SDA Pep Band Debuts at Field Hockey Game

The SDA music department has branched out and created a pep band. This newly assembled ensemble made its debut on Oct. 6 for the varsity girls field hockey game against La Costa Canyon High School.

The pep band’s goal is to support and provide additional excitement to SDA’s athletic teams. Therefore, they mainly perform pop tunes (ranging from classic hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” to more recent songs like “Uptown Funk”) and other high-energy pieces of band repertoire such as “Safety Dance.” In addition to instruments found in a concert band, the pep band also incorporates a myriad of instruments typically found in rock groups, including electric guitar, electric bass and drum set. Prior to the game, the pep band also played the national anthem.

The pep band, which is a student-run extracurricular, rehearses weekly and prepares tunes to play during sports events. Seniors Austin Dilley and Yoni Kruvi, and junior Sam Goldsmith, have taken charge and are directing the pep band. The band has about 25 members and is growing in popularity amongst SDA music students.

Ever since the concluding chapters of our once-existent marching band, which was a part of SDA culture many years ago, the music program has focused on its two wind ensembles. However, last year, they had requests from several sports teams that wished to add additional excitement to their events through music.

As a result, the idea of having a pep band was raised during a student band council meeting last spring. It gained immediate support and enthusiasm from students and became a priority as this school year began.

Junior Lila Welsh, who plays French horn for the pep band, said that their first game “went really well…. [and that] people enjoyed listening to the pep band.” She concluded that the event was an overall success for the band and looks forward to many more in the near future.