Written by Bob McCormick on 5/01/2007 10:07:00 PM
This past year, when I typically was on the right side of the UH campus, I'd look back at the annex with sadness. All I could see was the main structure (the I-beam) left from the building.
But today, I had the opportunity to swing by UH again. I drove past the old Band Annex structure, and saw that a few changes have been made.
Many a late night after-game party and "road trip" to away games started at the Band Annex, so it was one of the most memorable places at UH while I was a student there. It was an old 1940's-vintage structure, which (I thought at the time) was where World War II Tanks were built. At least, that was what it looked like, given the size of it. It was where we practiced the Marching Band arrangements.
It was in sad shape in the early 80's. It had a leaky roof that leaked onto the ceiling, causing the ceiling tiles to fall. It was not (initially) carpeted - so having a 200+ piece Marching Band in it made for "interesting" acoustics. Still, it housed the KKY and TBS fraternity "rooms" - and it was the home for the band. (Maybe we were operating under a "Hawthorne effect"?) The current Marching Band practices in the much better-equipped Moores School of Music facility.
In any event, I was much happier after I drove past the old band annex site today. Apparently, UH decided to at least reuse the foundation - the new structure will be used by the College of Architecture. You can read more about it in this UH press release.
Here's what it looks like today:
Of course, I remember it when that loading dock door was painted red, with "The Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band" on the front of it. I even remember who did the painting (thanks Doug Allison!) and who did the touchup on it (thanks Arman Prescott!)
Here's a side view of the annex. You can't see it from this photo, but the upper side of the building also has windows. The doorway you see (to the right of the big tree in the center) used to be an extension to the building, where the KKY room was.
It's good to see that parcel of land being put to good use.
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