Examine individual changes

'{{Upe}}{{Infobox college marching band | name = McGill Fight Band | logo = Fight Band Official Logo.png | school = [[McGill University]] | location = [[Montréal]], [[Québec]], [[Canada]] | conference = [[RSEQ]] [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]] | founded = 2006 | members = 30 }} The '''McGill Fight Band''' (also known simply as '''Fight Band''') is the [[pep band]] for the [[McGill Redbirds and Martlets|McGill University Redbirds and Martlets]] in [[Montreal|Montréal]], [[Quebec|Québec]], [[Canada]]. The band performs and cheers at one or more athletic events each week. In fall semesters, these include rugby, [[McGill Redbirds soccer|soccer]] and [[McGill Redbirds football|Redbirds football]] games. In winter semesters, these include basketball, [[McGill Martlets volleyball|Martlets volleyball]] and [[McGill Martlets ice hockey|Martlets hockey]] games. Fight Band performs at every [[McGill Redbirds ice hockey|McGill Redbirds hockey]] home game at [[McConnell Arena]] in both semesters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fight Band |url=https://mcgillathletics.ca/sports/2012/12/6/1206121625 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=McGill University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Other performances include McGill Open Air Pub, Blues Pub, Gerts Student Bar, McGill [[Relay For Life|Relay for Life]] and other campus events. The band also organizes several social events each year. The band comprises [[Brass instrument|brass]], [[percussion]], and [[Woodwind instrument|woodwind]] instruments played by students from varying faculties on campus, and is led by a president and executive as well as a brigade leader who is also responsible for "creat[ing] an extremely hostile environment for enemy schools to play" by starting [[Cheering|cheers]] at games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McGill Fight Band - Students' Society of McGill University |url=https://ssmu.ca/blog/2009/10/mcgill-fight-band/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ssmu.ca}}</ref> The band is open to anyone without audition, and regardless of skill level.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Morgan |date=2016-04-05 |title=Playing out of pride: The story of the McGill Fight Band |url=https://www.thetribune.ca/a-e/playing-out-of-pride-the-story-of-the-mcgill-441051/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=The Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Fight Band rehearses on Tuesdays in the McGill Gym complex.<ref name=":0" /> == History == Fight Band was founded in 2006 by Ted Smith with a group of friends at Bar des Pins,<ref name=":1" /> Inspired by Japanese [[Ōendan]]''.''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2010-03-22 |title=Perfect pitch: Fight Band looks to fine-tune McGill athletic pride |url=https://www.thetribune.ca/student-life/perfect-pitch-fight-band-looks-to-fine-tune-mcgill-athletic-pride/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> The band originally had less than 12 members and practiced in an office building on [[Sherbrooke Street]]. Members were allowed to drink during games, which gave the band its rowdy reputation and led to the creation of the "root beer magic" drink mix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2012-09-25 |title=Drink Mixes |url=https://www.thetribune.ca/student-life/drink-mixes/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In response, McGill Athletics formalized an agreement with the band that provided funding and banned drinking at games.<ref name=":2" /> In the following years, the band grew to over 30 members from a variety of faculties, while expanding its repertoire and maintaining its spirit and edge.<ref name=":2" /> == Composition == === Instrumentation === The band consists of members from various faculties at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at any of the McGill University campuses who play [[Woodwind instrument|woodwind]], [[Brass instrument|brass]] and [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] instruments. The instrumentation includes both marching band and concert band instruments.{{col-start}} {{col-3}}Woodwinds *Piccolo *Flute *Clarinet *Alto Saxophone *Tenor Saxophone *Bass Clarinet{{col-3}}Brass *B♭Trumpet *Horn/Mellophone *Trombone *Baritone *Tuba/Sousaphone{{Col-3}}Percussion *Snare Drum *Bass Drum *Tenor Drums *Cymbals *Tambourine *Auxiliary Percussion{{col-end}} === Conductor === Fight Band often has a dedicated [[Conducting|conductor]], who leads the band similar to a [[Drum major (marching band)|drum major]]. Most conductors are students in the faculty of [[music education]]. For games where a conductor is unavailable, the duty of [[Count off|count-offs]] and [[tempo]] typically falls to one of the percussionists. === Executive team === Fight Band is organized by an executive team of elected band members. Fight Band's executive positions are president, vice-presidents administrative, finance, internal, external, alumni and ultra. Each year, a brigade leader is appointed to lead cheers.