News

Columbia band to resume playing at Athletics events

University President Lee C. Bollinger: “The Columbia University Marching Band has been a University tradition for over 100 years.  It is my strong hope that this tradition continues for the next 100 years and beyond.  I am, therefore, very pleased to say that over the past two weeks Dean Jim Valentini, Athletic Director Peter Pilling, and representatives of the band have met, resolved the issues that needed attending to, and found a way forward that preserves the band and that tradition.  The Columbia University Marching Band will again be playing at this Homecoming Weekend.”

Cameron Danesh-Pajou, manager of the Columbia University Marching Band: “The establishment of this new partnership between Columbia Athletics and the Columbia University Marching Band presents an exciting opportunity for all parties in what has been over a century of collaboration. Through upholding the standards integral for a positive game day atmosphere, the Band will once again be able to continue its tradition of supporting Columbia Athletics, the student body, and the Columbia community at large.”

Samantha Rowan, president of the Columbia University Band Alumni Association: “We’re very excited to work with the Marching Band and the Athletics department to get the band performing again. We all understand that it’s important for the band to improve its musicality and maintain its traditional satirical approach while also being respectful in its words and actions. Over the long-term, we’re hopeful that the Marching Band will flourish and continue to support the football team, the men’s and women’s basketball teams and other Columbia sports programs for many years.”

The reorganized band will be under the supervision of Columbia Athletics and subject to a code of conduct, just as is the case for Columbia’s teams and affiliated groups.  Columbia College will guide the band on traditions outside of athletic contests that comply with this new arrangement.

A very big thank-you to everyone who has stepped up to the plate with donations since the administration informed the Marching Band that starting next year it was pulling more than half its operating budget, already lowest in the Ivy League.

Gifts so far have ranged from $25 to four-figure sums. We truly appreciate them all, because each one represents a Columbian who appreciates the Band’s past and believes in its future.

Most exciting, a former Band member has just promised $5,000 for each of the next two years as a one-to-one matching challenge. So if you join our donors, your gift up to that limit will be worth double. We hope you’ll consider joining the drive, either via credit card or PayPal or by mailing a check to the address below.

Don’t forget, we’re a 501(c)(3), and we’ll happily send you a tax letter.

Also, if you work for a company that matches employees’ charitable contributions, please check to see if yours to CUBAA would be eligible. Having your company support the Cleverest Band in the World sounds like a great idea!

And one more thing on the support front: The administration’s recent treatment of the Band–attacking Orgo Night and slashing the budget–has upset some alumni who’ve been intending a place for Columbia in their wills. We know of one alum who canceled a planned gift and another who has told the deans that his substantial bequest, already written, will be eliminated if conflicts between the deans and the Band aren’t resolved.

For more than 100 years, the Marching Band has contributed greatly to the University community. Band alumni are proud to help their successors, but CUBAA believes the group’s regular financial support should come largely from Columbia’s pocket, as it always has, not from alumni. We hope the administration will come to recognize that its harsh treatment is sadly backfiring and damaging relations with both students and alumni.

Facebookers who want to join or observe the conversation on the conflict, and on other Band-related topics, can join our private Facebook group here.

We wish we could report some more peaceful news as the calendar year draws to a close, but we can all find satisfaction in the support you continue to show.