Pep Band Policies

Boston University Pep Band

Registration and rehearsal information:

CFA MU 093/CFA MU 193
0 credits/1 credit
Thursday 6:00-7:30 pm
BU Band Room
278 Babcock St

Instructor: Aaron Goldberg
Office: CFA Room B05
Office Hours: By appointment
Office Phone Number: 617-358-BAND (2263)
E-Mail: agold@bu.edu

Prerequisites

A working knowledge of music notation and the ability to perform on a chosen instrument.

Course Description/Requirements

The Boston University Pep Band is a performance ensemble, with its members serving as Ambassadors to Boston University. This ensemble performs at all home Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey, and Men’s and Women’s Basketball games. The Pep Band also does special performances at several other on-0campus sporting events including Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s softball, and the America East Swimming Championships.  The Band also travels to tournament and playoff games for Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey and Basketball.

Students enrolling in this course shall learn a selection of songs to be performed during all events and to successfully interpret the music to affect an audience. Students are exposed to select, specially arranged literature, designed for this particular idiom, drawn from various musical genres.

Individuals will be challenged to successfully perform on stages of varying size and response, in ever-changing climates, on their instrument of choice. Specific ensemble focus will be placed tempo and timing difficulties with respect to the stage, adjusting for various arenas’ unique acoustics, and the climate’s affect on instruments.

This course is open to music majors and non-music majors.

Goals and Objectives

Through rehearsal and performance of required works, students will develop artistic and appropriate idiomatic interpretive musical skills. Additional focus is given to the development of ensemble concepts of balance, intonation, and rhythmic accuracy.  Our job at games and events is to positively support the teams and influence the crowd to do the same. The band does not participate in unsportsmanlike, derogatory, or profane activity and cheers together, not as individuals.

Registration

All members must register with the University Registrar for CFA MU 093 for zero credits. If you wish to receive credit for Pep Band, then also register for CFA MU 193 for 1.0 credit in addition to CFA MU 091 for zero credit.

Grading and Attendance

Grading will be based on attendance, preparation of music, performance, and attitude. The Pep Band is divided into two color bands, and students will be assigned to one of them, based on balance and instrumentation. You are expected to go to all the games of the color band to which you are assigned, all scheduled rehearsals, and all Full Band games. You are also welcome to attend all games of the other color band and all break games.  In the event that you must miss all or part of a scheduled event (including a rehearsal) you must fill out the absence request web form at least 24 hours before a rehearsal or performance.  Completion of this form does not automatically excuse you from the event; the Director of Athletic Bands is the only person who can excuse you from a Pep Band event.  Please note that for all games, you must find a substitute who is in your section to attend the game on your behalf. Also, please keep in mind that missing rehearsal for study is not an acceptable excuse. Part of your commitment to the band is being able to plan your study schedule around the band schedule.

Schedule

The BU Pep Band schedule can be found online at http://www.bu.edu/bands/calendars/pep-band-calendar/.  From there, students can access links to subscribe to the Google Calendar.  There will be no printed calendar for pep band.  The Google Calendar allows us to stay up-to-date and removes the confusion caused by revising paper calendars.  For detailed information on an event, simply click on the title of the Google Calendar.

Instruments

The Boston University Bands provides instruments to members of the Pep Ban. Instruments are issued by contract at the beginning of each semester and are checked in at the conclusion of each semester. Students must be officially enrolled in Pep Band for an instrument to be issued. Failure to check-in an instrument by the designated date will result in a hold being placed on the student’s account and a failing grade for the course.

Please remember that you are responsible for any loss or damages beyond normal wear to an instrument signed out to you. All instruments will be kept in closed, latched cases and stored in your locker, which must be kept locked at all times.  Your locker should only be used for the storage of band related materials.

If you own your own instrument and are in need of a locker, please see the Band Office.

Uniforms

All members of the BU Pep Band will be required to purchase a uniform shirt.  This uniform shirt will be worn at all games tucked into black pants.  The one time cost of the shirt is $40.  Additional shirts may be purchased if supply allows.

Special Events/Select Bands

Special events, such as post-season tournaments, are often subject to a limited band size.  For all special events, webforms will be posted on www.bu.edu/bands.  It is imperative for all members to fill out forms, either with a positive or negative answer, as soon as possible so that we may properly plan for these events. The instrumentation of the band is at the discretion of the Director of Athletic Bands. Priority for the Special Events/Select Band is arranged to ensure that the band is well staffed and balanced. Several factors used to determine participation in the Special Events/Select Band including,  proficiency/aptitude, positive participation/attitude, and the point system as defined below. In the event of a tie, preference will be given to those who made themselves available for Break Games.

