Pep Bands vs. Canned Music at Football Games

K-Mack · March 02, 2007, 12:59:15 AM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 18, 2007, 05:58:44 PM
That's alright -- I don't think it's a tangent, very on-topic.

Agreed

K-Mack · March 02, 2007, 01:00:13 AM

Quote from: AUPepBand on February 18, 2007, 07:26:45 PM
Those involved in the University's bands/choruses participate for their own enjoyment and, while credit is given for participation in the orchestra, concert band and jazz band, AU Pep Band is a student group. We do it for the love of the game.

Also very fitting, given our overall theme.

AUPepBand · March 20, 2007, 08:31:45 AM

AUPepBand going to College(ville)

After reading Austin Murphy's "The Sweet Season" and hooking up with some Johnnies fans, including JohnnieRed via Post Patterns, Pep plans to make a trek to Collegeville, MN for St. Johns' opener with Marietta on Sept. 1, 2007.

AUPepBand is interested in participating in the Stiftungfestivities and, in general, observing the atmosphere at the D3 program that has led the nation in attendance for many years. Of course, Pep will return to Saxonville with the goal of applying at Merrill Field some of those things he has learned in College(ville).

The band, for starters, in an effort to make connections with Saxon fans, already has plans to run its "warm-up" rehearsals among the tailgaters rather than in Miller Performing Arts Center. Likewise, the band may host its own AU Pep Bandwagon Tailgate.

AUPepBand · April 04, 2007, 07:45:35 PM

AUPepBand attended an activities fair during Purple and Gold Accepted Students Day recently. Pep is happy to report he has recruited an alto sax, another sousaphone, a euphonium and another trumpet. Some good prospects for the band. Pep would like to load up this year in hopes of taking the band to the tailgaters for pre-game jams.

Ralph Turner · April 05, 2007, 10:41:31 PM

Quote from: AUPepBand on April 04, 2007, 07:45:35 PM
AUPepBand attended an activities fair during Purple and Gold Accepted Students Day recently. Pep is happy to report he has recruited an alto sax, another sousaphone, a euphonium and another trumpet. Some good prospects for the band. Pep would like to load up this year in hopes of taking the band to the tailgaters for pre-game jams.

Pep, does the AUPep Band have a drumline?

Also, a general +1 and "thank-you" for engaging D3fans on this message board concerning a vital part of the D3 college atmosphere!

AUPepBand · April 08, 2007, 01:10:30 AM

AUPepBand came close to having a drumline in 2006, but it did not materialize. A couple of seniors who wanted to start a "Percussive" group on campus were coerced into joining AU Pep Band instead with the thought they could play for a much larger audience at Merrill Field at halftime of a football game than they could muster for an individual performance.

While the band enjoyed their drumming for several games, the halftime drum performance never happened as it was difficult for the group to gather sufficient numbers for their rehearsals.

When the drummers were present, it added much to the band. When they were absent, Pep played the bass drum and we usually had someone on snare. One of my Habitatters has vowed he will join the pep band for '07 and will likely take on bass drum or another percussion instrument.

All in all, Pep is hopeful that the 2007 unit will be more of a force than ever before, with all key personnel returning and some good freshman prospects coming in. Go Saxons!

+K right back at you, Ralph Turner! Pep certainly is mindful of the difference even a small pep band can make in creating a memorable D3 football game day experience. AU fans, many parents of players, are supportive of the band and express their appreciation both by word and deed including purchasing our fashionable purple AU Pep Bandanas and adding them to their canines' wardrobes.

AUPepBand · April 15, 2007, 08:50:27 AM

NEWS FLASH....
The AU Pep Band, as a result of yesterday's Purple and Gold Day for Accepted Students at Alfred University, had at least two flutes and a trombone "sign on" to the band. Pep had to leave the activities fair early to try to catch an AU Baseball Club game at Houghton, which was, unfortunately, cancelled due to poor field conditions.

A previous fair generated interest from incoming students who play trumpet, euphonium, tuba and alto sax.

This could be a break-out year for AU Pep Band.....stay tuned!

