Stanford Band Suspended for Restructuring

The notorious Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band will undergo a complete cultural and organizational restructuring, following a year’s suspension.

After violating an alcohol and travel band previously imposed by the university, Vice Provost Greg Boardman informed the band leadership via a letter that all band activities will be suspended until Spring 2017. During the suspension, a joint committee of student affairs and athletics will decide how to restructure the band.

The famously student-led organization will now be overseen by a professional music director with direct university oversight. The university says it hopes to maintain the band’s “irreverence and exuberance.”

The band may petition the provost for reconsideration of the sanctions. A number of students and alumni have already started petitions, letter-writing campaigns, and op-ed pieces.

Read the full story on Stanford’s official news service.

About author

Elizabeth Geli

Elizabeth Geli is the assistant editor of Halftime Magazine and a journalist/communications professional in Southern California. Her 11 years at the University of Southern California (USC) Trojan Marching Band included time as a flute player, graduate teaching assistant, and student advocate. She holds a bachelor's degree in Print Journalism and master's degree in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) from USC.

A photo of the Sycamore Marching Band.

Sycamore High School

Developing a family culture in beginning band leads to a continuity of commitment into the future. For the past eight years, Tim Graulty has served ...