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So, yeah...this is a bit Off-topic, but still important (and interesting, IMO)...

I'm friends with Dr. Chris Nichter who is the Director of the Bearcat Bands. (No, I don't want to get into arguing music selections...) On his FaceBook page, he has been sharing short clips of the Bearcat (Marching) Band playing Fight Songs from local, Cincinnati area High Schools, along with a brief interview of band members who are alumni of those schools. This strikes me as a great way to continue and develop relationships with local High Schools so that students are favorably disposed to the University of Cincinnati.

Now, I get it...Dr. Nichter is primarily recruiting musicians. But having UC on good terms with the local High Schools has to help with athletic recruiting as well...especially in a post-Covid world where kids may be thinking of "staying closer to home." One of the things that, I think, has hurt UC is the seeming indifference between the City of Cincinnati and the University. I think any ways that the University can bridge that indifference from their side needs to be applauded.

I dunno... Are there other examples of UC reaching out and celebrating local high schools and/or the City that we ought to be encouraging? I know over the years we have griped about local coaches who are more intent on sending their kids OUT of the area than encouraging them to stay and play for UC, I also remember when we hired Kerry Combs and how that opened some doors for UC in the local area. Anything that UC is doing to get into the local conversation is good, in my book.

(09-21-2020 02:00 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  So, yeah...this is a bit Off-topic, but still important (and interesting, IMO)...

I'm friends with Dr. Chris Nichter who is the Director of the Bearcat Bands. (No, I don't want to get into arguing music selections...) On his FaceBook page, he has been sharing short clips of the Bearcat (Marching) Band playing Fight Songs from local, Cincinnati area High Schools, along with a brief interview of band members who are alumni of those schools. This strikes me as a great way to continue and develop relationships with local High Schools so that students are favorably disposed to the University of Cincinnati.

Now, I get it...Dr. Nichter is primarily recruiting musicians. But having UC on good terms with the local High Schools has to help with athletic recruiting as well...especially in a post-Covid world where kids may be thinking of "staying closer to home." One of the things that, I think, has hurt UC is the seeming indifference between the City of Cincinnati and the University. I think any ways that the University can bridge that indifference from their side needs to be applauded.

I dunno... Are there other examples of UC reaching out and celebrating local high schools and/or the City that we ought to be encouraging? I know over the years we have griped about local coaches who are more intent on sending their kids OUT of the area than encouraging them to stay and play for UC, I also remember when we hired Kerry Combs and how that opened some doors for UC in the local area. Anything that UC is doing to get into the local conversation is good, in my book.

I did not think he had a Doctorate? I do not care that much as I was so tired of Dr. Terren L. Frenz's stale music and routines. Doctorate or not Nichter is a big improvement.

(09-21-2020 02:00 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  So, yeah...this is a bit Off-topic, but still important (and interesting, IMO)...

I'm friends with Dr. Chris Nichter who is the Director of the Bearcat Bands. (No, I don't want to get into arguing music selections...) On his FaceBook page, he has been sharing short clips of the Bearcat (Marching) Band playing Fight Songs from local, Cincinnati area High Schools, along with a brief interview of band members who are alumni of those schools. This strikes me as a great way to continue and develop relationships with local High Schools so that students are favorably disposed to the University of Cincinnati.

Now, I get it...Dr. Nichter is primarily recruiting musicians. But having UC on good terms with the local High Schools has to help with athletic recruiting as well...especially in a post-Covid world where kids may be thinking of "staying closer to home." One of the things that, I think, has hurt UC is the seeming indifference between the City of Cincinnati and the University. I think any ways that the University can bridge that indifference from their side needs to be applauded.

I dunno... Are there other examples of UC reaching out and celebrating local high schools and/or the City that we ought to be encouraging? I know over the years we have griped about local coaches who are more intent on sending their kids OUT of the area than encouraging them to stay and play for UC, I also remember when we hired Kerry Combs and how that opened some doors for UC in the local area. Anything that UC is doing to get into the local conversation is good, in my book.

Interesting, I had no idea this was going on. And I agree, any connection UC makes locally is an excellent way to build bridges to the community.

Another example that has gone on for years is CCM's Feast of Carols each December. Local high school choirs/select ensembles from around Greater Cincinnati are invited to join UC choral groups and the CCM Orchestra for the performances, making this a community-wide event. Typically, it's a sold out weekend.

A great showcase for CCM, but many gifted local musicians will choose to attend UC as math, engineering or business majors. This gets them on campus and I think the high schoolers who participate are blown away by CCM musicians and facilities when they perform that weekend.

He is going to have to recruit musicians. Much of the UC band in the past was made up of engineering majors who did band as sort of a hobby. They don't have the spare time available to put in the type of work the new band director wants.

That can mean a better band, but they will have to find the musicians from a different source than usual.

UC should look into what it's doing with McNicholas. Technically McNick is in the city limits, but it's literally on the border of the city and most of the students are from Anderson Township or Clermont County. Even some from Brown County.

McNick is basically a private suburban Catholic school, so it should send lots of kids to Xavier and Miami. And it does, but it also sends a lot to UC, including a lot of their top students.

All but 1 FBS football player to come out of McNick in the past 20 years has gone to UC (including 1 NFL player). I think only 4-5 were scholarship players, and the rest were all walk-ons. Why are they choosing UC instead of Miami or Ohio U. or Boston College?

UC is doing something right at McNick, and they need to figure out what it is and replicate it elsewhere.