The Band is Saved!

On October 18, Columbia University announced that the Columbia University Marching Band will continue to exist and will once again be allowed to play at the school’s football games.

Read the Announcement

What happened?

From time to time over its 115-year history, the Columbia University Marching Band has had run-ins with the school’s administration. One highly publicized recent issue: Orgo Night, the Band’s long-running and always envelope-pushing series of semi-annual midnight performances in Butler Library. In 2016 the University announced that the Band would no longer be allowed to play inside the building. Now, administrators have gone all the way, defunding the Marching Band and canceling the group’s appearances at football games — at least for the season.

Stand with the Band!

In the News

Catch up on coverage of developing events

New York Times: October 1, 2019
Columbia Silences its Marching Band

Forbes: October 6, 2019
Editor’s Pick: Hey, Columbia: End The Band Ban

Columbia Spectator: October 6, 2019
Opinion: Banding Together

Columbia Spectator: October 4, 2019
Marching band to continue to travel to away games after raising $7K of travel funds in just two days

Deadspin: September 25, 2019
Columbia University Wipes Out Its Delightfully Chaotic Marching Band For Bullcrap Reasons

Columbia Spectator: October 7, 2019
Marching band reaches fundraising goal of $25,000 in 5 days

Watch

WCBS Coverage of our story, September 27, 2019

After a stunning Lion football victory, the Band and the team demonstrate what Columbia spirit is all about. That’s been the Band’s gift to Columbia since 1904.
Save the Banned Band

The CUMB managing board, with the Columbia University Band Alumni Association, have been trying to engage the administration in talks aimed at a reasonable long-term resolution so that the Band can go back to its role of bringing spirit, merriment and exam-time stress reduction to the Columbia community. It’s been quite a struggle, to which the support of the Columbia community brings enormous value.

The Marching Band thanks you, the Columbia community thanks you, and we thank you.

Hear us roar

Read the comments of Columbia alumni, parents, students and others. They’re very telling, and touching. We hope Columbia administrators are reading them too.

CUMB is one of my favorite memories of attending Columbia. Hands down the best part of any football game.
During my time at Columbia, in the Law School, the “marching” band was hilarious and absolutely the only reason it was worth going to football games. It saddens me that the University is trying to squash them now.
The CU Band is an important part of the school’s history and culture.
Lots of high school seniors will cross @Columbia off their list. No marching band?!?! All they do is bring joy and fun and music.
CONGRATULATIONS COLUMBIA, YOU WIN THE WAR ON FUN.
As a parent of a Columbia student, I find this offensive. The fact that a university would take away something that allows students to feel part of the school is sad. Every student should have an avenue to fit in and feel that they belong. Shame on you Columbia.
Douche move, Columbia.
G(tb)²