Pep Bands

The UNI School of Music boasts three exciting Pep Bands: A Volleyball Pep Band and two Basketball Bands. The Pep Bands generate excitement that fills the McLeod Center at Panther athletic events. Under the administrative supervision of Dr. Danny Galyen and directed by graduate assistants Megan Austin and Allyson Martin, these ensembles are an important generator of spirit at men's and women's home basketball games and women's volleyball games. Select members of this ensemble travel to the post-season Men's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament each season.

Membership in the Pep Bands is open to all UNI students. Student musicians representing virtually every academic discipline perform a varied and highly energized musical repertoire. A limited number of Pep Band scholarships are presented each season by audition. Volleyball Pep Band auditions are held in early September, and Basketball Pep Band auditions are held in October. The UNI Volleyball Band is a fall semester class. The UNI Basketball Pep Bands are spring semester classes.

2009-2010 Basketball Pep Bands Information:

The Gold and Purple Basketball Pep Bands will each play approximately 9-10 home games plus one of the MVC Tournaments in March.  Scholarships are available for qualified members of the Pep Band.  Eligible students may receive two scholarships for joining both the Gold and Purple Bands. The exact amount is to be determined but will be no less than $150. Both scholarship and non-scholarship members will receive one credit for the Pep Band class.

Basketball Band auditions:

Audition sign-up sheets will be posted on the door to Room 48 in GBPAC beginning on October 12. Please come to Room 48 after October 12 to sign up for an audition time.

Audition Dates:
Tuesday October 20th, 7:30pm-9:30pm, GBPAC 64
Thursday October 22nd, 4:00pm-9:00pm, GBPAC 64
Drum-set auditions will be held on Tuesday October 20th from 6-7 PM in the PAC drumset practice room.

Rehearsal Date: Sunday, November 1, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Davis Hall.

For wind and bass auditions, please prepare a short piece (a pep band song is acceptable) and the UNI Fight Song (PDFs are located Here).  There will be a short sight reading portion. For drumset, please prepare a rock and funk beat with fills; you will also be asked to create a drum part to accompany a recording.  Auditions for all instruments are 5 minutes long; please arrive a little early, as there will be a short form to fill out prior to auditions.

A performance schedule will be posted soon.

2009 Volleyball Band Information:

Auditions:

Audition sign-up sheets will be posted on the door to Room 48 in GBPAC beginning on August 24. Please come to Room 48 after August 24 to sign up for an audition time.

Volleyball Band auditions will be on Tuesday, September 1, from 6:00pm-10:00pm in GBPAC 64

Rehearsal Date: Sunday, September 6, 7:00pm-9:00pm, Davis Hall.

To audition, please prepare two pieces:

1. The UNI Fight Song (pdfs of the music are located here: http://www.uni.edu/music/marchingband/UNI%20Music.html)

2. A short piece of your choice. This may be a piece of marching band music, or another solo you have prepared.

Sightreading will also be included in the audition.

Approximately 25 students will be selected to perform as scholarship members of this ensemble. Additional students may be selected as non-scholarship members. Both scholarship and non-scholarship members will receive one credit for the Pep Band class.

The 2009 Volleyball Band will perform at the following home games in the McLeod Center:

Friday, Sept. 25 Southern Illinois 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 Evansville 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 Wichita State 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 Bradley 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6 Illinois State 7:00 p.m.