To the Editor:
In light of the recent opinion piece dealing with the atmosphere and "mystique" at football games, I would like to make a few things known to the Dartmouth community about one of the groups mentioned that tries its best to make the football games fun and successful: the Dartmouth College Marching Band.
As the columnist suggested, it is important to support fellow students in their efforts to contribute to the school and to represent it well while off campus. Most of the 80 members of the band spend 10 to 15 hours getting ready for any given week's game, including marching practice, music practice and a cold Saturday morning dress rehearsal. For some of the directorate, 20 hours is more like it. In the case of an away game, dedicated time can suck up almost a whole weekend and a significant amount of money. This funding comes not from the athletic department ticket sales as most think, nor does it come from the Hopkins Center. The money that keeps the band functioning comes largely from the members themselves and generous alumni donations.
When the football team looks to the stands, I'm convinced that Hawaii 5-0 is not the only thing they hear, but rather an excited, dedicated and large group of fans that includes alumni and students bent on supporting them in their efforts to clinch the Ivy title this year.
As the columnist pointed out, "yet, there are those who love it." I would like to invite them to the game as he did. I hope they'll enjoy the band's music and entertainment throughout this Homecoming weekend and help us make it a success. It is my hope that not everyone inspired to come to the game this week by "Dartmouth Football: What's Love Got to do With It?" will join him in "boo(ing) the marching band and heckl(ing) the male cheerleaders." We'll all be routing for the Big Green ...
