Letter: Little 5 a cappella noise violations?

You know what really grinds my gears? As I sat on my 19th and Washington Street deck Wednesday, I was truly enjoying a little slice of heaven.

The afternoon agenda consisted of 70-degree weather, good friends, cold drinks and live music courtesy of our neighbors. After multiple bands had killed it on the makeshift stage, it was Straight No Chaser’s turn to kick out the jams.

SNC is iconic not only in Bloomington, but also throughout the country thanks to its harmonious melodies and a cappella genre. If an individual were to make a list of the bands that most embody the IU spirit, the Marching Hundred would be first, and SNC would be a close second.

So there I was soaking up the sun rays and the music in my senior year of Little 500, when what to my wondering eyes did appear but two local police officers.

These officers made their presence felt immediately by issuing my neighbors a $50 noise violation.

My afternoon and evening were ruined because I couldn’t stop dwelling over the fact that the police had just claimed that an instrument-free a cappella band had caused a noise violation at 4:15 in the afternoon.

I came to IU to be a part of the epic parties that I always heard took place during Little 500.

However, one such party never came to pass thanks to the supposedly loud and provocative music of SNC.

What was issued Wednesday afternoon had nothing to do with noise and everything to do with fun.

I know the local police officers’ chargers don’t pay for themselves, but for God’s sake, if kids are having a hazard-free good time on Little 500, don’t issue them a fun violation.

It’s having a fun time that has always made IU an attractive school and Little 500 the
greatest college week in all the country. Please don’t let those rich traditions be ruined by petty bullcrap.

­— Brian Granger