University of Virginia Library

Band Alive

Although accurate in its description
of the University's football
band of the early 1940's, your
article of February 18, "Band-With
Fond Memories" was misleading in
its summary dismissal of current
activity in this area; moreover it
was unfair to the nearly 80 students
and members of the faculty enthusiastically
participating in our
program. At present the University
has two bands, with some overlap
in membership; a Pep Band of
between 20 and 30 men which
performs under student direction at
football and basketball games, and
a Concert Band, of which I am
conductor, numbering about 60
players. This group has given two
substantial programs of major
symphonic repertoire in Cabell Hall
during the Fall term and will
present two similar concerts this
Spring. While the marching band is
indeed a thing of the past and
although its uniforms hang (now,
however, in mothballs) in closets in
our rehearsal room, the Concert
Band's present level of musicianship
is such that we have been able to
make a distinct contribution to the
musical life of the University
through our performances. We
invite your readers to observe for
themselves the Concert Band's
current state of health and animation
at either of our forthcoming
concerts.