And the Band Played On
July 28, 2014 8:02 AM Subscribe
Jonathan Waters, the director of the Ohio State marching band, was fired last week after allegations of a sexualized atmosphere rose to the surface. Waters, who has been in his current position since 2012, had directed several halftime performances that gained national media attention.
Two of his performances have been covered on the blue previously and can be viewed here and here. A petition to reinstate Waters on change.org has already received over 5,000 signatures.
Two of his performances have been covered on the blue previously and can be viewed here and here. A petition to reinstate Waters on change.org has already received over 5,000 signatures.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Hey, we don't allow petitions in FPPs, sorry. -- restless_nomad
The text of the complaint can be found here.
I think that although Waters and his staff were somewhat uncomfortable with what the culture had degenerated to, whatever steps they took were too little and too late. It's a shame, because it does seem like he was sensitive to the issues. On the other hand, he was also in charge, and apparently unwilling to go the distance required to change the culture of the band for the better.
So, yeah, College Kids gonna College Kid. The Grownups should've adulted, though.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 8:21 AM on July 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think that although Waters and his staff were somewhat uncomfortable with what the culture had degenerated to, whatever steps they took were too little and too late. It's a shame, because it does seem like he was sensitive to the issues. On the other hand, he was also in charge, and apparently unwilling to go the distance required to change the culture of the band for the better.
So, yeah, College Kids gonna College Kid. The Grownups should've adulted, though.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 8:21 AM on July 28, 2014 [1 favorite]
I can imagine being a part of group like that could be a really great time, so it's sad if it ended up becoming something terrible for some members.
And, if most of those "some members" were women, it wouldn't be just sad, but also a Title IX violation.
This part
But the culture at Ohio State has evolved differently from that at other schools. Many bands excluded women before federal rules banned gender discrimination in the 1970s, but since then, other Big Ten schools have moved toward a balance of men and women. At several, it’s close to an even split. At the University of Michigan, there are just as many women as men.
At Ohio State, just 1 out of every 5 members is a woman.
is telling. Some in the comments are saying "But it's an all brass band!" but I'm not buying it- brass sections (apart from the French horns/mellophones which often have close to a 50/50 split) are usually majority male, but not by *that* much.
posted by damayanti at 8:27 AM on July 28, 2014
And, if most of those "some members" were women, it wouldn't be just sad, but also a Title IX violation.
This part
But the culture at Ohio State has evolved differently from that at other schools. Many bands excluded women before federal rules banned gender discrimination in the 1970s, but since then, other Big Ten schools have moved toward a balance of men and women. At several, it’s close to an even split. At the University of Michigan, there are just as many women as men.
At Ohio State, just 1 out of every 5 members is a woman.
is telling. Some in the comments are saying "But it's an all brass band!" but I'm not buying it- brass sections (apart from the French horns/mellophones which often have close to a 50/50 split) are usually majority male, but not by *that* much.
posted by damayanti at 8:27 AM on July 28, 2014
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