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Breaking: Columbia University Marching Band To Resume Playing At Athletic Events

On Friday morning, the Columbia University Band Alumni Association sent out a press release announcing that the marching band will continue to play at future athletic events, including the homecoming game this Saturday.

“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,” said President Bollinger in a statement. Following student backlash against the Athletic Department pulling all funding from Columbia University Marching Band (CUMB) and prohibiting them from performing at all athletic events, “Dean Jim Valentini, Athletic Director Peter Pilling, and representatives of the band have met, resolved the issues needed attending to, and found a way forward that preserves the band and that tradition.”

CUMB and the Athletic Department have established a “new partnership,” in which the band will be “under the supervision of Columbia Athletics and subject to a code of conduct,” says Samantha Rowan, the president of the Columbia University Band Alumni Association. Addressing the band’s past controversies—including sneaking into Butler Library to perform Orgo Night despite being prohibited by the Columbia administration—Samantha states that the Alumni Association recognizes “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.”

We will continue to update this article with more information.

The full text of the press release is included below:

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.

CUMB via Bwog Archives