Pep Band Member Page

Welcome to the Boston University Pep Band!!

We’re excited to get going for Fall 2026, and we’re glad you’re aboard. We have a fun year of music, spirit & community in store!

We loan instruments and lockers for free, but purchasing a uniform shirt and providing your own black pants is on you (see below). Brass players should play a silver instrument, Saxes should play a standard gold instrument. etc. Please request one if you need one – you can even request a locker in the Band Room. All of this is on the Join Form below.

HAVEN’T JOINED YET?

Complete the Join Form to provide us with your info and officially be added to the Band roster.

HOW DOES PEP BAND WORK?

Though some events are for the Full Band (like rehearsals and big games), most performances are only for half the Band: we split the Pep Band into two bands (Red & White) and rotate them through performances. If you ever have to miss one of your color band’s performances, simply get someone in your section from the opposite-color band to sub for you, and you’re all set! Every band member does this, usually multiple times per semester, and it’s what helps keep your participation in Band balanced. Just be sure to sub for others when you can! It’s what keeps our system working.

Band members earn “attendance points” by doing extra. “Extra” includes subbing for others, coming to opposite color band games when you can/want to, and signing up for “Select Band” gigs (usually non-sports performances that are booked throughout the semester). Band members with the highest attendance point totals in their section are then put in the running to travel with our teams for playoffs – sometimes a bus trip, but often a flight with hotels and meals provided – lots of fun! We also award prizes for point leaders in each section at the end-of-year Banquet each Spring.

Here’s how to prepare for the start of Pep Band:

MARK REHEARSALS IN YOUR CALENDAR 

First Rehearsal: Friday, September 4

  • Location: BU Band Room – 300 Babcock St. (entrance is 100-feet down Ashford St. side of Building)
  • 5:30-6:00 PM – Open time to retrieve your loaner instruments and lockers
  • 6:15-7:30 PM – Welcome Meeting & First Rehearsal
  • 7:30-8:00 PM – Section Time, Welcome New Members

If you need to request a late arrival due to class, please email Aaron Goldberg, Director of Athletic Bands (agold@bu.edu)

Second Rehearsal: Friday, September 11

  • Location: BU Band Room – 300 Babcock St. (entrance is 100-feet down Ashford St. side of Building)
  • 6:15-7:45 PM – Rehearsal

“Pep Band Day”: Sunday, September 13

  • Location: BU Band Room – 300 Babcock St. (entrance is 100-feet down Ashford St. side of Building)
    • We will move to a second location halfway through rehearsal, after break
  • 10:00 AM-3:00 PM, with breaks – Rehearsal, section time, and more. (This time was updated 8/14)

Remaining Rehearsals:

  • Friday, September 18 (6:15-7:45 PM, location TBA) 
  • Friday, September 25 (6:15-7:45 PM, location TBA) 
  • Friday, October 2 (6:15-7:45 PM, location TBA) 
  • Friday, October 9 (6:15-7:45 PM, location TBA) 
  • Friday, October 16 (6:15-7:45 PM, location TBA) 

If you need to arrive late to rehearsals due to another class, that’s OK – we’ll explain how to communicate this to us at the start of the semester using the online “SAL Form.” (Until then, please email Aaron Goldberg, Director of Athletic Bands, if needed: agold@bu.edu)

Once performing at games begins, rehearsals come to an end. When the schedule for sports games is announced, we will post our Performance Calendar, typically at the start of the fall semester.

There will also be 1-2 rehearsals in January at the start of the Spring semester, plus 2 rehearsals for our annual Ice Show in February (a huge hit!).

PAY YOUR PEP BAND FEE

The red BU Bands polo shirt (part of our uniform) costs $40, and the music app (FlipFolder) costs $10. Once paid for, you will receive the Connect ID (password) for FlipFolder. If you already paid for either of these items in Marching Band, you’re all set. The polo shirt can be used for subsequent seasons and is considered a one-time purchase for your college career. Financial assistance for either can be provided to those in need – contact Aaron Goldberg (agold@bu.edu) or Sharif Mamoun (smamoun@bu.edu). The link to pay your Pep Band fee can be found here.

DOWNLOAD THE FLIPFOLDER APP

This is the digital music app that we’ll use all year. Once paid for, you will receive the Connect ID (password) for FlipFolder.

You can switch between songs & instrument parts, zoom-in on the music, save your view settings for each tune, and even mark-up your parts and save them. Watch this short tutorial video to unlock all the features of the app.

  • Download the “FlipFolder” app to your smartphone (it has an orange & white icon).
  • Once you pay your Pep Band Fee, you will be emailed a code (included in emailed payment receipt) to enter into the app to turn it on.
  • Select your instrument part (you can always switch parts later).
  • Download all songs.
  • Have fun!!

NEW MEMBERS, SEND US YOUR ONE-SHEET RECORDING (for brand-new Pep Band members & vets on new instruments)

This is low-pressure! We just want to hear new members play before the first rehearsal to determine what part to put you on (1st trumpet, 2nd trumpet, etc.), and to help balance the Band.

New Woodwinds & Brass: If you are a brand-new member or a returning member playing a different instrument than last year, please submit your One-Sheet recording by the end of the day on Tuesday 9/1. Directions for submission are on the One-Sheets themselves. If you’re playing the same instrument in Marching Band, you only need to submit this once and it will count for both groups. Email Aaron Goldberg, director (agold@bu.edu) if you are having difficulty finding an instrument or have any questions.

New Keyboard/Piano, Bass Guitar & Drum Set: Please see your video requirement here. (Videos are due by Monday 8/17, but please contact Aaron Goldberg if you joined late and missed this deadline – we can work with you: agold@bu.edu)

LOOK AT THESE TUNES IN ADVANCE

Take a look at these 5 tunes in advance. We’ll be playing them at our first rehearsal, so get a jump on them now if you can! (They are on the FlipFolder app – see above.)

  • *Warm-Up 1
  • *Go BU
  • ~Shipping
  • Holiday
  • Centerfold

GET BLACK PANTS & WHITE UNDERSHIRTS

Other than the red BU Bands polo shirt (see “Pay Your Pep Band Fee” above), the other part of the uniform is black pants, which must be provided by you. The style of black pants does not matter, but they must be jet black (not dark grey, not with white stripes or logos on them, etc.) Additionally, any shoes of your own may be worn with them. If you choose to wear a long-sleeve or short-sleeve undershirt (it can get cold at some hockey games), any visible portion must be all white with no markings. Looking uniform helps us look our best!

GOT QUESTIONS?

Check out our Pep Band FAQ page! You can always contact your Pep Band Managers, Section Leaders, or Staff, too.

Let’s get pumped for a season of loud music, high energy, and great times together! GO BU!!!