Drum majors demoted

University administrators superseded the previously administered discipline of Director of Bands James Oliver, EdD, and demoted four of the five Mighty Marching Hornet drum majors after their refusal to comply with wardrobe instructions for a super hero stunt costume.

The incident took place on Sept. 1 when the Marching Hornets traveled to Atlanta, Ga. to participate in the "Battle of the Bands." Oliver had originally suspended the drum majors for two weeks, however, university administrators stepped into the process and handed down a stiffer punishment of demotion.

According to Oliver, the drum majors failed to wear the entire costume, as instructed, which caused immediate and negative reaction from alumni and the public who viewed some of the photos on the internet.

Oliver explains why the administration chose to make the punishment more severe.

"I understand why the administrators chose to demote them, because this is a serious matter," Oliver said. "But I do think a lot of this came when people began talking more about the matter. We, as a band, were trying to put it to rest, but for some reason, people refused to let it go."

Oliver, an alumnus of ASU, has been teaching for 28 years and has served as the band director for eight of those years.

"I have always done my best to provide leadership and guidance for these students," he said. "The entire band was outraged when they heard of the news of the drum majors being demoted, but I just sat them down and explained why the administrators felt they had to do that. So after I put it into terms they could understand, we just simply prayed about it and put the entire situation in God's hands. And in the meantime, we are going to hold on to the faith that carries us everyday."

Oliver believes that the legacy of the band is essential to its existence.

"We are the ambassadors of this university," Oliver said. "We are highly respected, and we don't want that reputation destroyed."

Interim University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Karyn Scissum-Gunn, PhD, spoke with the 320 band members on Sept. 15 to further discuss the university's reasoning for the demotions.

"She was excellent," Oliver said. "The band did a superb job in talking to her as well. I think they really got a lot from each other. It just balanced out really well, and now that we have been given the final decision, we can move on as a band."

Junior music education major and band member Holley Carter believes the skit was a good idea gone bad.

"They are always telling us to be creative and because of that, we are living with the consequences," Carter said. "We think it's unfair. All they were trying to do was bring attention to the band. In that way, more students would enroll here in the fall. They had good intentions, but it just didn't work out the way they planned."

Brandon McCall, one of the five drum majors, is the only one who did not get demoted.

"The only reason he didn't get demoted was because there were no pictures of him on the web," Carter said. "But one thing about this band, if one of us does something, we all are going to do it."

He continued.

"Losing them is really going to hurt the band," Carter said. "This situation is deeper than they will ever know. It's like we do our best to uphold the tradition of this band, but administrators are constantly going against us. Why did President Harris feel the need to call us out at the convocation, when the football team is in more trouble than we are? Just imagine if there was no band at a football game. The way I see it, halftime is game-time."

During the State of the University Address, Interim President William H. Harris, PhD, addressed the situation with the band, and ensured that punishment will be served.

"Dr. Harris did what he felt he needed to do," Oliver said. "He had everyone there and because he knew the pictures were beginning to surface, he felt he needed to say something. And I respect him for that."

Oliver believes he has done everything he needs to do to apologize for the matter.

"I wrote a letter of apology to the administrators, faculty, staff and alumni," he said. "There's nothing else for me to do, I took sole responsibility of what happened and I've moved on. We are now focusing on Magic City Classic, and we're going to have an excellent show."

He continued.

"Our plan is just to keep God in front of us and keep moving forward," Oliver said. "As long as our faith holds us down, we're okay. People may think we have lost, but we are only moving to a higher level. I will just draft some more drum majors, and teach them what they need to know."

Oliver felt the need to clear up rumors that the ASU Honeybees were suspended.

"They are not suspended," he said. "They are back in full force, along with their signature splits and cartwheels. Those beautiful ladies are an intimate part of this band, they have established who they are and who they want to remain. And I am fine with that."

He continued.

"This is not just a band," Oliver said. "This is a great band, and that's how we intend to keep it. I just want to say to all of the fans, if you say you love the band, then keep supporting the band. And we are going to keep giving the people what they like to hear, and that's good music."