Kellogg Bands Spotlight: A Look at a Beloved Kellogg Institution

By Joel Kohn, Staff Writer

Kellogg Bands' Thomas Harvey (2Y '26) on Trolley Night Credit: Vivek Kannan

“I hope you survive the winter” is a common refrain for Kellogg students returning to Chicago after the holiday break. For locals and transplants alike, one needs to find some sort of strategy to cope with the sub-zero temperatures, frigid precipitation and 4:30 p.m. sunsets. Some of us try to stay occupied with indoor activities like basketball or knitting. Others embrace the pain and take to running in the cold in shorts (we call these people “maniacs”). Yet others, such as our glorious editors-in-chief, choose to depart Chicago for comparably warmer environments, like Japan and Argentina. Finally, some turn to beloved school pastimes and the company of others to get the chill of winter to bite a bit softer.

This final group, those of us who are not "snowbirding," will have Power Hour to look forward to this month, as well as Battle of the Bands once spring rolls around. Both these events are put together by the Kellogg Bands, one of the school’s most interesting clubs. To learn more about the club, The Kelloggian spoke with the Kellogg Bands President and Drummer for the Rocket Pockets, David Buzzell, as well as Band Manager, Chandler Scott (who is looking for an assistant manager, in case you’re interested).

The first noteworthy thing I learned about the bands is the unique way they are structured, which in some ways has more in common with a public corporation than it does with a standard rock band. The two Kellogg Bands, The Captains of Industry and the Rocket Pockets, were formed in 2011 to compete in the inaugural Battle of the Bands against The B**th School of Business. Unlike that other school, which selects its representatives for the annual battle from student bands that form and dissolve organically, the Captains and Rockets are an institution that have persisted even after all the founding members departed. The groups maintain a continuity of vision by having the first years audition for spots on the band, evaluated by second years who had been in their shoes the year before. Those first years then decide on setlists, rehearse, perform at school functions such as Trolley Night, Power Hour, and the Battle of the Bands. Eventually, these first year performers ascend to leadership as second year band leaders, repeating the cycle as they shepherd a new crop of first years through the auditioning process.

This rehearsal process is significantly more grueling than one might think from the prior description. When discussing rehearsals, Chandler noted that, in order to avoid disturbing the studies of their fellow Kellogg students, the Bands get together for rehearsals nine to midnight in White Auditorium.

Kellogg Bands' Gavin Gosgrave (2Y '26) rocking out Credit: Vivek Kannan

Beyond performing, Kellogg Band leadership is also responsible for managing the planning and logistics of their events, including venue contracting, equipment rentals, transport, finance, and plenty of other non-musical things.

Asking David and Chandler what they like most about the Kellogg bands, both pointed to the inclusivity of a group. Contrast with a more typical band, formed by friends with years or even decades of history, one would think that groups composed of people who barely knew each other at the time of formation might suffer from some awkward growing pains as they try to develop a musical style and setlist. Yet it was noted that everyone in the groups displayed an admirable spirit of consideration and collaboration, which they will surely carry forward to Power Hour and Battle of the Bands. Read more by Joel Kohn: Trolley Night Review What, Exactly, is the Point of Museums?: An Honest Review of Chicago's Field Museum