The EMU Pep Band fires up the crowd at an athletics event in Yoder Arena. Professor David Berry (left) and jazz band director Robert Curry (not shown here) have both been involved in making band involvement a one-credit course. (Photos by Kiana Childress)

Earn credits for raising the roof with EMU’s Pep Band

by Randi B. Hagi

Spectators and athletes during the final men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball home games of the 2019-20 season enjoyed a rare treat. In the stands, pumping up the atmosphere in Yoder Arena, saxophone and cymbals screaming 鈥� the Royals Pep Band.

鈥淭he students really enjoyed the experience, and the crowd appreciated the energy it added to the atmosphere in the arena,鈥� said Professor David Berry, who leads the group along with jazz band director Robert Curry.

Fall semester 2020 will be the first time students playing in the pep band will be eligible for an academic credit since the band formed in 2015.

鈥淥ur goal is for this to be the coolest, most swinging, most fun pep band EMU has ever seen!鈥� Berry said.

Interdisciplinary music major and pep band member Amanda Kibler enjoyed getting to wail on the snare drum to the tune of 鈥淪even Nation Army,鈥� originally by the White Stripes, in the band before EMU moved classes online this spring. She also plays violin, piano, other percussion instruments, and a 鈥渓ittle bit鈥� of trumpet, guitar, ukulele, and double bass. 

The EMU Pep Band at the final home women’s basketball game.

鈥淚f you want to get involved in both music and spreading school spirit, this is the place for it,鈥� Kibler said. 鈥淵ou get to jam out during timeouts and pump up our players.鈥�

Computer science major Josh Ayers called it a fun, 鈥渧ery high energy experience.鈥� He plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. 鈥淕etting to play something different than concert-based music is nice,鈥� he said.

The aptly-named Rachel Lute, an early childhood education major, plays cymbals in the pep band as well as flute. She performed in marching band in high school.

Her favorite pep band song to jam out to? 鈥淐razy Train!鈥�

Director of Athletics Dave King hopes to see the band grow 鈥� maybe making it out to soccer and lacrosse games someday. 

鈥淥ur dream has always been to have a pep band that played at home basketball games and would be available for other special events on campus such as Homecoming and LovEMU Day,鈥� King said. 鈥淚 understand it will take time to get there, but I believe there is potential.鈥