General Activities Board
Washington and Lee’s General Activities Board, or GAB, is the organization responsible for hosting concerts on campus. Starting as PR Chair and moving up to General Chair, I made it my mission to revive and rebrand GAB on campus.
During the 2023-24 school year, we ran three successful partnerships to put on three successful events. Engaging over 2,000 members of the W&L community through our Battle(s) of the Bands initiative, Winter Concert, and Spring Music Festival, we quickly become one of the most popular organizations on campus.
Learn the strategy below
BATTLE(S) OF THE BANDS
July 2o23, the exec team met to discuss rebranding GAB’s image on campus. With the goal of increasing student engagement with GAB throughout last school year, we designed an event for the students, by the students.
A series of mini concerts showcasing the student bands enrolled in the competition. Fridays at 6 pm, students gathered outside junior housing to hear their peers perform a sneak peek of their Battle of the Bands set.
On Wednesday November 8th, 2023, students took a study break to watch their peers compete for the title of the best band on campus. In addition to the bands, students participated as MC’s, judges, and security for the event.
WINTER CONCERT
Each year GAB puts on a winter concert to build excitement around Fancy Dress. Last year, Phi Beta Sigma, a historically Black fraternity, reached out about bringing a large rap name to bring representation of Black culture to a primarily white campus.
Using the event as an educational opportunity, we ran a campaign focused on the history of Black artists. Our student openers were asked to come up with a set list featuring solely Black artists, whom we shared the history of through a social media campaign.
Waka was the perfect performer to engage students, as he made his way into the crowd, and even out to some after parties. Using social listening and other student groups to find our artist, we put on the best winter show yet.
LEX FEST
A revived W&L tradition, Lex Fest features 2-3 up-and-coming country or rock artists for an evening of music, food, and fun.
With a sold out show the first year, Lex Fest created a core memory for 1,700 guests. In 2025, we have even bigger plans.
The free-for-attendance event unites alumni, students, and faculty through the common interest of celebrating music and the community.
