Year in and year out, we ask the same thing. Major parts of our cheering tradition like singing Fly High, Hail Ateneo Hail, Roll Out the Victory, the X, etc. are being forgotten because our brass band seemed to have died with the demise of Col. Campana some decades ago.

To revive this tradition, HS77 donated brass instruments during their Jubilee year. And I know that a few guys have succeeded in elevating the brass band into a Varsity activity in order to catalyze a grass-roots buildup of brass players from the GS and HS.

But where are we on this? Can't we compromise and start hiring brass players to complement our students as we build up?

What's the update on this?

Pooty Tang was a brass band member in the mid-90s. Maybe he can shed light on this matter.

On the brass band being a varsity activity, it already was a varsity activity as far back as the '80s in the AHS. The problem is, even as a varsity activity back then, their really are just quite a few students who actually have interest and talent for playing in a brass band.

Playing a brass instrument isn't as simple as playing a percussion instrument either. Normally Blue Babble Band aspirants (who has any semblance of rhythm) can easily be trained within weeks to play our beats. But for the brass players you really have to get students who have had formal training as a child. Now if we can somehow incorporate playing brass instruments in our Music classes as early as gradeschool then that would be a start of a great grass roots program.

Atensita comm, actually 'lead brass percussionist' ako aka cymbals player:D Ang training ko dati basta sumabay lang ako sa tambol ng bass drum.

What are the actions being done by the current leadership of the Babble? Is the admin helping? Is this part of the program of Mico Halili for the Blue Babble?

Can we see the revival of the Ateneo Brass Band for the Season 69 basketball games?

The current or the young Babble alums might know where the donated equipment of Batch 77 are now.

Pooty, yep... you told me nga na 'lead brass percussionist' ka before. Hyukhyukhyukhyukhyuk!!!

I think that just as important as reviving the brass band is making sure we actually have an Ateneo gallery that is capable of singing such things as...

1. Blue Eagle the King
2. Hail, Ateneo Hail
3. Roll Out the Victory
4. Marcha de San Ignacio (aka Fundador)
5. Battle Song (by Fr. de la Costa)
6. The Ateneo Cadet Corps March

Lots of nice things, besides these.

Watching and listening to the Babble in today's football games really made me convinced that the Brass Band should be revived.

The playing of our drum and snare beats are extremely superb... having horns, cymbals and the like will really do a good complement for the 6th Man heroes!

atenista_comm asked me to comment on this since I'm with the Babble.. frankly, i can't really shed that much light on this topic since this is only my first year with the college Babble. Let me just draw from my past experiences as a Babble member all through high school (and some of grade school )

First, regarding the instruments donated by HS77. I'm thinking these are the instruments all covered-up in the back of our storage room. I'm no brass instrument expert but I wonder if these are all still in playable condition.

Next, my thoughts on reviving the brass band. I too think that it should be revived. Have it in such a way that it will complement the Babble Band. If you noticed in some of this season's games, there was a brass band playing beside the Babble. If you also noticed, they rarely played. And, there were times when we had to cut their playing by just suddenly playing our beats. It's not as easy to coordinate with them as they were just hired, I believe, by the Mr. Capistrano. There was a time when our coach even told us that if the brass band played, dont mind them.. just keep on playing the beats. This conflict was probably caused by the fact that they were just hired.

In the past couple of years, the Babble Band had a very small group of brass instrument players. In those years, I think there was more coordination. They had to be, since those individuals were considered members of the Babble. For me, it was great hearing them play alongside the Babble Band.

If Mico Halili and the rest of the Babble Heads or the Admin decide to really revive the brass band, they should start looking into the HS and GS for possible ways of honing youngsters in playing these instruments. Like most of you said, hindi basta-basta lang natutunang tumugtog ng brass instruments. When I was in high school, there was an attempt to start a brass band org. The plan was for them to train students and eventually have them play alongside the HS Babble. I have no idea what happend to that org. After two years, it just suddenly disappeared.

Lastly, just to add to atenean_blooded's list. hehe..yung Hey. Even if it's not really an Ateneo cheer. It sounds really cool when it's played.

