LSU Asks Fans to “Band Together”

Novemer 11, 2007 – Since 1958, the size of the Golden Band from Tigerland has more than doubled from 144 members to 325. While the size and quality of the LSU band has increased over the years, the LSU band hall has remained the same. However, this is about to change with Forever LSU’s “Band Together” campaign to build a new band hall on campus.

The new hall will be constructed on Aster Street near Highland Road, on the site of the marching band’s current practice field. In the new building, the band program’s many elements will be able to practice indoors each day, regardless of weather conditions. With the new facility, the program will be able to continue to recruit the finest band members and faculty from around the world, furthering the tradition of producing the best and the brightest musicians as representatives of LSU.

Through an action of the 2007 Legislature, the state of Louisiana has appropriated $5 million toward construction of a new hall. However, to gain these funds, the friends and supporters of the LSU bands must raise a matching $5 million by Aug. 30, 2008.

This $10 million total is part of the Phase 1 goal, which will provide the essential space that LSU’s band program needs from the new facility, but an additional $5 million will be required to make this new band hall a true home for the Golden Band, one that will last for many years to come. The total cost of the project currently is $15 million.

Fans, alumni and supporters can help by donating through any of the university’s fund-raising organizations: the LSU Alumni Association, the LSU Foundation and the Tiger Athletic Foundation. More information on the new band hall, including an artist rendering, ways to donate and naming opportunities, can be found at friendsofthelsutigerband.org.

The “Band Together” fundraiser is part of LSU’s Forever LSU campaign, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in LSU’s history. With a goal of raising $750 million by 2010, the campaign strategy supports the National Flagship Agenda, the plan that will position LSU as one of the leading public institutions in the nation.

For more information, contact the Tiger Band Hall hotline at 225-578-3004 or lsubandfriends@lsu.edu.

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Michelle Spielman
LSU Office of Public Affairs