Events

An Update on the Marching Band

The Football Season
First, a huge thank you to everyone who has expressed support for the Marching Band in its continuing conflict with Columbia, which started with significant changes to the traditional Orgo Night performance and now has led to the Band being locked out the football season.

We hope you’ll continue to express your support, in a calm and courteous way. For the moment, there’s nothing new to report, but we’re inching forward. And when there’s news, we’ll let you know promptly.

Meantime, the Marching Band began the season last Saturday by doing its halftime show a few hours early and half a dozen miles to the south: They performed on Low Plaza in the morning, then went to Baker Field to sit in the stands, in uniform but without instruments. The Staten Island Technical High School Band took on the Band’s musical role.

Giving Day
As you may know, Columbia Giving Day is coming up later in October. As we continue our work to support the Band, we hope you’ll consider directing your contributions our way, particularly because about 85% of the Band’s yearly operating budget has been cut.

The Columbia University Band Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3). We currently have a $5,000 matching challenge from a Band alum, which means your gift (up to that limit) will be worth double. If you work for a company that matches donations, that’s another opportunity. If you choose to contribute to CUBAA, please let Columbia know why.

Homecoming
We promised Band alumni free seats to the Homecoming game on October 19; more than 100 of you signed up. We and the Band will be at the stadium as usual, but at this point it looks as though we won’t be able to come through with those comps. More to come on our plans for the day.

Facebook
Facebookers who want to be a part of the conversation on Band-related topics, can join our private Facebook group here.

We are doing what we can. We hope you’ll do the same. Stay tuned.

Meet up with fellow former Columbia band members at Homecoming 2018 vs Dartmouth! This is a great time to get an update on recent developments with the marching band and learn how you can support current students.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm
We have a table reserved for the lunch but you will need to purchase tickets.

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hang out with alumni and the band in the stands! Bring your instrument and join CUMB on the field for pre-game and halftime.
If you need game tickets, send an email to columbia.band.alumni@gmail.com
Kickoff is at 1:30 pm.

Columbia Reunion 2018 is almost here. But whether or not you’re in a Reunion class (the 3s and the 8s), you’re invited to join alumni of Columbia’s Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band as we get together on campus. You don’t have to register; just show up. We’d love to see you.

When: Saturday, June 2
Where: Main floor lounge, Wallach (neé Livingston) Hall (between Hartley and John Jay)
What time: 2 to 5 pm. (In fact, we’ll be there all day, 9 to 6, if you just want a place to rest, recharge yourself and your phone, and hang out with others of the Band/Ensemble persuasion.)
Cost: Absolutely nothing (light refreshments included)
Sponsored by: Paul Bua, CC ’93 (former drum major) and CUBAA

* Note: Reunion literature lists an official “Performing Arts Groups Reception” in Lerner Hall. That’s mainly for alumni singers; ours is for instrumentalists.

Making a Gift?
If you are a member of a reunion class, you can expect to be unsubtly solicited for a donation. Steel yourself. Perhaps you wish to join alumni who are protesting the eviction of the traditional Orgo Night celebration from Butler Library by withholding donations to Columbia until a resolution is achieved. In the meantime, you can always donate to us (http://columbiabandalumni.org/support/), to help keep the Band Alumni Association thriving; we’re a 501(c)(3). We’ll be thrilled.

Hope to see you on June 2.