That's all. Hope to see some of you guys during the Football and Baseball games. And the other sports as well. GO ATENEO. ONE BIG FIGHT.

I believe the real title of this song is "Rock and Roll Part 2." Just sayin'.

Since we don't have a brass band as of this time, can we just go on with the idea of hiring a brass band for next season. the last few basketball games last year with the brass band was really awesome...even if the Babble and the brass band were not yet in synch. (hate to include the suspended school in the discussion...but I really like how their hired brass band compliments their cheer Go lasalsal) would really like to hear a revival of the HAIL ATENEO HAIL song and Blue eagle the king song. Everyone in ateneo used to know how to sing the Blue eagle king song....do they still sell the notebook where the lyrics of the song were printed at the back????

^^^As a70 mentioned, though I also hate to mention this, if we can't muster the logistics and warm bodies to revive the Ateneo Brass Band, we can first hire a LOUD (in bold since last season's band in the final four game paled in comparison to the HIRED BAND of the DLSU Pep) band to complement our cheering.

What do you think guys? I mean, this is a worst case scenario. But if this is the way to springboard the revival, then we must do this. As I have said countless times, the Ateneo Blue Babble Band is the best in the Philippines. But being best is not the end, moreso foregoing traditions.

Bother to comment on this, miggz? I hope other Babble (alum and current) A.netters will express their thoughts on this matter.

comm, personally i don't mind having a hired brass band for now. Some things just bothered me a little though.
1) They wore almost the same uniforms as we did for part of the season. If you noticed, we had no new jerseys for quite some time. We had to wear the blue Hulk Fabiliooooh shirts which they also wore together with their white pants as well. The only difference was we were in white shoes, they were in black.

2) There was very little coordination between them and us. I dont exactly know how this can be resolved. I remember one training day though wherein a couple of us were pulled out of our regular training to play the beats with the hired brass band. We were only able to coordinate with the "free throw beat," Ateneo chant and the Song for Mary.

3) When they play songs, it doesn't seem to pump up everyone as much. True, not everyone knows the words to Hail Ateneo Hail and Blue Eagle the King anymore. And, the only cheers wherein we can fully incorporate drum beats to the the brass band are OBF and the Ateneo chant. If you notice, these two cheers are not really played as much. Comparing this to the greener side, the go lasalsal seems to work well in pumping up their crowd. I think this is the only advantage they have in terms of Hired Brass Band. I don't really hear anyone singing when they play their school songs aside from their Alma Mater.

I think the hired band can even be tapped to help train and develop a brass band pool to work with the BBB.

I think that the songs have to be used as frequently as possible, and must be taught to freshmen when they're taught our cheers. These songs aren't just songs, guys. They're tradition. And if there's anything we can claim to have more than any other school in this blasted country, it's tradition.


miggzs:

I think that it's possible to try and have someone work out a horn arrangement for "GO ATENEO ONE BIG FIGHT," even if it's just a long, low, but blaring note, and maybe even for your "Manson" beat (which, I think, despite what you guys might have to say, is in dire need of LYRICS; perhaps we can bring back Animo Ateneo through this). And maybe they can have crashing cymbals and tititlating horns whenever you play "Get That Ball."



And maybe, just for kicks, they can ask the DLRT hired brass band about the Go La Salle song.




Bakit?



Kasi....




GO, INTAL! GO, INTAL! GO, INTAL INTAL INTAL!

miggzs, I think the main reason why the hired brass band was not able to pump the crowd much was the fact that they could not be heard all through out the Ateneo 6th Man gallery.

I hate to say this, but the hired brass band of the dimwits and nincompoops is much much louder compared to the Malabon band that we hired. Solution: HIRE A STRONGER, LOUDER, MORE FORCEFUL BAND.

As for the uniform not being changed for quite some time already, what's the problem? Lack of funds? Maybe Pooty Tang can shell out some of his earnings as a high profile banker. Solution: POOTY TANG DONATES.

Regarding the coordination. I guess it can be solved with a fairly easy task of the Captain being able to manage the group well. Perhaps the songs can be done when the players enter the court... a rendition of Fly High and Hail Ateneo Hail. Coordination should not be a problem since the band is hired. Since the Ateneo is the hiring entity, then you guys as representatives of the Ateneo should be the one directing them what and when to play. Solution: MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTION.

