Reader comments
U. band is invited to take part in inauguration

Dave in NC | 2:52 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

What about the 12 million the conference received from the bowl game? come on "U" guys, no budget $ for the band?

Drumline | 3:13 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Go Utes! They must've heard the Utes Drumline perform on Canal Street on New Year's Day. That was pretty cool! Way to go band!

AFHS Band | 3:16 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Been there done that! The U of U band will have to really step it up to maintain the standard set by the AF High School band. Good luck!

Comments continue below

Utah Man in SLC | 4:03 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The U only gets about 4 Million from the Sugar Bowl.
The rest gets split between all the non-BCS teams, even ones from other non-BCS conferences. Thats before thy pay for everything like flying the team to New Orleans just to participate, plus they have to buy the 2,000 tickets they couldn't sell.

Dave from Midvale | 4:45 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

If the weather was better, they could march next saturday through the neighborhoods of the Salt Lake Valley, people could line up along the route and pitch money into a big bucket on a float, or the cheerleaders could run along with smaller buckets to take donations.

BSC Cashola | 5:42 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I read one estimation that the Utes would barely clear a mil from the BSC game. They're sharing the 17M with, what, 50+ "non-BSC" schools? That's fair.

AF Standard? | 5:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The AF standard seems to be burning through kids and money so that few to none play beyond the high school level. Out of 250 kids in that band probably fewer than ten a year go on to play in college. The colleges want them, but they don't want band.

The U band is made of kids from bands that teach kids to love music, rather than giving them a momentary competitive hype fest.

My guess is that AF band worked hard to get invited to the Bush inauguration. The U was invited without having to ask.

rvalens2 | 6:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Re: Dave from Midvale

I like your idea. They could probably raise $50,000.00 just from marching in a procession around Salt Lake, Midvale, Murray, Sandy, West Valley, North Salt Lake, Bountiful, etc.

Heck, take them up to Park City where the Fat Cats live and let them donate as well.

The euphoria is really high right now, if members of the team would agree to ride on a float they could likely raise even more.

I'd like to see the Band carry a banner proclaiming the University of Utah football team the real National Champion - Undefeated, Untied and Undeniable.

rvalens2 | 6:22 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I wanted to make an anonymous donation to the band but the online form just asks too many questions. The last thing I want to have happen is to be put on a mailing list.

To the UofU:

Please change the form to a simple anonymous link where people can send funds. I don't care to be acknowledge in any way for my donation. But I also don't want to end up on any mailing lists.

I get too many trash mails (and emails) the way it is.

Make the change and I'll send you $100.00.

to rvalens2 | 6:43 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

If you really want to send a donation, send it to the Ute Marching Band
Gardner Hall
University of Utah
SLC, UT 84112

realist | 8:49 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I predict that the band won't be going.. to raise that kind of money they need a BIG donor. Parading thru town won't do it! Too much "red" tape, not enough time. Oh well.. the Yewt spotlight has faded.

Anonymous | 9:10 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

This reads more like a plea than a newspaper article.

Ute Band Alum | 11:07 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

This is a great honor for the Band, University and Utah! Sending them should be priority for the Athletic Department and the School. Fact is this: The band is a part of the athletic dept. The band receives scholarship money from the athletic dept and nearly every band member has a scholarship (which pays very little per semester might I add). They recieve a place to practice by the athletic dept and are at their beck and call.

ute Band Alum | 11:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Cont. The band goes on 2 trips minimum every year, one in-state one out-of-state, to accompany the football team. That is basically the extent of the support from the athletic dept. If it werenï¿½t for a wonderful and sweet lady, the late Sally Burbidge, the band wouldnï¿½t have uniforms (two sets mind you!), full tuition and full ride music scholarships and instruments to play (thank you Sally!!). The band shows the greatest school spirit at all athletic events they play (the Muss being their rival!).

Daddy dollars | 11:23 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Hey,
Call up daddy and mommy and have them send you some money!! or take it out of your savings!!

AF Band? | 3:33 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Hey American Fork band posters...no one cares about your band and where or if you perform. Go post on a BYU football team story.

CP | 4:58 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Ok so now the U is saying that they don't have enough money to send their band to the Pres. Inaugeration? Yet they want recognition for the school or just recognition for the football team? They have it in the budget to get their athletic teams anywhere yet they won't help the band to do something even more important then "play on a field". Makes no sense to me. Seems to me they have a double standard, Football is important, but the band isn't. Shame! Shame!

I love the U band! | 7:01 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I will be happy to donate. One of the things that truly separates the boring NFL from college football are the bands. RES is a much better place on Saturdays because of the band.
Good luck in DC! You'll find enough support to get there.

