2008 Woodie Awards
WU pep band would infuse spirit into sports games
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
"The Hey Song," "Tequila," "Come Out and Play" - you won't hear any of these upbeat victory tunes drifting from Webster University's Grant Gymnasium, no matter how well our sports teams are doing, because WU doesn't have a pep band.
Serious music students would rather pour their abilities into serious music outlets instead of playing background music for a sports team, said music professor Allen Larson. For those students, the university offers Jazz Ensembles, Big Band, Mini Big Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, New Music Ensemble and Chamber Music Ensembles in addition to several vocal groups. And for contemporary rockers and rappers, First Fridays is an ideal environment to strut their stuff.
But for some students, music is not a concentration, but a hobby. There are plenty of non-music majors who are proficient musicians, aren't in a band and don't have a suitable venue for their abilities. Or perhaps there are music students who love music so much they want every opportunity possible to showcase their passion.
A pep band could be the answer. Not only would it benefit these students, but it would benefit the university as a whole. Like WU, most Division III schools do not have pep bands, said Tom Hart, director of athletics. Starting one would give WU a unique edge above other area universities.
People commonly listen to music to put themselves in a certain mood, whether to calm their nerves before an exam, to help them sleep or to get themselves psyched up before a big game. While a dedicated team would play its hardest with or without the presence of a band, a band could still serve as a morale-booster for both Gorloks and spectators (and maybe even intimidate opposing teams if it's hard-core enough) - in other words, do exactly what its name promises by putting a little extra "pep" in our Gorloks' step. While one can only speculate as to whether having a band would draw more fans to sports games, extra support for the teams and an increased enthusiasm level in the room can't hurt.
Hart is in his 16th year at the university. In his first year, the then-athletic director was working in conjunction with the music department to start a pep band, but it fell through. Hart hasn't been approached with the idea since then. It is time to dig up this dormant idea. Even WU's non-existent football team gets recognition. The campus bookstore sells shirts that read, "Webster Football, Undefeated Since 1915." At the very least, we could pay homage to our missing pep band. After all, it hasn't missed a beat since 1915.
Serious music students would rather pour their abilities into serious music outlets instead of playing background music for a sports team, said music professor Allen Larson. For those students, the university offers Jazz Ensembles, Big Band, Mini Big Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, New Music Ensemble and Chamber Music Ensembles in addition to several vocal groups. And for contemporary rockers and rappers, First Fridays is an ideal environment to strut their stuff.
But for some students, music is not a concentration, but a hobby. There are plenty of non-music majors who are proficient musicians, aren't in a band and don't have a suitable venue for their abilities. Or perhaps there are music students who love music so much they want every opportunity possible to showcase their passion.
A pep band could be the answer. Not only would it benefit these students, but it would benefit the university as a whole. Like WU, most Division III schools do not have pep bands, said Tom Hart, director of athletics. Starting one would give WU a unique edge above other area universities.
People commonly listen to music to put themselves in a certain mood, whether to calm their nerves before an exam, to help them sleep or to get themselves psyched up before a big game. While a dedicated team would play its hardest with or without the presence of a band, a band could still serve as a morale-booster for both Gorloks and spectators (and maybe even intimidate opposing teams if it's hard-core enough) - in other words, do exactly what its name promises by putting a little extra "pep" in our Gorloks' step. While one can only speculate as to whether having a band would draw more fans to sports games, extra support for the teams and an increased enthusiasm level in the room can't hurt.
Hart is in his 16th year at the university. In his first year, the then-athletic director was working in conjunction with the music department to start a pep band, but it fell through. Hart hasn't been approached with the idea since then. It is time to dig up this dormant idea. Even WU's non-existent football team gets recognition. The campus bookstore sells shirts that read, "Webster Football, Undefeated Since 1915." At the very least, we could pay homage to our missing pep band. After all, it hasn't missed a beat since 1915.
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