Join the Friends of the MDB

From the January 2015 Desktop News | A new organization for the support and promotion of the Million Dollar Band kicked off Jan. 1 and will hold its first meeting in April. The Friends of the Million Dollar Band, which will be part of The University of Alabama, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Music, was formed following conversations with the officers of the independent Million Dollar Band Association, MDB alumni, and friends over a two-year period.

“After much consultation and planning with community leaders and band officers and constituents, I’m pleased to announce the beginning of the Friends of the Million Dollar Band at The University of Alabama,” said Dr. Robert Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This organization will have new advantages for its activities, such as access to College and University resources for managing the promotional, organizational, accounting and financial business of this support group. And, the organization will also inherit and carry forward the enthusiasm, dedication and impressive performances of the alumni of the Million Dollar Band, certainly one of the most dynamic and respected groups of alumni at the University.”

The mission of the Friends is to actively assist, support and promote the Million Dollar Band. This includes assisting in the recruitment of students to the band; assisting the College in securing financial resources for the support of the band; coordinating, marketing and implementing the annual Alumni Band weekend; functioning as an advocacy group for the band and UA; and providing advice to the Dean on matters related to the Million Dollar Band.

Membership is open to individuals who support the objectives of the organization, meet the membership financial commitment and actively participate in the organization’s activities. Membership dues will be $100 for the first year of operation. Membership gifts will fund the Friends of the Million Dollar Band account, used to support the MDB.

By-laws will be formalized and officers elected at an April 2015 meeting.

“We are grateful to the leaders and alumni of the Million Dollar Band who worked with care and dedication to help develop a vision for the Friends that we trust will continue and expand the valued traditions and support of the Million Dollar Band alumni,” Olin said.

“We are excited about the inauguration of the Friends of the Million Dollar Band and look forward to active participation of many MDB alumni and others who love the band,” said Ken Ozzello, associate professor in the School of Music and director of the Million Dollar Band. “Our goal is to support the band to attract talented students to maintain its longstanding tradition of excellence both on and off the field.”

Alumni and friends may join by visiting the Friends website at http://friendsofmdb.as.ua.edu/join or by visiting the University’s website at http://onlinegiving.ua.edu to make your gift of $100 to the Friends of the MDB. Or gifts can be mailed to: Friends of the Million Dollar Band, Box 870368, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama with a notation that the gift is for the MDB.