Since the University Pep Band left the varsity sports scene two years ago, their presence continues to show around Grounds, and they are still an active part of the University community.
In the past few years, their focus has shifted from football and basketball to playing for a variety of sports, charities and alumni events.
The Pep Band recently performed at a Washington Capitals NHL game in January. Last September, the Pep Band became the first scramble band to perform at a Major League Baseball game when it played for the Washington Nationals.
While the Pep Band is first a University band, members said they do appreciate being able to play at outside events.
"The relationship between the band and the Washington Capitals is a good one, and I hope we can continue to work together and play at one or two games a season," third-year Pep Band member Steve Rekant said.
Although the Pep Band attended a variety of non-University events, they have not appeared at a football game in Scott Stadium since 2003.
History
The Virginia Pep Band has been active at the University since 1974, when it first performed as a "scramble band" at Scott Stadium during the football halftime show. The Pep Band played at various sporting events, even traveling with the football team. In addition, the band was the largest of Division I schools'. At the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl, the Pep Band performed a parody of "The Bachelor,' which created a stir. According to Pep Band alumnus David Black, in the parody, a West Virginia University woman and University woman vied for the attention of a University man. The WVU imitator was dressed in pigtails, overalls and spoke of big dreams of moving to Beverly Hills, Calif., in reference to "The Beverly Hillbillies."
The halftime show angered some West Virginia fans, students, alumni and, notably, the West Virginia governor.
"The Pep Band's halftime controversies were unfortunate and unintentional," Black said. "In my day, we inadvertently ruffled feathers when we were really just pursuing good old 'college fun.'"
After the West Virginia game, the athletic department attempted to take control of the Pep Band program. The Pep Band chose to remain student-run, which led to the eventual dissollution of the relationship between the athletic department and the Pep Band.
In 2004, the Student Council voted, in a compromise, to allow the newly-formed marching band play at sporting events such as football and basketball. The Pep Band would have been permitted to perform at events such as lacrosse and soccer. This decision, however, was rejected by the athletic department and the Pep Band was barred from all varsity sports events.
While the Student Council decision might have created rivalry between the Pep and Marching bands, Pep Band director Caitlin Vogus disagrees.
"The Pep Band thinks the marching band is doing a wonderful job, but we also think there's room for two bands at U.Va.," Vogus said. "The Pep Band is a good alternative for students who want less of a time commitment but still want to have a great time supporting U.Va athletics and experiencing the student self-governance that U.Va is all about."
Dave Black, the creator of the Friends of the Virginia Pep Band group, which raises money for the Pep Band, said, "The Pep Band alumni continue to believe that a compromise arrangement where the marching band and the Pep Band work together to support a broad range of varsity sports is in the best interests of the University. We think that Bill Pease and his band are doing a great job at football and basketball games. We believe that the marching band and the Pep Band should create synergy, not rivalry."
Pep Band Today
These days, due to the change in the Pep Band's status at the University, funding comes from sources outside of the University. Band alumni created a Website, Friends of the Virginia Pep Band, to raise money for the band. The Website contains a history of the Pep Band, performance details and information about donations.
The group now holds private performances for donations -- mostly for alumni, Black said. They have performed at birthday parties, American Cancer Society benefits, Alumni Hall functions and for the United Way, among others.
"The Pep Band continues to show great enthusiasm and dedication to U.Va.'s student athletes," Black said. "Last weekend, the Pep Band played at a men's club ice hockey game at 10 p.m. on Friday night and at a women's club ice hockey game at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. The Pep Band plays for other club sports like men's and women's rugby. The Pep Band also plays for tailgaters outside of Scott Stadium before home football games."
Recently, the Virginia Pep Band has performed at a variety of sporting events and at local Charlottesville events, including at the Kluge Children's Hospital and the Charlottesville 10-miler. Next fall, the Pep Band will perform during the University Homecoming game.
"For the future of the Pep Band, I see the group continuing to have a great time playing at club sports, other community events and larger events like performances for the Washington Nationals and Capitals," Vogus said. "Eventually we'd love to support U.Va. non-revenue varsity sports, but until then we're happy to stick with cheering on the hockey and rugby teams and adding enthusiasm wherever we're invited."
During spring break, the Pep Band is going to Columbia University, where they'll perform with Princeton University and Columbia, who also have scramble bands. According to Vogus, these events are an opportunity for bands to learn from each other and play with other scramble bands.
"I want to play at venues where we are welcome and where our music can make a positive impact, especially hockey, rugby and other events we have played at in the past," fourth-year Pep Band member Annie Infantino said.
Members of the band believe that there is room for both marching and pep bands at the University.
"The Pep Band and the marching band need not be mutually exclusive," Black said. "Its not an either/or proposition. The two groups can fill distinctive niches and expand the overall musical support for U.Va.'s varsity teams."
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