Pep Bands vs. Canned Music at Football Games

[AUPepBand]

That sounds like Pep's definition of a pep band...a band that interacts with the game, responding to the events on the field with appropriate responses. AU Pep Band has been accused of making AU football games a lot of fun.

[PA_wesleyfan]

Widener's pep band did a nice job the other nite. But I like pep band better at Basketball games, Reverberates better in a gym

[AUPepBand]

AU Pep Band once played at basketball games. Timing can be tough... can only play during timeouts, with some 30 secs, some 60 secs...and the band, albeit entertaining, can't be so involved in the game as in football. With football, the band can potentially play something after every single play...but not always appropriate. AU's band plays in celebration of first downs, positive turnovers or big defensive plays, as well as drive starts.

As for reverberation, AU Pep Band rocked McLane Center...but it seemed too loud, too many echoes.

[K-Mack]

Widener's pep band did a nice job the other nite. But I like pep band better at Basketball games, Reverberates better in a gym

That reminds me. Pretty sure Hampden-Sydney has a pep band.

[kickhoe]

I was a member of the "World Famous" Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band.....a very unique show band started back in 1923.  Ralph Turner's former band director, Prof Bynum was one of the original members of the Cowboy Band. 

Back when I was a member, it was an all male band.  That is no longer the case.  To me, it's just not the same!!!   

HSU brought football back in 1990, but the band did not want to do your normal marching band program at halftime.  We marched out in our normal parade formation, but performed with singers or rope/whip artists, or whoever.  It was a lot of fun.

The Cowboy Band performs in parades all over the world, rodeos, and other events. 

Being a member of that band is one of the most cherished memories that I have!!!

[kickhoe]

Oh yeah, I found this on YouTube......it is a performance at the West Texas Fair & Rodeo Parade in 2006.  At least you can see what they look like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG2x1ES6zdk

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

[Ralph Turner]

AU Pep, you will appreciate this chronology of the Cowboy Band including performances at the Democratic National Convention in 1928 and 1940 and the Eisenhower inauguration in 1953 and Nixon's in 1973 and Carter in 1977.

[kickhoe]

They also did the inauguration of GWB....the first time, I believe.

[AUPepBand]

While this is the Cowboy Band performing, this is the same song performed yesterday by the Norwich University Cadet Marching Band during a timeout. Excellent! Pep extends his kudos to the Cadet Corps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG2x1ES6zdk

[AUPepBand]

AU Pep Band's webpage, thanks to Cindy, administrator of www.alfredfootball.com, is now up!

http://www.alfredfootball.com/pep.html

Here's kudos to Pep Jr. II, who did not allow a speck on his camera lens deter him from so nicely recording the Sound of the Saxons!

[AUPepBand]

What bands will be playing in the playoffs? How cold must it get before a band says it won't play?

[GRussinko]

Hi Pep,

Reviving this one from the lands of the dead but I just found this thread while browsing through the depths of the internet and figured I'd drop a line - I'm one of the current managers of the previously-mentioned RPI Pep Band.  While we primarily focus on hockey (as we're D1 in both men's and women's hockey) we do perform at our home football games, the annual Duchmen's Shoes game between RPI and Union (be it in Troy or Schenectady) and try to travel for playoffs when schedules and funding allow it.

Over the past few years we average about 30 performers at football games - this year it was closer to 50 with a large incoming class.  We'll play regardless of weather for the most part as we're situated under an overhang on our engineering building (which overlooks the field).  If it's particularly cold we do sometimes curtail how much we play and stick mostly to drums and yelling (nobody wants a trumpet frozen to their lips).

We usually play a few full-length tunes during the pregame and halftime, as well as our alma mater during halftime.  During the game we play short cheers and spend a lot of time yelling, plus the fight song whenever we score (and at the start/end of each half as well, along with Loony Tunes when the opposing team hits the field).

We've been completely student-managed and directed since the '70s, and have been performing on campus since the '20s.  If you have any specific questions you want to ask, I'd be happy to chat by email (the one in my profile here works to get in touch with me)

[crufootball]

The UMHB played at our 2nd round playoff game against NCW. Probably wouldnt be considered too cold for most, but it was in the upper 30's and raining the entire game. Even though we won, it was by far the most miserbale game I have been through. I was shocked to see the band stay the entire game and perform at halftime.

[AUPepBand]

Pep would like to put to rest right here and right now any rumors that the Alfred University Pep Band was named "D3 Pep Band of the Year" for the 2007 season. To Pep's knowledge, no such recognition exists.

Pep has been approached by several persons in recent weeks who have congratulated Pep on the AU Pep Band's winning a "national award."

Pep would also like to state as a matter of fact that the band never was named "ECAC Pep Band of the Week," contrary to what one may have heard announced at an AU football game at Merrill Field. Once again, Pep is unaware of any means whereby pep bands earn honors during the football season.

It was all a hoax!

There, now Pep feels much better. Confession, indeed, is good for the soul.

Merry Christmas....and stay tuned!

On Saxon Warriors!

[ADL70]

Pep- As I recall the origins of your group, are you aware that this is National Kazoo Day?  According to MSN, it's "Promoting the use of kazoos as therapy for certain illness sufferers."  And as I'm sure you're aware the manufacture of kazoos began in Western NY.