UAF Pep Band rocks the house
November 14, 2011
If you’ve ever been to a UAF hockey game most likely you’ve heard the rousing renditions of popular music provided by the UAF Pep Band. Around 50 students are members of the band; 30 – 35 of them play at particular events. About half of the members are music majors, the rest are students who can play an instrument and want to join the fun.
The Pep Band plays for all of the home hockey games, and some home games at the Patty Center for women's volleyball, and women's and men's basketball. In the summer faculty advisor Karen Gustafson organizes a marching band to participate in the Golden Days Parade.
Gustafson says the Golden Days parade band is not limited to students and invites musicians from local middle and high schools as well as community members to participate.
Students in the band play brass, woodwinds, electric guitars, bass guitars and percussion. They play tunes from a typical marching band playlist as well as rock and jazz tunes and movie themes like Star Wars. Their director this year is music grad student Chris Rose, who leads the Pep Band as part of his teaching assistantship.
The UAF Pep Band was started by James Bicigo of the Music Department in 2001. Students who audition and are accepted into the Pep Band receive a $500 scholarship. Funding for supplies like sheet music comes from the Chancellor’s Office.
For more information contact Karen Gustafson at 474-5004 or kagustafson2@alaska.edu, or check out the band’s Facebook page at Nanook Pep Band.