AUPepBand · May 30, 2007, 04:42:56 PM

Pep has completed a most successful band recruiting season and is very much looking forward to another promising AU football season. Mind you, the band is still very green but has been working hard in the off-season and has actually worked up a very nice halftime routine that was videotaped during its final spring session. I offer that video for your viewing and listening enjoyment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWu-e6B2AJs

roocru · June 01, 2007, 01:41:59 AM

Quote from: AUPepBand on May 30, 2007, 04:42:56 PM
Pep has completed a most successful band recruiting season and is very much looking forward to another promising AU football season. Mind you, the band is still very green but has been working hard in the off-season and has actually worked up a very nice halftime routine that was videotaped during its final spring session. I offer that video for your viewing and listening enjoyment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWu-e6B2AJs

LMAO !! +1 to AUPepBand

K-Mack · June 19, 2007, 12:40:05 AM

Quote from: roocru on June 01, 2007, 01:41:59 AM
Quote from: AUPepBand on May 30, 2007, 04:42:56 PM
Pep has completed a most successful band recruiting season and is very much looking forward to another promising AU football season. Mind you, the band is still very green but has been working hard in the off-season and has actually worked up a very nice halftime routine that was videotaped during its final spring session. I offer that video for your viewing and listening enjoyment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWu-e6B2AJs

LMAO !! +1 to AUPepBand

I'm dumb.

(clicked on that at work)

Carthage Fan · June 21, 2007, 08:57:45 AM

I am new here and getting in on this one. For one who graduated as a music major from a now DI school and marched 200+ there is nothing like live music at football games both in the stands and at halftime.

BTW our upperclassmen were paid to stay in the marching band and we travelled to at least 1 away game each year and any playoff (back then) game if we made it.

AUPepBand · August 12, 2007, 12:36:14 AM

AU's work-study program makes it possible for those eligible for Work-Study to be paid to play in the band at the football games but to date AU Pep Band has not taken advantage of the opportunity. However, it will certainly be mentioned among the band recruits as new students arrive on campus Aug. 23.

runyr · August 12, 2007, 06:47:19 PM

Mount Union has 110-member marching band. The band has been part of home game half-time activities for a very long, long time. Partial scholarships are available for band members.
http://raider.muc.edu/Organizations/Band/

BoBo · August 12, 2007, 09:21:09 PM

Any mention of great bands has to include the UW-La Crosse Screamng Eagles. Going back to their days as the Marching Chiefs, they always seem to put 200+ on the field marching, than serving as the pep band while in the stands. They were always pretty hot. Made an annual trip to a Green Bay Packer game and an occasional Viking game I think. They also seemed to get invited to one of the major bowl game parades every couple years, too. They have their own university website here www.uwlax.edu/semb

Even the old Marching Chiefs have their own website, too www.marchingchiefs.org They are still pretty awesome as an alumni band. Whenever I get back to La Crosse for Oktoberfest, they bring the house down.

But, when talking of TBDBITL, it could very well begin and end with the University of Wisconsin Marching and Pep bands. I may be a little bias being originally from Wisconsin, but hard not to consider them in the top 3 in the nation. See them on their webpage here www.badgerband.com. They are awesome when marching, but they excell as a pep band, especially at basketball or hockey games or for jacking up the fans during pep rallies. Totally unmatched, in my view. One of the interesting things I noticed when scanning over the website is that with over 300 members in this band, only 2 are music majors. Kinda amazing, I think.

Carthage Fan · August 12, 2007, 10:15:38 PM

Quote from: BoBo on August 12, 2007, 09:21:09 PM
But, when talking of TBDBITL, it could very well begin and end with the University of Wisconsin Marching and Pep bands. I may be a little bias being originally from Wisconsin, but hard not to consider them in the top 3 in the nation. See them on their webpage here www.badgerband.com. They are awesome when marching, but they excell as a pep band, especially at basketball or hockey games or for jacking up the fans during pep rallies. Totally unmatched, in my view. One of the interesting things I noticed when scanning over the website is that with over 300 members in this band, only 2 are music majors. Kinda amazing, I think.

Normally I would agree with you about the BadgerBand but last time I heard them as they turned company front to the stands I was waiting to get my hair pasted back by the sound.....it was disappointing to say the least. Maybe it was an off year.