The Penn
Band was founded in 1897 and ever since has been one
of the University’s most progressive traditions.
The organization is a part of the Department of
Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania; like
most of the other 49 performing arts groups on the
Penn Campus, the Penn Band has no affiliation with
any academic department and is sponsored by the Vice
Provost’s Office for Undergraduate Life.
The organization, typically ranging between 80 and
100 members every year, is among the largest and
most active student-run organizations on campus,
performing upwards of 60 times during the academic
year.
The
organization boasts a rich history of performance,
including several performances with the renowned
band leader John Phillip Sousa, the first collegiate
band to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,
countless recordings, national broadcasts and
concerts, and performing at the pleasure of numerous
American presidents and state leaders.
Today,
the group is a bastion of music and mirth on the
Penn Campus, performing at campus events, all
Football games, and most Men’s and Women’s
Basketball games. The group also tours
along the East Coast; in recent years, the group has
toured both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios
in Orlando, Florida. The group’s appearances
include nine NCAA tournament games on national
television in the past ten years, ESPN Game Day
Live, MSNBC Hardball, and the Fox and
Friends Morning Show. Earlier
in 2007, the band had the opportunity to perform
with rock legend and drummer Simon Kirke on the Penn
campus.
