Cal Band

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The University of California Marching Band "The Pacesetter of College Marching Bands, the Pride of California"

School	University of California
Location	Berkeley, CA
Conference	Pacific Ten Conference
Founded	1891
Director	Robert Calonico
Members	230
Uniform	Dark Blue Military Jacket and Trousers with Gold Accents, and White Epaulettes; Military Cap with White Plume; White Crossed Vest with Silver Breastplate; Gold Cape; Black Shoes with White Spats

The Cal Band is the marching band for the University of California, Berkeley. While the Cal Band is student-run, it is administered under the auspices of the university, and represents Cal at sporting events and social gatherings.

Unlike other collegiate marching bands, the Cal Band is not under the university's Department of Music but rather the Department of Student Musical Activities, with other student-led organizations such as the University of California Jazz Ensemble and University of California Choral Ensembles. Also, the Band is entirely student-run, save for the only University-paid employee, its Director. Five students, each heading a specific point of leadership within the band, are elected by their peers and serve for terms of one calendar year. The five student leaders and the Director form the Executive Committee. The Senior Manager is elected by the previous Executive Committee. All the other student Executive Committee positions are elected by a majority vote of the Band membership.

Presently the Band has approximately 230 members and is directed by Robert M. Calonico, himself an alumnus of the University and the Band, serving as its Student Director in 1976.

[edit] History

The Cal Band has its roots in the University Cadet Band established in 1891. In 1923, the Band was sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) and its student leadership structure was formalized two years later.

After the 1950 Rose Bowl against Ohio State University, the Cal Band decided to adopt its present high-stepping style after they discovered their performance looked lackluster in comparison to Ohio State's marching band. The Straw Hat Band, a subset of the Cal Band, was also established that same year.

In the 1970s, the Band's leadership structure was reorganized, a new band constitution written, and sponsorship moved from ASUC to the university. Women were also admitted into the Band for the first time, by the influence of Title IX. Recently, the Band's membership has consisted of an even split of men and women.