I must also add, migzzs, that you guys have been doing extremely well this off-UAAP Basketball season---during the Alum homecoming last December, the Ateneo-San Beda game last December, the football games last Sunday. With the proper people, the funds (which I'm sure will be very much available if notice is given to those who have to spare), the leadership... a brass band will fully complement the great job you guys are doing. The Ateneo Ateneo Go and Fight chant is very much nice to hear with a brass band accompanying it... it should send shivers to the spines of our enemies.

I am with atenean_blooded in saying that it is time for us to revive our Animo Ateneo cheers. Or if not, a new and faster Animo Ateneo chant or beats, which I am sure you creative band members can very much do.

To end, why is it that the Babble seldom uses the One Big Fight cheer these days?

Comm/miggzs:

The traditional way that it was done, according to my sources, was that before any cheering, and before the players entered the court, the Ateneo gallery would be up in arms singing the fighting songs (Hail Ateneo Hail, The Ateneo Cadet Corps March, the Hoiah, etc., and usually at the end of the routine, Blue Eagle the King). The second the players entered the court, the band hit the 8-beat (there being no "Go Ateneo" beat at the time). And as the players began to warm up, the opposing gallery was assailed by a wall of vocal energy which chanted Fabilioh (first). Other cheers then followed, like the Artillery Yell.

Dati raw, isang bass drum, isang snare drum. The rest? Boses. At halos mabingi yung kalaban.

True, our brass/hired brass band needs to be louder and more forceful. Composing horn arrangements for "Go Ateneo, One Big Fight" aka Kwatro seems like very good idea. But, as some of you know, the Blue Babble Band has been going through a pretty difficult stage this year. To go way beyond the gallery playing would call for more time, dedication, talent and stability. Although we were able to pull out two drumline performances, this was probably mainly brought about the will to show everyone that we are still at it. Venturing too fast into further improving the brass band section would really take a lot. Most of your suggestions here are pretty good. But, I think that we should just take it step by step. comm's suggestion on hiring a stronger, more forceful brass band, I would say, would be a great first step.

Regarding our uniforms, they just came in very late. And, they were not really of good make and quality. I have no idea what happend. We have a pretty good sponsor in Lee Pipes. I just hope that if they still are our sponsors next year, matters on uniforms should be no problem.

Why dont we use the One Big Fight cheer as much anymore? Captain's decision. Battalion captain that is.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions guys. I am in no real position to take these comments to a higher level really. I just hope that in some way, these reach the higher authorities.

I started this thread in July and, needless to say, was greatly disappointed that no one took interest in the topic for 6 months except for one PM. It made me conclude that there is no real appreciation by many Ateneans (or maybe to be fair, current active forum members who may be too young to have experienced the popularity of brass band music during the 70s when La Salle, Letran and San Beda competed actively with Ateneo with great pump-up pieces). Thanks to you guys, I'm getting more optimistic.

I'm consolidating opinions/comments/sharings from everyone on why the revival attempts in the past five years have not worked and what your recommended action plans are. You can talk about short term, medium term and long term strategies. Pls also comment about a recommended organizational structure. I've heard about this Babble vs Brass Band conflict for some time.

Pls PM me or post here on or before Sunday night as I have a meeting on this on Monday. Would be great if you could invite everyone involved with the brass band in the glorious past as well as during the revival and band-aid years for first-hand observations.

And oh yes, relative to I think AB's comment, the team's entry into the court from their dugout was always preceded by a Blue Eagle spelling cheer. And after the shout of the last word "King!", the brass band would automatically erupt with the memorable intro to Fly High as the team ran into the court to do their lay up warm ups. Thus during those times, everyone associated doing practice layups with the Blue Eagle the King song. And yes, grade school students' assignment notebook (now called P.A.L.) still has the Blue Eagle the King song printed at the back. I don't know if they sing it actively in school though as we used to.

Thanks.

Mr. true.blue, sir.