<ref name=":1" /> The band is overseen by McGill Athletics and Recreation.<ref name=":0" /> === Sudbury Saturday Nights === While Fight Band plays at Friday night hockey games, the band performs at all other Redbirds hockey games under the name "Sudbury Saturday Nights (SSN)," inspired by the [[Stompin' Tom Connors]] song of the same name.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Drost |first=Phillip |date=Mar 17, 2018 |title=McGill's student band a hit with fans and teams alike at hockey nationals |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/mcgill-student-band-1.4580912}}</ref> SSN is organized by Fight Band's VP Ultra. While SSN is a part of Fight Band, it is directly affiliated with the Redbirds hockey team instead of with McGill Athletics. == Performance == === Performance style === Fight Band is known for their rowdy and boisterous performance style.<ref name=":2" /> The band will often [[Trash talk|chirp]] the opposing team's players during the game and lead cheers to support McGill.<ref name=":1" /> Band members stand in the bleachers while they play. The brigade leader or conductor will often try to pick songs that match the energy of the game, to create the right atmosphere for both players and fans. Popular songs include [[Hey! Baby|Hey! Baby!]], [[Bad Romance]], and [[Sweet Caroline]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2023-03-28 |title=We've got the(m) beat |url=https://www.thetribune.ca/sports/weve-got-them-beat/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> === Hockey games === Uniquely, Fight Band plays at every stoppage of play at hockey games instead of a [[Disc jockey|DJ]]. Instead of playing a song through, the band plays a short section between the referee's whistle signalling a stoppage and the next puck-drop. Fight Band occasionally plays at Redbirds away games, particularly the annual Corey Cup game against the [[Concordia Stingers]] at [[Ed Meagher Arena]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=Rouleau gets OT winner as McGill hockey team celebrates 147th birthday with Corey Cup conquest over Concordia |url=https://mcgillathletics.ca/news/2024/1/31/mens-hockey-rouleau-gets-ot-winner-as-mcgill-hockey-team-celebrates-147th-birthday-with-corey-cup-conquest-over-concordia.aspx |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=McGill University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> The band also travels to support the Redbirds at the [[U Sports men's ice hockey championship|U Sports national championship]] when they qualify, where they have had warm reception from players,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=U SPORTS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP: Sixth-seeded McGill stuns No.3 UBC in battle of the birds |url=https://mcgillathletics.ca/news/2024/3/15/mens-hockey-u-sports-hockey-championship-sixth-seeded-mcgill-stuns-no-3-ubc-in-battle-of-the-birds.aspx |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=McGill University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> coaches<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hewitt |first=Thomas |date=2024-03-16 |title=Redbirds oust UBC in tight U CUP quarterfinal contest - |url=https://49-sport.com/2024/03/16/redbirds-oust-ubc-in-tight-u-cup-quarterfinal-contest/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=49-sport.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and spectators.<ref name=":3" /> === Notable performances === * 2012 [[Rick Mercer Report]]<ref>{{Citation |title=Mercer & McGill Spread The Net |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0anL45Kd7pM |access-date=2024-03-26 |language=en}}</ref> * [[2017 U Sports University Cup]] in [[Fredericton|Fredericton, NB]]<ref name=":3" /> * [[2018 U Sports University Cup]] in Fredericton, NB<ref name=":3" /> * [[2024 U Sports University Cup]] in [[Toronto|Toronto, ON]]<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hewitt |first=Thomas |date=2024-03-17 |title=McGill Redbirds stun TMU to take U CUP bronze medal - |url=https://49-sport.com/2024/03/17/mcgill-redbirds-upset-tmu-win-bronze/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=49-sport.com |language=en-US}}</ref> == References == <references responsive="1"></references> {{Uncategorized|date=March 2024}}'