University of Virginia Library

Misconception

In your editorial, "Beyond Stars
And Bars," you state that the Pep
Band was instructed to play
"Dixie" no more. This is a
commonly held misconception, but
it is not true. The Student Council
"requested" that "Dixie" not be
played, but it left the actual
decision up to the Pep Band.

The Administration and the
Athletic Department both declined
to take an official stand, feeling
that the decision should be made
by the band. Thus, the Pep Band
discontinued playing "Dixie" by a
vote of its own membership in
November of 1969. This decision
was reinforced by a new vote in
November of 1970, and has been in
effect ever since.