The younger ones like me will not let this thread fade away until such time that we are able to jumpstart the revival of a great Ateneo tradition.

Miggzs, what brings about the Captain's decision in not cheering the One Big Fight as much anymore? You can actually raise this to a higher level, perhaps start talking to your captain or coach regarding this. Just a suggestion. I am sure this has reached whoever is up there. True.blue is one of our more active alums, and I have personally emailed this thread's link and posts to the Alumni Affairs Director. Just keep on pounding in the next games! One big fight to you and your comrades!

hahaha HIGH in cholesterol/triglisoride and uric acid siguro.

back to topic

Blooded's suggestion of having the hired band also train the Babble Brass Band is a great idea. Hopefully as the program grows the mix of hired band and Babble Band in our Brass Section would even out.

Pooty Tang, maybe you and some of your former bandmates can help in jumpstarting this project. We can ask Mr. Dalandan to set you up with True.Blue.

Miggzs should be included. In 3 years, he could be the Babble captain.

comm, I think this was already mentioned in the Babble thread. The Battalion captain calls the shots for what to cheer. From what I noticed, OBF is usually called when we have a player down, we're losing by a considerable margin, we're losing during crunch time or there's a tussle on the court .

It's not that easy talking about this topic with the coaches or the captains. Like I said, for some time we were against the fact that someone hired a brass band during the games.



Where in the world did that come from haha

Miggzs, you guys did well again in yesterday's football game. Since we do not have horns and such, you guys resorted to using human voice to set the tune/melody of the beats. Hyukhyukhyukhyuk!!! Galing nga.

I like the "Animo Ateneo" beat and cheer you guys played yesterday. A nice segue for the "Go Ateneo" beat and cheer. It will be better with brass accompaniment.

hahahaha, lumalabas talaga ang kalokohan/creative side namin kapag football games.

The Animo Ateneo beat we did was actually made by the HS Babble some six years ago. The college Babble rarely plays this beat but back in the high school, it remains a staple during games. Kapag masyadong nagamit na yung normal Go Ateneo, that's what's played. The orginal words to it was something like "Go, go Ateneo!" One of us just thought of changing it to "Animo Ateneo!" Also, we were trying to insert words into the Manson beat. At this rate, we'll probably have a solid new cheer next basketball season

(I think this is out of topic. haha )

Let us wait na lang for updates on the Brass Band issue.

Meanwhile, you guys continue developing those beats. Use it as often in the 2nd semester sports, so come UAAP MBB time on July 8, you will unleash a better Ateneo 6th Man!

Nice to hear you guys are reviving the Animo Ateneo. Lets reclaim our cheer from the suspended people. Words added to the manson beat will be awesome im sure. The brass band would be a good complement to that new animo ateneo cheer just to give it some more spice!

Animo Blue
Animo White
Animo Ateneo!

This is my first post as I've just registered as a member. I just want to share with you guys my fond memories of the Ateneo band. Since I started watching the UAAP basketball games again about six years ago, I've been wishing that the horn section be revived and be an integral part of the BBB as it was in the past. As a kid, my dad often took me and my brothers (all Ateneans all the way from prep) to the NCAA basketball games which were often held at the Loyola Center and usually sat at the bleachers where I had the great experience of watching and listening to our band conducted by the late great Colonel Campaña. I was so impressed that I told myself that one day I would join this band and be a snare drum player. To me, cheering and singing was half the fun of going to the games.

I was (for one year) in the 70's with the AHS band under Col. Campaña as a trainee. I never got the chance to play though during the games since I didn't own a snare drum and there were limited drums for the more seasoned and senior members. My interest in playing the drums also waned as I preferred a melodic instrument so I eventually quit. Anyway, we had an almost complete group then -- a couple of trombones, a tuba, 2-3 saxophones, 2-3 trumpets, glockenspiel, 2-3 toms, 2-3 snares, 2 bass drums and cymbals. I'm not sure if we had clarinets as well. The guys in that batch I recall were Mr. Dalandan's late brother (Rolly?) and his batchmates -- a Reyes, a Caluag, an Achacoso, a Gaddi (sorry i forget all their first names). Coincidentally, some of them were also members of the HS track & field team which in my mind was a cool sport to be in. Everyone was an Atenean -- no outsiders, no hired session musicians. Once or twice a week, we had 2-3 hr rehearsals as this was our chosen extra-curricular activity.

