Profiling the Fordham Pep Band

The Fordham Pep Band is an overlooked treasure in the realm of music at the university. It’s a group of musicians, mainly from the Fordham Band & Orchestra, who come together a few times a week to play at football and basketball games. Because the band performs at sporting events, they aren’t often the priority. However, they could use a bit more recognition.

I decided to observe the band firsthand, from rehearsal all the way up until the game clock hit zero. I learned that their performances are so much more than a few hype songs during pivotal parts of a game. A lot of effort and time goes into each number.

Every game starts with prep in the Fordham music room tucked away in the caverns of the McGinley Center. All kinds of instruments fill the room: drums, saxophones, a piano and even a xylophone. In the back corner rests an old wooden desk where Brian Reynolds finds his seat.

Reynolds is the student president of the Fordham orchestra and jazz band. As president, it’s his job to conduct and direct the pep band. He played in his high school’s marching band, where he found a love for percussion and performing.

As the group shuffles into the room, Reynolds greets each one individually. He makes his players feel important, and knows something special about everyone.

When the musicians have taken their seats, Brian steps up front and gets right down to business, not without cracking a couple jokes. The band rehearses a piece before finally heading into the Rose Hill Gym. Each musician walks in with confidence. Tonight’s performance is routine.

They huddle into the stands and get organized. Before the game starts, they go over their best numbers and showcase their abilities to the small crowd watching inside.

As the women’s basketball team warms up, the band jams out. The players don’t hear the usual hip-hop hype pieces as they warm up, but rather an orchestral spin on the songs themselves.

After the short show, the game begins. When it’s in progress, the pep band uses their voices instead of instruments. Chanting and cheering is one half of the band’s performance.

That’s when saxophonist Christian Hoban becomes an animal. He’s often the first to yell and shout verbal jabs at the opponent.

“I lose my voice by halftime. Then I get it back with a water bottle, but it’s gone by the end of the game, depending on how much I can heckle the other team’s coach.”

After a few minutes of play, Fordham calls its first timeout. It’s showtime.

Reynolds quickly focuses the band’s attention back to the music. He raises both hands, one snapping to the beat of their first song. With a quick shift, the band breaks out with “Iron Man.” The song starts, but Brian has to stay vigilant. The timeout can end at any moment. He watches as the referee hands the ball to the inbounder.

Pass.

Catch.

Silence.

Their concert ends, right as the game resumes.

It’s a skill that takes a little getting used to, Reynolds says. It’s all about feel.

“From a performance side, you don’t want gaps of silence. You don’t want to cut off early, and it just be kind of quiet in the gym while we wait the extra ten seconds for the whistle to blow. That kills the energy that we’re trying to build.”

That energy can be felt throughout the entire Rose Hill gym, especially on the court. Although the players are focused on the game, they can’t help but feel the presence of the band.

Stephanie Gaitley, head coach of the Fordham women’s basketball team, agrees that the band brings a much needed spirit to the gym. I got a chance to talk to her about the band and what they mean to the team.

“When we won the championship in 2014, we shared it with the band. We understand the importance of them being a part of our whole Fordham basketball family… I not only see them, but hear them. I can feel their energy.”

As the game continues, the band goes through most of its catalogue. When the game ends, in this case a win for the Rams, Reynolds raises his hands for the last time for Fordham’s alma mater.

“One… two… one, two, ready and — ”

The crowd cheers.

The next time the pep band performs is tomorrow, December 19, at Madison Square Garden when the men’s team takes on Rutgers.