AUBURN – The Auburn University Athletics Department announced today it has pledged $1.5 million to the Auburn Marching Band for its capital campaign to fund a new band practice facility.
The Band Practice Facility project was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2010 and will provide more than 32,500 square feet of space for the nationally renowned program. The total cost of the facility is estimated at $10 million and will feature a concert band rehearsal hall, percussion studio, marching band rehearsal hall, practice studios, administrative offices, archive gallery and a music library.
"The Auburn University Marching Band is an integral part of the pageantry and fabric of our gameday experience, and we are pleased to be able to help the band program move closer to its goal of building a first-class rehearsal facility," said Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs.
"I am impressed by the vision Dean Gramberg and the band leadership have for this facility, which will ensure a commitment to excellence far into the future. Not only have Auburn University bands represented us all over the world for more than a century, they have been an invaluable part of the educational experience for generations of Auburn men and women who are proud band alumni. I urge the entire Auburn Family to get behind this project to make it a reality."
The Marching Band has been a part of the Auburn Athletics experience for nearly 100 years. They are active on Auburn football gamedays as part of the tailgating festivities, Tiger Walk and the always anticipated pregame and halftime performances as well as energizing the crowd in the stands. Additionally, the Auburn Band provides atmosphere and pageantry for men's and women's basketball and many other Tiger sporting events.
"The Auburn Band is very thankful for the generous gift provided by the Auburn University Athletic Department," said Director of Bands Rick Good. "This commitment will be used to house all components of the Auburn Band program, including the 380-member Auburn University Marching Band. The AUMB students give so much of their time to the university; I know they are excited that the dream of a ‘new home' is much closer to becoming a reality now due to the support of Jay Jacobs and the Athletic Department."
The first phase of construction, which included a new band rehearsal pavilion located off Hemlock Drive, has been completed. The second phase will incorporate the indoor practice spaces, offices and storage.
"The Auburn Band is a valuable part of our program and an essential component of the Auburn gameday experience, both home and away," said Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik. "It's a great inspiration for our team and fans to hear the sounds of War Eagle being played by our band. In addition, the band members are great ambassadors for our university, athletic department and community. I encourage the Auburn Family to support the Auburn Band to build a new home that will allow them to continue to be the best band in the country."
The fundraising goal for the Campaign for the Auburn University Bands Practice Facility is $5.5 million in private support, which will be matched by Auburn's administration. Charitable, tax-deductible gifts in support of the Band Practice Facility campaign can be made through the Auburn University Foundation. For information about the various means of donating to Auburn University, visit https://develop.auburn.edu/how or contact the College of Liberal Arts Office of Development at 334.844.1483.
The projected date of completion for the project is 2014.
INFORMATION SOURCE: Auburn Athletics Dept.
Rendering Courtesy: Auburn Athletics
