Roar-ee, deflated, after not being able to find the Columbia University Marching Band

Why is Roar-ee so sad? I’m pretty sure some Columbia University Marching Band could cheer the Columbia Lion up. After all, it cheers up most other people, institutions, and animals (Ivy League universities and all other newsmaking entities excepting). Let’s see how Roar-ee feels after getting some sweet band action:

There we go, much better!

Who else does the band elate? Well, there’s always the band members, who flip over being part of the cleverest band on earth. Check it out:

Sometimes the Columbia University Marching Band is too much to handle.

This band member is psyched. And so are these guys:

Building a pyramid helps the team and the excitement level.

And, of course, the excitement isn’t only limited to sporting events. The band also has a lot of extra-athletic activities, such as Tax Night and Orgo Night, and, of course, their appearances on major T.V. shows like David Letterman and TRL.

But, of course, more important than Roar-ee and even the band itself, is the crowd, for which the Columbia University Marching Band puts their hats on and performs.

Finding even more clever ways to perform.

So if you find yourself down (like Roar-ee), or just need to hear Roar Lions Roar, be sure to check out the Columbia University Marching Band, wherever they may be playing. Be sure to keep tabs on the band’s Facebook page and Twitter feed to get updated information about when they’ll play and where, and be prepared for the general excitement that dancing, pyramids, and trumpet hats can bring.

Here’s the Columbia University Marching Band playing Europe’s “The Final Countdown”, a fitting song for the late tax-filers on Tax Night!

Find out more about the Tax Night tradition by clicking here.

The Columbia University Marching Band puts on its Orgo Night for a packed house at Butler Library. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/4192655241_df21ba1706.jpg

Read more about the event on our Orgo Night page.

While the Columbia University Marching Band usually does a good job with its satire, sometimes its antics create controversy that has gotten the band talked about across the country, and even banned from performing at certain colleges!

Indeed, the Columbia University Marching Band made poignant statements about the Vietnam War, Johnson administration and birth control during the 60’s and 70’s. In the 80’s and 90’s, the band put on performances that featured commentaries on New York City’s anti-homeless policies, burning of the American flag and same-sex marriage.

More recently, the band has seen controversies due to content that has been deemed anti-religious by some, and there is always controversy between Columbia’s fellow ivy-league schools and bands, as rivalries flare and pranks are made.

Through its history, the Columbia University Marching Band has made a name for itself by pushing the envelope, through its performances of socially relevant topics, or just by marching and playing in places that bands usually don’t go (click here). And, when compared to the actions of other scramble bands, one could argue that the group has exercised good taste in its many performances since starting the scramble band tradition in the 1960’s.

While it does sometimes cross the line, the Columbia University Marching Band is quick to retract any content it deems questionable or regrettable, while continuing to enliven the students and citizens of Columbia University, the greater New York city area, and sometimes even other parts of the nation.

The Columbia University Marching Band, lifting spirits since 1904

Dubbed The Cleverest Band in the World (presumably by some pretty clever people) the Columbia University Marching Band has led the way among marching bands, especially in the Ivy League. Being the first band to ditch the more structured, traditional marching band tradition, it has been able to lead in creativity and demonstration of talent.

Evidence of this creativity can be seen in its halftime performances (see below), as well as its use of non-traditional instruments, the “Miscie” (a term meaning miscellaneous. Example of “Miscies” include washboards, spoons, and even electronics).

The band performs at football and at home basketball games, and has been known to play at other venues (click here, and here). It’s also been featured on radio programs, movies, and even T.V. shows.

The Columbia University Marching Band on the Tonight Show

Beside sports and media performances, the band also performs at 11:59pm on the night before Organic Chemistry final exams (Orgo Night) and on Tax Day, April 15th at the 34th St. Post Office in New York.

With all the creativity and performances, the Columbia University Marching Band has not been without its share of controversies (click to see our Wikipedia page). However, with great talent, creative performance, and (usually) good taste, the Columbia University Marching Band has, and will no doubt continue to, entertain all who see it.