What do we do?
Perhaps it's better to ask: "what don't we do?" The Stanford Band, like rice, can do nearly anything, fit in anywhere, and is pleasing to all palates.
On-campus Hijinks
As a part of Stanford, we rouse the spirit of everyone associated with our great university. Sometimes we're an athletic pep band. Sometimes we're the side show at a University ceremony. Sometimes we just show up in a classroom or fountain. Regardless of where or when, we remind our peers and colleagues that Stanford is, on any given day, pretty much the best place on earth.
Whatever else happens during the week, we always rehearse at 7 PM on Monday nights during the year, except for Winter Break, Spring Break, and finals weeks. Just show up to the Band Shak, which is currently located on campus in the northwesternish wall of the Avery Aquatic Center. We'll have an instrument for you, as well as people willing to teach you how to play it if you want. If you have any other questions about joining, you can ask them here.
The Wider World
Those of us who have "Die luft der freiheit weht" tattooed in unmentionable places are already excited about Stanford. But we're not satisfied. Thus it often falls to us, the Stanford Band, to sally forth into the the greater Stanford community, and the world at large, to spread the gospel. Throwing a block party or town parade within 60 miles of campus? We'll probably show up to amuse all and shock most -- whether you invited us or not. Chinese New Year in San Francisco? We're gung ho about gung hay fat choy. The holiday parade in Los Gatos? Hey, we've got no problem with cats.
The Roar of the Crowd
But we're not just a non-stop spirit squad. And we don't do spirit fingers. When it comes to politics-- national, local, and campus, we're edgier than Calista Flockhart's ribcage and more offensive than a newscaster with Tourette's. But where to showcase our seemingly inexhaustible supply of witty observations and astute comments? Where better than smack dab in the middle of Foster Field at Stanford Stadium. Our halftime shows are like the Daily Show airlifted into the Super Bowl. We also support sports played with other kinds of balls, and even some which involve no balls at all. We're not sure which category women's volleyball fits into, but we know we like it. You'll see us at just about every one of those games, plus men's and women's basketball, and sometimes even soccer, water polo, fencing, or chess. Those chess players really like our arrangement of "I've Seen all Good People".
The Long and Short Of It
When it comes down to it, the common denominator of all the things we do is: happiness. We're here to make you happy...whoever you are.
-Moses Pounds, 1/2004