Orgo Night
On the day before the Organic Chemistry exam—which is always on the first day of finals—at precisely the stroke of midnight, the Columbia University Marching Band occupies the Reading Room (209) of Butler Library to distract diligent students from studying.
Though the performance doesn't begin until midnight, early arrival is recommended as students begin to file in and claim prime spaces in the room as early as 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time. Despite the commotion, at least some students attempt to study through the event.
After a half-hour script of campus-interest jokes and music, the procession then moves out to Van Am Quad to entertain the residents there. The band then plays at various other locations around the campus, including the courtyard of Wien, and the residential quadrangle of Barnard College, where students of the all-women's school, in mock-consternation, rain trash - including notes and course packets - and water balloons upon them from their dormitories above.
The band ends their Orgo Night performances in front ofFurnald Hall, formerly an all-Senior dormitory, where the seniors gather on the steps of the building and the underclassmen in the marching band serenade them with a singing of the college Alma Amter, Sans Souci. After finishing the song, the singers begin a spirited and entertaining, though vulgar, mock-version of the song, composed of quips that poke fun at the various stereotypes about the Columbia student body.
External links
- This article is largely based on Wikipedia's article on Columbia University
- Marching Band Scripts
