Pep bands are specialized musical groups whose goals are to promote school spirit, entertain spectators at school sporting events, and motivate students. Pep bands are generally found in colleges and schools, such as middle and high schools, to support their football, basketball, and other athletic teams. Many pep bands are organized into clubs, with officers such as president, vice president, and treasurer.
The goal of a pep band is to energise students during games and game-related events such as pep rallies. Pep bands can sometimes provide a measure of crowd control through the music they play. Another goal is to entertain game attendees before and after the game, which can also be used to control the crowd.
A pep band usually performs longer pieces of music before the game, during any intermission or long break, and as the crowd exits the facility after the game. Cheers are shorter, more upbeat pieces that the band performs during the event. During their rehearsal meetings, bands choose the music pieces.
Ball games and pep rallies are two events where pep bands frequently perform. Pep bands frequently enter floats in homecoming or other parades to provide musical entertainment for parade spectators. They occasionally perform at other school-sponsored events. The band’s main goal is to promote school spirit, and to achieve this goal, the band may participate in a variety of events.
Pep band members frequently perform at more events than other school bands. During a typical week, the band may perform at several different games. The typical concert band, on the other hand, only performs a few times per year. During the regular season, pep bands perform at every home game, and they also travel to away games for tournaments and other important games.
Unlike other school bands, the pep band usually has a more laid-back attitude. Uniforms can be made up of matching shirts and jeans, such as inexpensive T-shirts. Members are frequently required to provide their own musical instruments. Larger schools’ pep bands may have more resources and may be able to provide instruments. Band members frequently hold fundraisers to raise funds for out-of-town trips and other obligations.
Members of a pep band are usually chosen from other school bands. Bands may occasionally recruit members from the faculty, alumni, or community, particularly if the school is small and the options are limited. The conductor is frequently a senior with prior pep band experience.