Word: bands
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Through the forties, then the fifties, the Band expanded at a fast rate, cutting records, touring the country, giving campus concerts, but always supporting the football teams. Since the Band's creation, its main function has been to play at football games. Its members are faithful and enthusiastic followers, and the coaches, players, and fans appreciate it. The Harvard Athletic Association, the Varsity Club, and coaches of many sports have expressed on occasion words of praise for the Band's support...
After his first year as varsity football coach, John Yovicsin said, "The Band is closer to the team than any other group. The Band's enthusiasm has been great for the coaches as well as the players...
Playing at unusual times and place is the Band's favorite trick--and a trademark. The musicians once got out of bed at dawn to give the cross-country team, bound for a championship meet, a musical sendoff at South Station. At another time they showed up in the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria and then marched through the streets of New York playing Christmas carols...
...fond memory of many alumni who will be at the field today is the near riot at Yale in 1953. En route to Columbia the Band stopped off to entertain at Harkness Commons at 2:30 a.m. As students booed and threw various objects and foodstuffs, New Haven police arrested the whole Band for parading without a license and breach of peace. Also arrested was an off-duty policeman who enjoyed the music enough to step up and direct the Band in "Yo Ho!--the Good Ship Harvard." Bail was posted and the group was once again...
Because of its sentimental value to the Band and because it signifies Harvard's pride in its Band, the drum is always a target for students from rival colleges. It is kept securely in the Band room, especially when certain teams come to town, but on the field, it's open to attack...