Less than two weeks before the Falcon Marching Band (FMB) was expected to perform at the Battle of I-75 game at the University of Toledo’s (UToledo) Glass Bowl, Toledo informed BGSU its band could no longer perform at the halftime show.
The email informing students of the change of plans, sent out on Oct. 14, contained no word from UToledo as to why the band’s performance was canceled.
In an email sent to band students, BGSU’s president, Rodney Rogers, emphasized how “extremely disappointed” he was to hear of the news.
“We cannot speculate as to why the decision was made, but it came as a surprise to BGSU just weeks before the game, directly impacting our band members’ student experience as one of our two planned away game halftime performances this season,” Rogers’ email said.
The news sparked outrage amongst band members. Madison Allman, a third year business major and FMB drum major, spoke of her prior experience marching at the Glass Bowl and shared how devastated she was to be unable to return.
“Gutted is the word I would use. Disappointment is not enough to describe the feeling I have about it,” Allman said. “I’ve marched now for seven years, and nothing compares to the moment we played Toledo my freshman year…knowing that I don’t get to have that experience with them this year is devastating.”
Allman emphasized the band’s disappointment is not aimed towards UToledo’s Rocket Marching Band. Their message is aimed only towards the UToledo administrators that canceled the band’s performance.
“There’s no rivalry between the bands. We are colleagues in music no matter what,” Allman said. “The Rocket Marching Band is going to play next year in the Doyt because we prioritize student experience. It just shows a lack of empathy on (UToledo’s) part towards that experience.”
Elijah Reynolds, a fourth year exercise science major and FMB trombone section leader, spoke on his disappointment towards the decision removing the opportunity for both the FMB and Rocket Marching Band to perform that night. He shared observations on how the performance’s cancellation is a reflection of trending attitudes towards the arts at other universities.
“This is a complete disregard for the values they hold in their music and something they chose to do over their own marching band’s time,” Reynolds said. “It’s a small step that can lead to much larger strides towards the downfall of marching bands.”
Student leaders in the FMB have sent emails to UToledo’s administration, pleading with them to allow the band to play at the pivotal rivalry game. Joseph Boyle, a sophomore computer science major and clarinet player in the FMB, sent one such email to UToledo’s athletic director voicing his confusion and asking to let them play.
“We ask that you look deeper into the individual people: all 425 members of the Falcon Marching Band, every single fan of the FMB, the friendships, relationships, and family ties bonded over time, and all the feelings behind every single one of those people,” an excerpt from Boyle’s email said. “I ask you to look every single one of them in the eyes and tell them that you don’t want them to continue those bonds, to strengthen those bonds, and to create some bonds through this magic we call music.”
Boyle said sending his email to UToledo’s administration was his way of making a difference and being a voice for his beloved FMB community.
“When we first heard the news, I was emotional about it, and I felt like some concerns I had heard immediately definitely needed to be understood by Toledo,” Boyle said. “…It has taken away from our time, it has taken away from the Rocket Marching Band’s time and it feels unfair to music as a whole.”
Alumni of the band also voiced their frustration at the situation. Erica Leavell, a 2005 graduate of BGSU and former tenor saxophone player, spoke of her fond band memories and said her frustration lied in lack of notice from UToledo.
“If there were a valid explanation, it might be easier to swallow, but just weeks out from game day, knowing that both bands have already prepared performances, to find this out and not know why is a really bad look on UT’s part, especially given that this is not the first time they have done something like this,” Leavell said. “I have fond memories of performing and marching in the Glass Bowl as a Falcon, and it saddens me to know that current students won’t get to experience that.”
FMB members and alumni encouraged friends, family and fans to take to social media to protest the performance’s cancellation. A recent UToledo Instagram post amassed over 400 comments demanding to “let the FMB play,” with many comments from University of Toledo students, alumni and community members.
“FMB not playing? Fall break officially ruined,” Jonah Houtz, a student at the University of Toledo said in one such Instagram comment. “They are one of the best bands in the country right now, and it is a shame to disallow these student musicians to perform their craft and celebrate a years long tradition with family from both teams.”
Jonathan Waters, BGSU’s band director expressed extreme disappointment regarding the event and explained the importance of having these traditions live on.
“Marching bands are part and parcel of college football. It brings the flavor of college football to stadiums across the country, and we’re disappointed that we won’t be able to play,” Waters said.
“Unfortunately for those fans and people who want to see both the Rocket Marching Band and the Falcon Marching Band, that won’t happen unfortunately and I’m disappointed. Especially for our seniors.”
The University of Toledo released a statement Thursday, one day after announcing that the Falcon Marching Band was unable to perform.
“The University of Toledo is proud to be honoring its annual Hall of Fame class during halftime of the October 26th home game against Bowling Green State University. UToledo replied to BGSU’s request to perform through a series of communications to BGSU leadership that we would be utilizing the time available at halftime for our Hall of Fame inductions and the Rocket Marching Band performance. The response we received from both BGSU’s President and Athletic Director was one of disappointment, but understanding of our time limitations. This decision was clearly communicated and not a “surprise”,” the university spokesperson said.
The statement went on to affirm the importance of the Rocket Marching Band to the University of Toledo and confirm that the FMB’s invitation to attend the game was still extended.
“UToledo’s obligation is to fully recognize the members of our community who have meant so much to our success and to our hard-working students in the Rocket Marching Band. We will not compromise on this opportunity to celebrate these remarkable individuals. We welcome the attendance of the Falcon Marching Band at the game and recognize the value both bands add to this rivalry.”
