University of Wisconsin-Madison Marching Band Director Michael Leckrone reminded the sickly members of his band Wednesday not to play one another’s instruments at their weekend parties.
The band is notorious for its wild get-togethers, where “trumpets and clarinets are passed around with reckless abandon,” Leckrone said.
Band members say it is hard to control themselves while under the influence of music.
“Sometimes you just see someone’s flute sitting on a countertop or table and you can’t help yourself but play a little bit,” sophomore flautist Sharon Tiegs said. “Free music, right? Who on earth is going to turn that down?”
Leckrone says he issued the reminder in an attempt to combat the spread of the illnesses that have ravaged the marching band this year.
After last weekend’s partying, it was estimated that nearly 80 percent of the band was sick. Almost half were unable to attend practice Monday and Tuesday.
Some of the afflicted band members say they are taking Leckrone’s message to heart.
“I just want to get back to practice,” freshman woodwind specialist Gary Hart said. “No more free notes for my friends when we’re pregaming. From now on, it’s B.Y.O.B.: bring your own bassoon.”
However, others say the risk of sharing instruments is well worth it.
“It’s all about experimenting with new instruments,” trumpeter James Halsey said. “But, I’m not going to go out and buy a new one every weekend. If I want to play a line of flute or hit a note on the clarinet, I’m going to ask my friends who have them.”
Toward the end of his speech Wednesday, Leckrone also warned the band about the dangers of leaving their instruments unattended.
“Always keep an eye on your instrument!” Leckrone said. “You never know if some sicko is going to slip something into a valve or pour something onto your mouthpiece.”
Leckrone says the UW Marching Band’s situation is not unique.
“Bands all across the country have to deal with this problem every year,” Leckrone said. “Just look at what happened to Ohio State.”
Last year, the Buckeye band decided not to travel to Miami to perform at the Orange Bowl after over half of the percussion section was killed by a meningitis outbreak traced back to one game of “Ear Gong.”
