New pep band encourages school spirit and pride on campus

11/05/2015

By Marissa Bean

Bridgewater State University (BSU) is putting a little pep in its step.

The BSU pep band has returned to campus after a long hiatus, and it debuted at Homecoming last month.

A pep band is a student band that is present at sporting events to raise the audience’s school spirit and get the audience actively involved.

There was a lot of support for the pep band before it even formed.

Dr. Spencer Aston, director of the pep band, said “The chair of the music department, Dr. Donald Running has been interested in starting a pep band here at BSU for several years. President Clark was also in favor of starting this ensemble to help raise the level of pride in university events. With their help and support, the BSU pep band came to fruition.”

Paula Krebs, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was also helpful in forming the pep band, according to Aston.

There are presently 25 members of the pep band, according to Aston, and the ensemble includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.

The pep band’s debut at Homecoming was a successful one.

Aston said the debut was “a lot of fun. We have some great students who are dedicated to this school and to their instrument. Our hope is that our presence at these events is one that is welcomed by the fans and also welcoming for them to join us in the atmosphere of the moment.”

Since the pep band is new to campus, it will only be present at a few events this year, but Aston is hoping to change that next year.

“For 2015-16 we are focusing on 2 home football games and several men’s and women’s basketball games,” Aston said. “Our hope is to grow interest in the group and expand to more events next year.”

The pep band has one specific purpose, and the Bridgewater community is encouraged to join in.

“We are here to raise school spirit and pride in the events we have on campus,” Aston said. “Feel free to join us in cheering and dancing along whenever you see us!”

Students interested in joining the pep band can email Director Dr. Spencer Aston at Spencer.Aston@bridgew.edu.

Marissa Bean is the Campus Life editor for The Comment. Follow her on Twitter @MarLaur16.