NUMBALUMS (Northwestern University Marching and Band Alumni) -- Activities
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The main purposes of the NUMBALUMS are:
- To promote fellowship among band alumni and their families;
- To provide enrichment opportunities for band alumni; and
- To support and advocate the Northwestern University Band program.
Our activities include:
Homecoming:
- March in the Homecoming parade, pregame and halftime shows;
- Attend a Friday bar night with fellow NUMBALUMS after the pep rally & parade; and
- Attend a post-game tailgate in the West lot.
Throughout the football season:
- Play in a pep band with NUMB for early season home football games (as requested);
- Volunteer as guides for high school bands attending on-campus Band Day;
- Attend occasional tailgates and game-centric gatherings, including an annual informal road trip to
support NUMB; and
- Meet fellow NUMBALUMS at football bowl game activities.
Off-season and special events:
- Play in a pep band with NUBB (Basketball Band) for a home conference game and attend a post-game
social event;
- Attend the final dress rehearsal of Waa-Mu; and
- Attend other social and special events as they occur (ex. performance at the Kennedy Center, SWE
performance in Millenium Park, NUMB history speaker panel, etc.).
In support of both NU band students and alumni, the NUMBALUMS also:
- Sponsor The Carl Dill Award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding graduate of NUMB as
selected by the current band director;
- Host a BBQ for NUMB students the Sunday after Band Camp;
- Help purchase NUBB jerseys for performances along with the Fast Break Club;
- Purchase sound systems and other equipment for NUMB rehearsals and performances;
- Underwrite the purchase of band jackets for NUMB members;
- Fund the NUMB web presence and maintenance;
- Help facilitate the video recording and publishing of NUMB performances on YouTube;
- Maintain Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts for networking, sharing and information
dissemination;
- Produce and distribute recordings of present and former Marching Bands. Past recordings include: Hail
to Purple, a retrospective CD of NUMB recordings made between 1954 and 2000; and Push On!
recorded in 2005 and issued in 2008, featuring 20 tracks including the traditional Northwestern spirit
songs “Go ‘U’ Northwestern,” “University Alma Mater," and “Push On,” as well as “Hey Baby!” and
selections from the band’s halftime performances;
- In 2005, produced a CD by the Northwestern Symphonic Wind Ensemble titled “Contemporaries” under
the direction of Northwestern’s Director of Bands, Professor Mallory Thompson;
- Work with the Bienen School of Music and Pick-Staiger Concert Hall to increase awareness of the
University’s joint project with Apple’s iTunes;
- Promote on- and off-campus Northwestern band concerts;
- Continually develop and implement opportunities for student and alumni networking and enrichment;
and
- Support and promote the efforts of participating band groups, the Bienen School of Music and
Northwestern Athletics.
In 2010 the NUMBALUMS were were recognized by the NAA Leadership Conference for Excellence in Student Initiatives. The NUMBALUMS received the honor (and even a trophy!) for their tireless work to support the Northwestern University Marching Band and its students. Our activities list is more than what we do; it's how we express our support of a program that made a difference in each of our lives, and we are honored to provide that assistance and look forward to finding more ways to serve both students and alumni.