Points System

The point system is designed to provide a tool for the director to help select band members for the Special Events/Select Bands. Points are awarded based on attendance, seniority, and participation with other BU music ensembles, using the following scale. Game/Rehearsal points are only awarded for the instrument for which a member is registered.

Base Points (Maximum = 45)

  • Participation in any previous years’ Pep Band:
    • 5 points/year
  • Participation in this year’s BU Marching Band:
    • 20 Points
  • Participation in other BU Instrumental Music Ensembles (per semester this academic year):
    • 3 Points

Game/Rehearsal Points

  • Game attended, your color or break:
    • 4 points
  • Game attended, opposite color:
    • 2 points
  • Late for game, your color:
    • 2 points
  • Late for game, opposite color or break:
    • 1 point
  • Failure to notify of absence for games or rehearsals:
    • -3 points
  • Each rehearsal attended:
    • 4 points

Definitions

  • Break Game: any game occurring while school is not in session.
  • Class Conflict: if you are late to a game due to class conflict, there will be no penalty provided that
    • a) you arrive within 30 minutes of the end of your class, and
    • b) you arrive prior to halftime (basketball) or the first intermission (hockey).
  • Failure to notify of absence: inability to notify the BUMO office of an absence by 4:00 PM the day of a weekday game, or by 4:00 PM the preceding Friday for a weekend game (proper notificationresults in zero points awarded and zero penalty points)
  • Full Band: games or events for which the members of both color bands are expected.
  • Late: not prepared to play on the downbeat at the call time (usually 40 minutes prior to beginning of game). No points are given when arriving after halftime (basketball) or after the first intermission (hockey) begins.
  • Opposite Color: a game scheduled for the band other than the one to which you are assigned
  • Special Event: any Band event not scheduled for a red or white band
  • Your Color: a game scheduled for your band

Travel

During the entire duration of any trip, every member of the BU Bands is an official representative of Boston University and is expected to act accordingly.

Travel Procedures

  • You will sign up in advance for a bus seat and room (overnight trips). Only you may sign up for a room, do not sign up for other people. Sign ups will be posted before any travel events.
  • Many people use the bus trip to sleep or study. Everyone on the buses must be mindful of this and act accordingly.
  • The buses do not wait for anyone; if you are late for a bus, you will be left behind. This, however, does not relieve you of your performance responsibilities for the trip, it only makes transportation your problem. Find a ride and catch up.

Facility

The Boston University Band room is our home, so please treat it with the utmost respect.  Feel free to use the Band Room for work or studying but always leave it cleaner than when you arrived.  Anyone caught defacing equipment, walls, or lockers, or in any way dong harm to the room will be removed from the program and subject to university disciplinary action.

The large rehearsal area is a shared room with other university programs. You need always leave the room in a better condition than you found it and be aware that it is a shared space. You must be respectful of the other programs.

Food and beverage may be consumed in the band room as long as the room remains clean and all food items (including wrappers and bags) are disposed of properly.

Use of the facility is prohibited between the hours of 10:00pm and 8:00am unless preparing for a scheduled band event; there are no exceptions.

Keys

Anyone found with unauthorized keys to the band room will be immediately removed from the program and will be subject to University disciplinary action.

Discipline

We have very few discipline problems in this band because of the quality people in it. Our members’ pride is built on superior performance, self-discipline, hard work, a genuine respect for other people, and high standards of personal conduct.  As a member of this band, it is your responsibility not only to maintain these standards, but also to help raise them. The only kind of discipline that really works is self-discipline. You are being treated like a mature, responsible person; take this seriously and be sure that your actions always justify our confidence and trust in you.

Personal Performance and Positive Participation

Your effort to make a positive contribution to the group over the course of the entire season is key to the success and growth of our program. Positive attitudes are expected at rehearsals, during performances, on the buses, on trips, etc.

Anytime you are at an event as a member of the Boston University Bands, you are a representative of not only the Bands, but also Boston University.  Please conduct yourself in a professional manner; use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated

In the event that a member exerts a negative effect on the band (in any aspect), the following measures will be taken:

1. Discussion of the problem with the student.

If the problem continues, or reoccurs:

2. Clear written warning.

If the problem continues, or reoccurs:

3. Expulsion from the band and possible university action.

In certain circumstances it may be necessary to take immediate and decisive action as there are cases where a warning is insufficient. In case of that type of situation, expulsion from band and University action will be pursued immediately.

Alcohol/Drug Policy

In accordance with University policy, the use of any illegal substances is prohibited during any time the band is gathered for a function (ie. rehearsals, performances, buses, trips, etc.)  Failure to comply with this policy will mean dismissal from the Band. This policy is a University policy and if you do not adhere to it, you could also face disciplinary action from the University.