Belle | 7:26 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Here we go again. Sports gets all the $, and yet the back up singers get nada.

ie: I sang in a choir at of U at the then "Special Events Center" at a ritzy dinner when it was re-named "The Huntsman Center" The honored benefactor graciously stood and said how inspired he had been by the music, and how because of that he and his wife had decided right then and there to double their donation to the SPORTS department!? I was standing there think, well I'm glad you found the music so inspiring... but maybe next time they should have the football team sing, and see how inspiring that is...!?

Come on U of U, your band, not your football team has been asked to march at a Presidential Inauguration - there's got to be some $ somewhere to have them represent our great school. I'll gladly send some $, but note another example of the stark disparity between funding in sports and the arts - sports it comes down raining, while the musician are begging in the streets (or is that the parade?)

What an honor! GO UTAH!

Money always for Athletics | 8:10 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

It does seem that money always goes for athletics at most universities. But since the band is a big part of the game experience, you'd think they could tap into some of the athletic funds.

By the way, when I was at the U during Urban Meyer's short tenure, I thought it interesting that the U paid so much to have him there and yet in the dilapidated OSH building bathrooms on the main floor would flood whenever there was a snowstorm.

Oh, yes. Athletics are more important than academics.

Donation Info | 9:07 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I wish the article had contained information about the best way to donate . . .

Band Dad | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I'm going to the UofU website right now to make my donation. The positive responses above are fantastic.

I suggest that anyone reading this that wants to help, do what I did. I wrote an email to my state Senator and Representative, to our two US Senators and my US Representative, to Governor Huntsman and to the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation. Think of any other political figures, celebrities and/or foundations that could help financially or through other ways and write to them too.

I'm also writing to all my Ute fan family and friends to make sure they know about this and have the opportunity to step up and show their "Pride" in "The Pride of Utah".

Let's do all we can to ensure that we don't fall short on this important goal to have these dedicated young men and women represent us at this historic occasion.

Please open you wallets and your hearts and help our Marching Utes be our ambassadors to the nation!

Bill Gates | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I would like to donate $5 for the Utes band to go to Washington D.C. Where do I send a check?

Utah Band | 9:18 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The Utes are the best think to come from ever from SL.UT.

Ute Band Alum | 9:18 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This parade would be the equivalent of a BCS championship for the band. A time to showcase Utah and the University! I say to all Utah Band Alumni out there, we have our band brothers and sisters that need our assistance. Call the band office and ask what you can do to support them in getting to DC. Even if you arenï¿½t part of the alumni, call and pledge your support! Lets be a part of something bigger than ourselves!!!

Hey Dave from Midvale!! Nice to hear from ya!!

AFHS Band: You are trying to say that you are on the level with collegiate musicians. Apples to oranges!! Your band sought out that invite. Utah was asked. Welcome to the big leagues!

Mallori | 9:21 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I go to the U and I know how much I pay them in tuition each semester and it keeps on getting higher and higher. It would take 25 kids tuition to pay 50 grand of that money or 75 kids tuition to pay all of it. I hope they are not saying that out of 29,000 students they can't spare 75 kids money!!!!! Makes me so angry. I would rather have my money go to this rather than something else that the U "thinks" I need within the campus like plasma's wherever I look.

OH PLEASE | 9:27 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

IF UTAH CAN GIVE WHITTINGHAM A MILLION PLUS SALARY, THEN THEY CAN GIVE 150,000 TO THE BAND. KYLE, GIVE THE BAND THE MONEH. YOU DON'T NEED ALL THAT MONEY.

I realize the salary mostly comes from the fat cat boosters, but those same fat cats can come up with the money. $150.000 is pocket change.

Anonymous | 9:26 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I love the band at Ute games but football MAKES money for the U, the band costs money.

Ute Band Alum | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

If you really want to send a donation, send it to:
The Ute Marching Band
Gardner Hall
University of Utah
SLC, UT 84112

Let them know what the donation is for!! They will make sure it goes where it needs to! Thanks to whomever posted the address. Everyone donate please. Doug Wright asks $13 dollars from every Ute fan. Be generous please. I'll be sending mine today!

Washington Ute | 10:16 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Congratulations to the University of Utah marching band!

As a 1993 alum of the college of engineering and a life long fan (I have many good memories from games at the Special Events Center and a few from Rice Stadium), it has been a fantastic week to be a Ute.

My daughter is a member of the Evergreen High School marching band in Vancouver, WA. They too received an invitation to participate in the inaugural parade (one of approx. 24 marching bands from over 1,400 that applied according to an article in our local newspaper). They started planning a year ago by making plane reservations and hotel reservations before even sending in their application. My daughter has been working hard all year to earn the $862 for the trip.

