really think they scheduled hsbd before knowing if we were bringing a full band? You don't think the $250,000 had more to do with us not bringing a full band?

Lighten up Francis.

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No question in my mind that, if situation was reversed and we got a call from OSU saying they wanted to bring their band to a game in Berkeley, we would re-schedule high school band day. We would be thrilled to have the opportunity to host any Big-10 marching band - and especially OSU or Michigan. Same for Tennessee, or any other big out-of-conference school that was willing to pay to bring their band to perform in Berkeley. Hell, I bet we would make the schedule change if Fresno State wanted to bring their band to Memorial Stadium.

Although, I doubt that Cal really pushed very hard to make it happen. If Birgeneau called their President and made the request, I'm guessing it would have been granted. I was just annoyed by what I heard: the Cal Band director called OSU to inquire and was told that a Cal Band performance at half-time was not possible because they had high school band day... I just found that very insulting -- hence, my comment.

All of these comments beg the question:

Would the Ohio State Band consider bringing their whole band to Berkeley in 2013?

(Probably about as much chance as we ever had of going there this year, but it would be awesome to hear their 150+ brass section in CMS.)

Sebastabear;841928964 said:

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I think the cost to bring the full band was $250k. Given we're having problems raising $15k for the bonfire, this wasn't going to happen.

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Why would it cost so much? That's over $1k per band member.

boredom;841929327 said:

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Why would it cost so much? That's over $1k per band member.

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1. Round trip
2. Hotel
3. Leaving thursday = at least 7 meals
4. Shipping large instruments
5. Bus from airport to hotel to the shoe back to the hotel to the airport

(We each got $150 for food per band member during the Holiday bowl)

Maybe not quite $1,000 but pretty close