• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Tuskegee Marching Band Threatens Boycott, Claims They Feel 'Exploited'

"We are one of the most underfunded programs on campus. We feel that is unacceptable considering this is a program that operates year-round no matter the weather," a statement reads.
Tuskegee Marching Band Threatens Boycott, Claims They Feel ‘Exploited’
Getty
By Kevin L. Clark · Updated October 29, 2021

There’s a rebellion going on within HBCUs and their communities that will no longer be ignored.

Marching band members of the famed Tuskegee University have promised to stop performing at school-sponsored events unless issues involving leadership, funding, recruitment and more are resolved by the school’s administration.

Known across the country as The Marching Crimson Pipers, spokespersons for the band released a statement detailing their concerns surrounding the band’s program and treatment of its participants.

“With the cooperation of SGA (Student Government Association), a student questionnaire was provided at the beginning of the season to address current band members’ opinions on the program,” the band said in the statement. “Since joining the band, several members have expressed their concerns with the lack of growth not only in their musicianship but the program itself.”

“In order to operate as an efficient collegiate musical ensemble, qualified and accountable leadership is a necessity. From the settings of rehearsal to vital performances, the band requires dependable staff who will not only guide us with strong leadership but who will also support us in the areas that we cannot support ourselves.”

The band, which cites stagnation within the program and issues with personal growth and development, also called for better funding that includes sufficient salaries for band staff, travel cost coverage and enhanced scholarship funding for members.

Official Statement on behalf of the concerned members of the Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Piper Band#WeNeedLeadership#WeNeedStructure#WeNeedFunding#NewBandDirector#SaveTheBand pic.twitter.com/bNUXXWA5Bh

— Tuskegee University SGA (@TuskegeeUnivSGA) October 23, 2021

There were also “multiple occurrences” of members’ “dietary needs not being met” on trips outlined by the band, who noted that they end up having to cover their own cost of meals.

“We have experienced a clear lack of motive for a successful/progressive program from the university and band staff which we have associated with complacency,” the statement said. “Oftentimes, we are asked to do things by the university, and we are not properly acknowledged or rewarded for our hard efforts. We feel as if we are just being exploited by the university and not recognized as an organization that functions within the university.”

In addition to the above, band members alleged a lack of communication and transparency from the band and school leadership as it pertains to rehearsals, updates on uniforms and instruments, and claimed underfunding.

“We have found that we are one of the most underfunded programs on campus,” the statement shared. “We feel that is unacceptable considering this is a program that operates year-round no matter the weather. We will no longer allow ourselves to be exploited simply on the basis that we ‘signed up for it.’ And we will no longer allow for the apathetic nature that has been granted to us, as we strive to not only hold our leadership accountable but our fellow band members both current and future.”

Tuskegee President Charlotte P. Morris released a statement in rebuttal, after being made aware of the allegations by the school’s band members, saying, “The Marching Crimson Pipers are an important part of the Tuskegee family. We look forward to meeting with band leaders to discuss and respond to their concerns. We thank the Tuskegee community for their support as we work to resolve these issues together.”

A resolution between the school and the band has not been officially disclosed, nor has there been any list of demands that is publicly available for viewing.

The news comes on the heels of another student protest at a storied HBCU, as Howard University finds itself embroiled in a conflict with its students over housing conditions.

TOPICS:  #hbcuhomecoming HBCU
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now