I hope the band can make this trip happen. What a great opportunity for the members of the band to participate in this historic event and another chance for the nation to see a great product from the University of Utah.

Hmmm | 11:48 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Let's see, the AF Band marched at GW's Inauguration 4 years ago and were asked to return for BHO's Inauguration without even asking. Since AFHS opted out it seems as if the Looney-Lib's need some conservative group from UT to make it look fair. It looks as if the Ute Band is nothing more than the token conservative for the march. That aside, Congrats Utes for a great season and congrats to the Utes for being invited. If you go, I am sure that you will represent UT well.

The thing is | 12:08 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

sports are revenue generating for the school. Practically the only self-sustaining program on campus. They bring in a ton of money. I work at the U and I often wondered why so much was spent on athletics and not academics - it is the almighty dollar. Now if it were my department raking in the bucks and others crying about how it was spent, I would take offense. So, now I understand. Sports revenue funds the athletic scholarships, expenses for equipment and travel and all of that stuff. The band could put on concerts to raise funds, etc. I understand this was a spur of the moment thing and I have made my donation. I would love to see them go and I agree, they ought to get a bigger slice of the pie with all the support they give to the teams. But that isn't the way it works...

Put up | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

If the Bama band were invited, it's administration would not send them begging.

If Florida's Band, Oklahoma's Band, Texas' band were invited, they wouldn't have to beg either.

We can't claim to be national champions if we don't take care of our own band.

I guess we really are not in the same league, at least DR Hill doesn't think so or he would come up with the funds from the athletic budget. Its chump change to the athletic department.

So Dr Hill, put up or shut up.

Hoosier Ute | 3:28 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas get BCS money every year and sometimes they get a double share because two teams go from the conference. Utah gets 1.2 mill from their accomplishment and I dare say that money is better spent in the athletic department than to send the band to the inauguration of a president that got less support in Utah than any other state in the nation.

Wildcat | 3:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

From a former member of the Pride Arizona, Congrats to the Pride of Utah! Bear Down!

Matthew | 4:11 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

NEWS FLASH! There are no rooms available withing 100 miles of Washington D.C. They'd be better off chartering a bus, that way they could "communte" from Philadelphia or something.

Go Band! | 6:14 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I really hope they can come up with the money. I'm wondering if the band has set up any fund raising activities or auctions that we could also help with.

Donations are an okay way to go, and always the best, but nickels and dimes do matter, especially with the amount of support found throughout the area.

I'm partial to BYU, but I definitely would support the U wholeheartedly, even in tight times right after Christmas.

BTW, aren't there recruiting funds the U uses to draw seniors out? My kids have received many things from them in the mail...slick and pricey. Maybe they could alter their budget some, since this definitely gives the school some positive exposure to a broad audience.

Just Passin' Thru | 7:23 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Maybe the LeBus that went to New Orleans could be "chartered" for a second round of "Where Are We Going?" Should be lots of fun!

awespmeron | 10:00 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I would Not Allow My Child To Go. On the 20th of Jan, we will have the TV,Radio and Internet OFF.

re;awesmeron | 10:51 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

"I would Not Allow My Child To Go" ...and your kid is in college? I hope you don't deny your kid other great opportunities throughout their lives!!! Regardless of who the inaguration is for, this would be a great opportunity for any band member!

Voter | 10:54 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

While I applaud the ego boost this provides the excellent U of U Band, it is really nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt by Obama's Inauguration Committee.

They know that travel arrangements and lodging for a group this size have to be arranged well in advance, and parade details are worked out down to the minute long before now.

It would be better to not waste money on a trip like this, especially in tough times. Spend it on scholarships for students whose parents are laid off or something like that instead.

L Cortes | 7:50 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009

As a proud mother of one of the band members, I hope the state of Utah will rise to the occasion and give these kids an opportunity of a lifetime and the light that will shine back on the University of Utah and the state will be brighter than any star in the sky. Go Marching Utes and show the world you are the best Love your number one fan!!

DC Ute | 9:18 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009

I've heard they need rooms for the band members, and my DC suburb guest room is open in addition to my donation.

I see a lot of AFHS band smack being posted and I have to say it is sad when happy valley has to resort to HS Band smack and lies about turning down invitations to the parade (First hand knowledge that this is a church water cooler lie). Grow up and learn some class Y fans!

John Gilbert | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 16, 2009

40 years ago,Jan. 20, 1969, I marched as a member of the Tooele High Band in the naugural parade. The following year I became a member of the University of Utah Marchhing Band. I am all for them to go.

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