Pep is back for football season

MASKED AND MUSICAL Senior Nick Rodriguez plays his trumpet at the Oviedo game on Oct. 30. Pep bands stand in place of marching season for the 2020 season. photo by Faith Marino

Pep is back for football season

Skyler Glenn, Assistant News Editor

With cheering students and clouds of baby powder, the marching band plays “Seven Nation Army” and chants encouragement to the football team at Friday night games. However, with a mask mandate and recommended social distancing for all school events, marching band was inevitably cancelled, leaving football games feeling a little lifeless for students. To compensate for the cancellation, administration allowed a small groups of musicians to perform at home football games.

“I frankly didn’t believe we would get to play at all this season because of the virus,” percussionist Jackson Kaplan said. “I’m happy about it, even though it’s not the ideal scenario.”

Band students received news of marching band’s fate over the summer, with the cancellation of the annual week-long band camp and announcement that the band would not have a halftime show or be able to perform in the stands, all due to safety concerns.

“When I heard that marching band was cancelled, I was so disappointed,” trombonist Trevor Thompson said. “It really was my favorite part of school.”

Despite this, there was a light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel for band students: pep bands. Groups of 30 students were selected through auditions submitted earlier in the year to provide motivation and music to the football team, dancers, and cheerleaders. Band teacher Brian Kuperman was enthusiastic to provide this experience, since many consider band an essential part of a fun football game.

“The school asked us to create small pep bands to perform at home games,” Kuperman said. “We are really excited that students will have the opportunity to play.”

Both students and teachers had safety concerns about how pep bands will be able to play their instruments while simultaneously limiting the spread of germs. To combat this, wind instruments have filters over the bell and students are required to social distance to the best of their ability. Additionally, the playing area will be vacated once every 30 minutes to allow for air circulation.

“Our biggest concern is the safety of our students. We haven’t had this many people play in a group yet,” Kuperman said. “We felt apprehensive to announce pep bands until we knew how we could make it happen safely.”

To prepare for the addition of pep bands, students rehearse two days a week after school prior to each home game. Pep band members

felt that these rehearsals were tough — but not as tough as marching band rehearsals.

“Pep band rehearsals are exhausting, but I bet marching band is a lot harder,” tubist Anthony Acevedo said. “I’m glad I’m able to get a taste of what full marching band will be like, since my freshman year is very different.”

At the football game against Colonial on Oct. 16, only drumline was permitted to perform because of many uncertainties, such as how large the crowd would be and how cautious people were, according to Kuperman.

“We were trying to determine logistics for larger groups and how we could keep everyone safe and healthy,” Kuperman said.

Now, full pep bands are able to play at home games, following CDC and school guidelines. Normality has returned in the hearts of band students, as they are able to spend time doing what they love: playing music.

“I have loved band ever since I started,” Thompson said. “It’s one of the most fun things I get to do all throughout the year.”

The band celebrated senior night at the game against Flagler Palm Coast on Nov. 6. Friends, family and section members all chipped in to making posters for the seniors. Senior Beth Logston said that the experience was unforgettable and felt almost like a traditional senior night.

“I’m going to cherish my poster forever,” Logston said. “I wish all of my friends could have been there, but it was still a great night.”

Band students are overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to experience a degree of what marching season was like, although it will remain unmatched.

“I’m just so excited to be in pep band with all of my friends,” Kaplan said. “I feel relaxed and comfortable, all while having a great time.”