Auburn University Band members are playing songs of victory this summer, but not just for their beloved football team.
The group is celebrating the new band hall and practice field approved by Auburn University in a board meeting this spring.
"We have space set aside (for the new building), and we'll start practicing on the new field this August," said Corey Spurlin, associate director of bands and director of the marching band. "We're at the architectural design stage and very early stages of development and fundraising."
The current band building, which is located in Goodwin Hall along with the music department, was built in the 1970s to accommodate a band of 250.
The Auburn University Band now boasts 380 members and has outgrown the building as it has gained a national and international name for itself.
"Over the last six years, we've had the largest numbers total in our band program," said Richard Good, director of bands. "The size has just gotten so big, and when you have to house uniforms, new instruments and props, we've just outgrown the place a great deal."
Good also said the department has done decibel studies with the audiology department that determined the students are experiencing hearing loss when they practice inside the current band building.
The studies showed the band was generating such a loud volume in the confined space that it was close to the caliber of a jet engine on a runway.
"We need this size-wise and for recruiting purposes," said Rachel Glenn, sophomore in music education, flutist and student band librarian. "A university of this size should have a performing arts center because if not, it really takes away from recruiting. Recruits think our program isn't as good because we don't have the type of facilities that other universities have."
The decision to build the new band hall was also a result of Auburn University expansion.
The University plans to build an Office of Information Technologies building and a new parking deck on the Wilbur "Bodie" Hinton Field, Auburn Marching Band's practice field, forcing the band to relocate.
Directors and staff quickly realized the new location of the field, more than a mile away from the band building, posed several problems for band members including a lack of shelter from the elements, transportation problems and issues with logistics on game day.
Shortly after this realization, the new building was approved by the University, and space was set aside for the building next to the new practice field.
The band still faces the task of fundraising. The project was approved for up to $15 million, but it's up to the band to raise the bulk of it.
"Financially, we understand these are difficult times to be raising money, but this is a very important need for us to keep our band program where it has been," Spurlin said. "We are going to face some major logistical issues in the next couple years before we have the building. That may hurt our program, so we're hopeful that this is going to happen and keep us going in the right direction."
Anne-Katrin Gramberg, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, gave the band $1 million to build a pavilion that will provide the band with shelter until the building can be finished.
The slogan and title of the fundraising campaign is "strike up the band," which is taken directly from Auburn's fight song.
Spurlin said a logo has also been created, and the band will start promoting even more once football season starts.
"There will be a lot of naming opportunities for potential donors," said Good. "For instance, a person could donate 'x' amount of dollars and get the field named after them, or the pavilion or one of the rehearsal rooms."
Daniel Johnson, junior in biomedical sciences and Kappa Kappa Psi member, said he thinks the facility will be something positive for current members.
"We've all put in a lot of work whether we're in the marching band or not," Johnson said. "Having the facilities to perform and rehearse in is going to be really helpful. I think our numbers in terms of quality players will greatly improve."
Good said even after all of the money is raised, it will still be a long process with construction. He said he hopes to see it finished in seven years, though five or six would be great.
"I'm extremely excited and appreciative of the University approving the project for us," Spurlin said. "I know it's a time that may be difficult to raise money, but it's a major concern for us, and we appreciate the University making it a concern for them as well."
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