Photo by Matthew Montes ’15 – The Pep Band played at the homecoming game against Desert Ridge, Sept. 26. Members of the Pep Band come from a variety of other bands in order to entertain at football games.

By Jack Cahill ’17
THE ROUNDUP

Big moments at a football game can generate a lot of excitement, energy and sound.

A student group tasked with helping to lead that excitement is the Pep Band.

The Pep Band is a group comprised of members of the school bands, whose primary purpose is to entertain at football games.

The Pep Band is headed by Mr. Leo Werner, who acts as the group’s facilitator.

“The student leaders and I select which music to play, and when during the game to play it. For instance, we do not play when our team is on offense,” Mr. Werner said.

The Pep Band has a fluctuating number of members. Mr. Werner said that there are usually around 30-50 students playing at each football game.

“The number of members fluctuates somewhat from game to game, because the students in the band classes are required to attend a set number of games, but not all the games,” Mr. Werner said.

The Pep Band stands out among other band groups and school clubs as it is both part of the band and an extracurricular activity.

Matthew Borlongan ’15, a trumpet section leader in the Pep Band, called the group “something close to a club.”

Borlongan also said that the group provides a unique experience for its members.

“It’s one of those few times when the members of various classes in the band program can come together and hang out,” Borlongan said.

Borlongan said he hopes that the band will continue to grow.

“The numbers this past year have been a little less than usual, but we hope to continue growing both as a Pep Band and a band program as a whole,” Borlongan said.