UAlbany's new spirit booster -- the Pep Band debuts

Not since Professor Harold Hill organized his boys� band in Meredith Wilson�s The Music Man has there been such excitement surrounding the formation of a group of musicians � at least on UAlbany�s campus. Last fall the call went out to the University community for anyone who had experience playing a band instrument to sign up for a new UAlbany Pep Band. The hope was to attract at least 15 to 20 people who had a high school level instrumental proficiency. The idea obviously struck a chord � the informational meeting in December drew nearly 50 enthusiastic musicians � all ready to sign up.

The group is a mix of both students and staff. Some students are music majors, others are very talented freshmen just out of their high school bands. Still others like drummer Jerome Garrett aren�t music majors, but have extensive music backgrounds. Garrett can tickle the ivories as well as handle the sticks.

Several UAlbany staff members like Carolyn Malloch, a Learning Disability Specialist in the Department of Student Life, decided to dust off their instruments and do their part to boost UAlbany�s spirit quotient. Carolyn plays tenor trombone and joined the Pep Band because she enjoyed playing in high school and the challenge of re-developing playing skills. �It�s been 33 years since I played on a regular basis, but those great memories of my prior band experience (she won 9 first division ratings in high school playing trombone) motivated me to devote the time to practice. Plus, joining the Pep Band just sounded like fun!�

Pep Band flutist and also Associate Vice President of the University�s Office of Media & Marketing, Catherine Herman attended a big 12 University where the pep band played an important role on campus. �As our Division I athletics program matures, I can�t wait to look back and say, �I was an original member of the University�s first all-volunteer pep band.��

The band is under the direction of University adjunct instructor, Kevin Champagne. No stranger to Pep Bands, Champagne has been teaching at Lansingburg High School for 16 years. �I have taught band at all levels, including marching band, pep band, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, percussion ensemble, guitar ensemble, and pit orchestra. At UAlbany I now have the Symphonic Band, Pep Band, and two conducting students. I love the college atmosphere, and I�m looking forward to adding to it with the pep band.�

Donning their new purple and gold monogrammed rugby shirts and belting out their repertoire of up-tempo songs such as Mony Mony, Hot Hot Hot, Mambo #5 and the theme from Hawaii Five-O, UAlbany�s hotter-than-hot Pep Band will debut at the women�s and men�s basketball games at the Big Purple Growl on February 7th.  

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