Out of Step

If you keep up at all with the college marching band world, or college athletics, or life, you may have read The News. The Hammer Drop Heard Round The World. The Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band (LSJUMB, or the “Stanford Band”) has, for the moment, been silenced. Not only silenced, but forbidden from participating in any Band activities, using Band property, being The Band. According to a statement from the university, the band was placed under an alcohol suspension and travel ban, among other requirements, after a joint investigation by the Stanford’s Organization Conduct Board and Title IX Office found that in a series of events between 2012 and 2015, the band had violated university policies regarding alcohol, controlled substances, hazing and/or sexual harassment. According to Deborah Golder, associate vice provost and dean of Residential Education, the university’s intention was that the reforms would continue progress made by band leadership to “ensure a safe and harassment-free environment while honoring the band’s traditions and its unique, irreverent identity” and that the band would “use this outcome as a positive platform for further strengthening its culture and ensuring the band’s vibrancy and good stewardship in the years ahead.” Despite these bans, the band was found responsible for new policy violations, as well as failure to complete the required reforms. In their review of the situation, a campus Organization Conduct Board (OCB) panel noted “a systemic cultural problem” within the band that would not be resolved under the organization’s current structure or without greater consequences: “We do not feel that the current leadership or membership is capable of creating the necessary cultural change. ...We feel there is a total lack of accountability and responsibility in the current organization,” the panel wrote.

The OCB panel recommended a complete suspension of all Band activities and loss of its recognition as a registered student organization through the end of the 2017-18 academic year. While Vice Provost for Student Affairs Greg Boardman agreed with the panel’s findings, he was concerned that the band would be unable to revive itself after a nearly two-year hiatus and called for a suspension of all Band activities, effective immediately through the spring quarter of 2017, as well as new steps to address the structure and culture of the band. This would include the creation of a committee will be convened to develop a new model for the Band, with direct oversight by a professional music director, as well as the solicitation of input from stakeholders including Band members and alumni. When the news came out, social media was blown up with current and former bandos from all walks of life offering their take on the situation. Some were relieved that the decision was made and only questioned why something hadn’t been done sooner. Others blasted the band’s quirky, irreverent style, and were convinced that a drum-corps style makeover was exactly what the Band needed to stop being an embarrassment to the University. Still others, including many from more traditional marching backgrounds, defended the Band, insisting that the group brings an element of fun and exuberance to their performances, as well as audience engagement that isn’t always seen with other bands. I was a five-year member of the University of Oregon marching band, and on a couple of occasions I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the dervish of red, white and metal that is the Stanford Band. As I stood in the concert arc during a Battle of the Bands, I was inspired by the sheer fun and energy the Stanford Band brought to their performance. Did watching the band throw their instruments in the air make me cringe and clutch my euphonium a little tighter? Yes. Are they irreverent? Most definitely, but I would argue that any student organization whose primary purpose is entertainment needs a healthy dose of irreverence to stay relevant. Part of the Stanford Band’s MO is lampooning current events, and although many of these efforts could be delicately described as ”low blows” the wit and exuberance of drill writers, announcers and band members alike showcased the collective intelligence of a group that, let’s face it – did get into Stanford. That fact alone is something to respect and a good reason not to demonize the whole group on a personal level. Calling the band “silly” or “undisciplined” is one thing. Calling the members “stupid” or “ignorant” is another. I think the Band’s leadership is long past due for an overhaul. However, it’s not as simple as bringing in a drill sergeant to whip the band into shape. The goal is not to kill the Tree entirely, but instead to prune it into something that the members, the students, the fans and the University can all be proud of. Based on the success of the OMB, and with deference to the fact that the Stanford Band has both commonalities with and differences from the former, I’ve developed my take on how a professional director can work with the student leadership of the Band (who, let’s face it, is TRYING. Enacting positive change within such a large group, particularly one made up of your peers who may or may not already be drunk at rehearsal, is strikingly similar to herding cats.

Every year at the OMB leadership retreat and then numerous times throughout the year, we emphasized the difference between "student-led" and "student-run." In a student-led band, there is a director that oversees the entire organization, but there is also a governing council that serves as a liaison between the band staff and the band members, as well as between the band and the student government, if the band is funded by student dollars. There are also drum majors and section leaders who have a great deal of oversight over their respective domains, and are respected as such.

In a student-run band, of which Stanford appears to be the only example, there don't appear to be any other examples of, there is no director and it's basically anarchy. And as evidenced by this development, that doesn't work well. I think a band director's role is to anchor the organization without hindering the students' ability to lead their peers. In addition to providing incredible growth and learning opportunities for future leaders, it also continues to give the members a sense of ownership over their organization, and hopefully to foster a sense of pride and respect for the special role they play.

Take alcohol for instance. Anyone who has been in college will tell you that telling 18-22-year-olds what they can and can’t do is difficult and unenviable, but necessary if your organization is, as the band is, representing the University in front of a national audience. Similarly, telling college students they can't drink at all is an exercise in futility. However, creating a policy, ideally with the input and support of student leadership, where band members cannot be seen drinking or drunk/high past the point of no return during “on time” is completely reasonable and has a better chance of being enforced. If there are known boundaries and consequences, students are more likely to find the acceptable ground between fun and out of control.

For those who are unfamiliar with the terms “on time” and “off time,” here’s a quick explanation. "On time” is defined as any official Band function including but not limited to: rehearsals, games, events, rallies, end of season event, i.e. anywhere the band is together, as a group, representing the university as the LSUJMB. "Off time" would include things like parties, "sectional" events, class, whatever. Those who have day jobs may understand this analogy. You wouldn't bring a keg into work and tap it in the middle of the afternoon, but there's nothing wrong with getting together with your work buddies in the evening or on the weekend, even getting drunk off your ass and making bad decisions, provided it does not affect your ability to function at your job. Yes, you and your coworkers are still employees of the organization, but you're not officially representing the company during your off time. It's a tricky line, and one where it's best to err on the side of good behavior. A band director can help by setting guidelines where drinking/drug use is absolutely not okay (rehearsal, the game, the pep rally, the bar mitzvah, etc) and then from there stepping back and allowing adults to be adults.