Athletic Bands

The BU Athletic Bands consist of the Marching Band, Pep Band, Winter Percussion Ensemble and the Scarlet Band.

There are over 400 members on the BU Bands’ rosters from more than 20 states and representing almost every college on BU’s campus. All of the groups provide fun and exciting ways for the non-music major to still participate in the band experience while pursuing degrees in other disciplines.

The bands perform for over 200,000 people at close to 100 events each year. In addition to performances on campus, the bands travel often for shows, competitions and tournaments.

The Boston University Marching Band is a group of over one hundred academically driven students with a passion for music, spirit, and community. The band provides the opportunity to continue making music and to be a part of an exciting, dynamic organization. Nearly every college within the university is represented. Performing in numerous exhibition shows all over New England, the Band is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

A component of the Marching Band, the Pep Band is an essential part of the Boston University athletic tradition and is the powerful, driving force behind the spirit and fan rituals at all home men’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball games. Numbering over one hundred members, this band provides a high-energy way to stay involved in the athletic band program well into the second semester. The 2008-2009 BU Pep Band performed for over 250,000 fans in five different states including the National Championship Hockey game in Washington, DC.

The Winter Percussion Ensemble is an indoor competitive group that was formed in 2005. The group also performs at various campus events after Marching season concludes. The Boston University Winter Percussion Ensemble competes in the Winter Guard International and New England Scholastic Band Association circuits in the Independent Open class. The 2008 BU Winter Percussion Ensemble placed 4th at the World Championships in Dayton, OH and has been named the  New England Scholastic Band Association Champion.

All of the athletic bands are a part of the Marching Band program and participation in the Marching Band is strongly encouraged for anyone interested in performing with any of the other groups.

Academics are the top priority for every member of the BU Band program. All of the ensembles were created with the non-music major’s schedule and vigorous academics commitments in mind. It is not only possible to succeed academically while participating in the BU Band program, but many of our members excel academically during the busier band seasons.