There’s a reason music is called the universal language. From folk songs to symphonies, melodies have always connected people across all barriers: linguistic, temporal and physical. At Georgetown University sports games, the sounds of the game — from the Pep Band’s tunes to the student section’s raucous cheers and the bated breath of the crowd during a free-throw — create an atmosphere like no other. It’s these moments of anticipation and shared joy that make the venue feel much smaller than it was when we entered. Whether we’re playing the “Fight Song” or “Sweet Caroline,” the music Pep Band makes together is a much-needed reminder that even in times of uncertainty and division, we’re all on the same team, at least for the night.
But the memories made with the Georgetown Pep Band don’t end at Cooper Field or Capital One Arena. The Georgetown Pep Band (in its various forms) has existed for over 100 years, and while the group changes as students graduate and new students join, there’s an undeniable link across generations, upheld through our traditions and the music we play. For example, at the homecoming football game this year, I had the chance to talk with an alum who hadn’t touched his saxophone since he’d graduated but took the opportunity to join us anyway. One of my favorite parts of that moment was getting to hear him reminisce about which songs he remembered playing and about whose flipbooks belonged to which people a decade ago.
For my part, music is and always has been an emotional outlet and passion. Band, specifically, has been a second home since I joined in sixth grade. My closest friends (back home and here in Washington, D.C.) have frequently been bandmates. Before you chalk that all up to the sheer amount of time we spent together — though that is quite a big factor — consider what we’re doing.
Despite our diverse backgrounds — different grades, interests and majors; different walks of life and musical experiences; varying reasons for joining the Pep Band — we’ve all ended up in the same space. We’ve grown up playing in separate school systems with different music teachers. Some of us had a marching or pep band while others had only played in orchestras. In the Georgetown Pep Band, it’s not about where we’re from; it’s about what we create together. Every week, we sit together in New North’s Studio A for an hour and a half to work on the music we play for (at most) 15 minutes per event. Each of our instruments has a unique part that is one piece of the larger song. Each of those songs will never be performed live exactly the same way ever again. We live in the moment in a way that’s often impossible in today’s digital world. There’s something special and grounding about that dedication to the same goal of celebrating music and Georgetown at the same time.
The best part of it all? Anyone with an interest is welcomed with open arms, no matter if you’re an all-state player or have never touched an instrument before. If you want to get involved in the amazing world of music, we want to be part of your musical journey. It’s clear that Pep Band is the place to make cross-generational and cross-cultural connections, no matter what experiences you had before Georgetown.
The Pep Band’s impact truly lasts long after the final notes fade. To us, it’s more than just performing pop tunes; it’s about being part of something larger than the sum of our individual parts. Whether it’s the whirlwind trips we lovingly refer to as “Pep Benders” or simply the time we spend together rehearsing, music is what binds us together and what leads us to form lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. Music is the language that unifies us, transforming a group of students into a family.