Note: Thoughts expressed in the columns and letters of the opinions section are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of the CW editorial staff.

I will attempt to write a somewhat classy response to Dave Folk’s opinion article.

Apparently, the reason they call it an opinion article is because you don’t have to research your facts to get it printed. Ohio State and Texas do their “recognizable” formations as part of their pregame show. In case you forgot, this was the part of the Million Dollar Band’s performance that you said was “awesome.” Those schools’ halftime shows are roughly the same as the Million Dollar Band’s. Tennessee’s band does the same show for halftime every year (their famous Circle Drill). To me, however, performing the same mindless task every year seems a little boring. Would you enjoy that more?

The fact is your article could be slightly edited to remove specifics and be talking about any marching band in the country (assuming the person was taking your anti-music and art point of view). Omitting high schools and Division II football schools, you’re telling me that nearly 120 marching band programs got it wrong?

Your abundance of drug related descriptors is a little odd. Could this be why you can’t recognize the formations? This may have also contributed to the fact that you think the band from the movie “Drumline” is “the best collegiate band.” You should go to the upper deck and take a look at one of the shows. There are lines. There are curves. And they make perfect sense to anyone that has eyes (provided they are viewing said formations at the correct angle). In my opinion, there is nowhere in the lower deck that is suited for watching a halftime show because there are 400 people crammed on a football field. It might very well look like what you described from field level. Why not try just listening for a change? There is music as well. If you don’t like the way it looks, just close your eyes.

Basket Case is normally played between the 3rd and 4th quarters of the games. This has been done since 1997 with a brief sabbatical in 2006. Why was it brought back? A student wrote an opinion article to The Crimson White asking for the band to play it again. I guess while you were still in high school in 2006 (your article mentioned that you were currently a senior), the students at the University were more interested in music, art and tradition than bad-mouthing the hard work of fellow students and colleagues.

The Million Dollar Band is a tightly-knit group of students that shares a common bond: their enjoyment of music.  A week and a half before school starts, these students come to Tuscaloosa and report to band camp. With three sessions a day, they have met for roughly 60 hours of rehearsal. For the duration of the entire fall semester, they have practice for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. On game days, they wake up for a rehearsal that starts no later than 9 a.m. After a two hour rehearsal and a lunch break, they proceed to the Quad and “begin” their day. For nearly six hours every game day, they are outside in the 95-degree weather in polyester uniforms.

Maybe you should work on appreciating hard work and dedication rather than submitting an uninformed article disrespecting the largest student organization on campus. Do you realize your article will be read by all of the people who help the band, the supporters of the band (including, but not limited to Coach Saban and his wife Terry, who have personally delivered their thanks for everything the band does) and the more than 30,000 students on campus?

After six years of marching band experience (four in high school, two in college), I can tell you that it is hard work. I am no longer able to be in the band because of time commitments, but I would still do it if could. The MDB is a fine organization and is appreciated and enjoyed by many, many people. I’m sure they will continue to produce quality halftime shows for years to come.

In short, I guess people are entitled to their opinions. Yours just happens to be wrong.

Nicholas Boyd is a fifth-year senior majoring in jazz studies and saxophone performance.