I don't recall the titles of the pieces we played but to this day I can still hum them. We used to practice what I think was called X -- a piece that incorporated 3 "One big fight" cheers within the tune, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, and of course Fly High, Hail Ateneo Hail, and Down from the Hill. Fly High was always played as soons as our team walked into the court. All these pieces were very memorable that as a kid I used to hum them after the games. Sadly, today none of these pieces are played at all except for the alma matersong that's sung at the end of the game. (Yes the hired band tried to play them in the last season but were too weak so there was no impact.) Unfortunately, my son and the other kids don't know these tunes. Younger Ateneo alumni are missing out on what could be small but memorable parts about their schooldays.

Before in the grade school, we also had the Drum and Bugle Corps that produced members of the HS Band in the secondary level (which also played during ROTC/CAT drills and parades). It is important to have this club in the elementary level when aspiring young kids are interested in learning to play brass or woodwind as well as percussion instruments. By the time they reach high school, hopefully they would have matured in their playing and finally come out as great musicians by the time they reach college. Unfortunately, today most kids are stuck playing just the guitar, perhaps because it's a cheaper instrument that's also polyphonic. I wish the grade school would realize this and give kids exposure to other instruments.

Anyway, for now and for a faster solution, there's no choice but to hire some brass band. But they have to be integrated into the BBB to play as one unit for obvious reasons. Separating them into two sections in the gallery will never work because they must play as one unit, reacting to events in the game.

--------------------------

By the way, just an observation -- the cheer "Get that ball!" was also done at a faster and more infectiuous tempo. It had more oomph, more punch than today's version that sounds -- pardon me for this -- wimpy. Once, I asked my son's moderator in the grade school BBB why this was so. And he said it was tiring and difficult to play it as it was then. What??? If this is the real reason, then indeed they are being wimpy. Also the "one Big Fight" cheer of today sounds too slow, weak and too "laid-back". Kulang sa tapang.

I agree, Sir. We need more "punch" in cheering "Get that ball" and "One big fight". What's even sadder is that the current captain of the Babble Battalion does not even use "One big fight" oftenly---and even none in some games.

I agree, Sir. We need more "punch" in cheering "Get that ball" and "One big fight". What's even sadder is that the current captain of the Babble Battalion does not even use "One big fight" oftenly---and even none in some games.
[/quote]


Perhaps I can talk to him personally? What's his name?

Sir, I think you'd be relieved to hear that the current Babble captain is soon graduating. I think we should let him. After all, he was only seen in the Football games, once. What a captain?! The next person in line to be the captain might be the one who can take the Babble back to its old glory.

The revival of the Brass Band should be on top of the objectives for next year.

Well let's sit tight and pray this revival and re-arrangement of some cheers will be addressed for next season. Thanks for your response to my post.

Last Friday's bonfire for the Blue Booters' hat trick showed the younger Ateneo community how beautiful and supplemental a brass band is to our songs and cheers.

We hope that with the efforts of true.blue et al, we shall see the rise of the Ateneo Brass Band as Season 69 begins.

I was at the cheer rally today and guess what-- there was a brass band! Does anyone know if the band will be there for good or if it was just for the cheer rally?

It's part of the program being discussed with all levels of the university since March. It consists of a long term plan to revive the brass band by developing brass players in the GS, HS, and Coll. But it has to start with a short-medium plan of general awareness and promotion of Ateneo traditional brass tunes, starting with using a for-hire non-Ateneo student band in the cheer rally, in selected games, and special events, while homegrown students train and transition in. The number of events the for-hire band can perform in depends on funding, which is still being worked out.

We have some of our own trumpeteers on board. Please encourage more students to join!

Yeah! I was at the Cheer Rally yesterday afternoon. When I saw the brass band emerge from the dugouts, I had an adrenaline rush. It was truly something different. And yes, it complements the sound of our babble band mainstays.

Sana lang Ateneo students yung brass band members!