A recent series of allegations of misconduct by college marching bands across the country has raised questions about the culture and practices the groups adopt.
In several instances, university officials have responded by suspending the bands criticizing the groups' behavior.
The marching band at the University of Wisconsin, Madison also landed a suspension on Oct. 3 amid allegations of misconduct, including inappropriate use of alcohol, serious hazing and sexualized behavior.
Such misconduct is part of a "counter-culture" that "aspires to certain criteria" separate from the goals of the organization, said Michael Leckrone, director of the marching band. The suspension was recently lifted, allowing the group to participate in last Saturday's home football game against Penn State, according to an Oct. 9 press release. The band, however, is still prohibited from traveling.
Reactions to the suspension by band members ranged from "frustration to dismay," Leckrone said. Varying degrees of involvement in the misconduct meant some students "had no awareness" of the complaints.
A review by the Offices of the Dean of Students at UW-Madison confirmed many of the misconduct allegations made against the band, according to the press release. However, that review included allegations of band members being "fondled against their will" was not validated, and Leckrone said there were no instances of sexual harassment.
Leckrone said the band is fairly selective. Nevertheless, he said some band members feel that those auditioning should "qualify in a different way," adding that in this regard, marching bands are similar to sports teams and fraternities.
Leckrone said it was "unfortunate" that misconduct by the "counter-culture" within the organization against the best interests of the group overshadowed the overall positive culture within the band. Members "can't stand by and allow it to happen," he said.
Marching bands at Prairie View A&M University and the University of California, Davis have found themselves in the news on account of their alleged misconduct. (In fact, both bands have a history of allegations of inappropriate behavior.)
At Prairie View A&M University, the "Marching Storm" is temporarily not allowed to perform as a result of allegations of misconduct within the band, according to a Sept. 10 article in the Panther, a student publication at the university. A source told the Panther that the investigation concerning the band includes a claim that one band member was assaulted by other members of the group.
"We're being very cautious about the situation," Victor Hebert, head of the department of music and drama at Prairie View, told the Panther. The marching band's director did not respond to requests for comment.
At the University of California, Davis, band director Tom Slabaugh is on stress leave after filing a sexual harassment complaint with the university in May, according to an Oct. 6 article in the San Francisco Chronicle. In a memo to university officials, Slabaugh describes "ridiculous, disturbing and offensive" examples of inappropriate behavior by members of the "Cal Aggie" marching band. Band members stripping to their underwear during a van trip to a football game, urinating in a dormitory elevator and performing lap dances during practice are some of the instances described in Slabaugh's memo, according to the article.
Slabaugh's complaints are currently being reviewed by the university. In the meantime, the band is continuing to play at football games and other events.
Matthew McGarrell, faculty adviser for the Brown Band and senior lecturer in music, said that there have been prior accusations of misconduct within the Brown Band but that he couldn't comment on such behavior, calling it "ancient history." McGarrell said "the culture of the (Brown Band) reflects the culture of the campus."
Describing the band as an "enthusiastic, happy group," McGarrell added that the completely student-run band at Brown has a "special dynamic" that changes completely every four years with the addition of new members.
Brown, along all other Ivy League schools excluding Cornell, has a scatter band. "Running out on the field, making the script very much part of the show," and displaying an "image of enjoyment" are part of the "special approach" employed by the band, McGarrell said.
Student conductor Sarah Cocuzzo '10 said the band is "almost a fraternity that doesn't live together," with specific traditions and "rites" that members go through. Describing the culture of the band, Cocuzzo said "core people tend to take on leadership positions" and even with the relatively large group of 60 members, "everyone knows everyone at the end."
"Having fun is the biggest aspect," she added.
