Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

I've heard the same at RPI, so if it's not true, it's at least a rumor that has spread outside of Potsdam.

Haven't seen any of the RPI band regulars chime in yet, so I"ll jump in. We're an all-volunteer band that plays for both football and men's and women's hockey, although the main focus for most people is on men's hockey. We generally get 15-25ish for football and women's hockey, and 30-40ish (very rough numbers) for men's games. Instead of seats set aside in the student section like many rinks, we have a stage at one end of the ice - this is nice in that it gives us more flexibility for seating arrangements and a bit more room for games like the Big Red Freakout, where we'll often get 100+ current band members and alums.

As for recruiting - back in the 80's (I think), the band's student managers would send out letters to any incoming freshmen who had indicated that they played an instrument during the summer. This apparently worked pretty well at the time, although we don't do anything like it anymore. (However, this would be much easier now with email and databases of the incoming freshmen.)

I found, during my four years in the band, that the problem wasn't getting people to the first rehearsal. We'd often have 60+ people show up that first week. Instead, the problem often was getting all those people to come back for the next week, and remain active in the band over time. It seemed like we had better luck with this when the older members would get to know the new folks, and helped them learn the music and the band's traditions. Without some explanation of why certain things are happening, a first rehearsal with the band can probably be intimidating - this way, they at least get an explanation for all of the shouting, etc.

Not to mention, GoDanGo, the appeal given the venue... you get to play on the same stage as Bon Jovi has played on! Also other big names, some of which I won't mention because they are rather forgettable.

Numbers definitely dwindle, although I think it also has to do with how the team fares. Yes, there are those big games, but aside from that, it's usually a decent turnout.

Also, as to when you're allowed to play your Alma Mater, you can thank us for that.

Being in America's Pep Band has been a terrific experience, and I always enjoy coming back for alumni nights, and if they're shorthanded at Lynah or Starr.

 

[Rockchops]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

More than you ever actually wanted to know about the RPI Pep Band

http://apbwiki.rpipepbandalumni.org/Main_Page
http://pepband.union.rpi.edu/

 

[Twitch Boy]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

More than you ever actually wanted to know about the RPI Pep Band

http://apbwiki.rpipepbandalumni.org/Main_Page
http://pepband.union.rpi.edu/

Are you guys coming down for GLI?

 

[Yager]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

I found, during my four years in the band, that the problem wasn't getting people to the first rehearsal. We'd often have 60+ people show up that first week. Instead, the problem often was getting all those people to come back for the next week, and remain active in the band over time.

One thing that helps Tech's band out a lot is that almost every single band member, at one point, enrolls in the class for Pep Band and, therefore, are required to go to a certain amount of events in order to get the credit. And those that stick around after taking it for credit usually enjoy it enough to want to go to the events. But the amount of organization of planning and taking attendance at events really makes it possible. Oh and, plus, Pep Banders just want to wear the stripes so they'll do anything to have them.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

Are you guys coming down for GLI?

The band will not officially be going, however a group of band alumni will be going to the games.

 

[Yager]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

The band will not officially be going, however a group of band alumni will be going to the games.

Oh god, not another Alumni band. I love Michigan but their Alumni band needs to be shot. They are pretty much only able to play The Victors and one clap along thing during play.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Growing D-I Hockey Pep Band Size and Budgets

Oh god, not another Alumni band. I love Michigan but their Alumni band needs to be shot. They are pretty much only able to play The Victors and one clap along thing during play.

Oh, that's not just the regular band?

I was at the Michigan/Niagara game a couple years back, and aside from period breaks and anthems, the only two things they ever played were "The Victors" and "Band Room Riff".

All I said was that alumni band members will be going. I know nothing about instrumentation in tow, although they did so for the Tampa tournament a couple years back.