Put some pep in your step

Whether the University of Manitoba Pep Band is playing today’s hits or throwback tunes, its goal is to bring excitement and U of M spirit to crowds of Bison sports fans.

UM Pep Band is an ensemble of students from any faculty that performs for students and attendees of different U of M sports games and other school events.

In her fourth year of an arts degree, Hannah Bowers is taking on the role of president for the UM Pep Band.

Bowers has always had a passion for music, and when she moved to the U of M she noticed the lack of a pep band community for non-music students. Her idea to create a pep band for the university progressed after she contacted numerous music professors and learned that a pep band existed years ago. She was given a few remaining drums and some sheet music, and from there, UM Pep Band began to emerge. Co-ordinating with the music faculty, U of M athletics and UMSU finally resulted in the band’s true beginning in March of 2022.

Bowers said collaborating with other pep bands from other Canadian universities has been “really great.”

She said the people who should join UM Pep Band are the students who “want a place to play and to have fun in a judgement free space, with a welcoming community.”

“[Pep Band] runs on everybody that’s in it,” she said.

To join the group, you must be a U of M student who plays any level of brass, woodwind or percussion instruments. Fill out the interest form on the band’s Instagram to become a member.

Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Desautels building. The executive team asks that you bring your own instrument and let them know you would like to attend if you are not already a member via its Instagram, @umpepband. That way, the execs can have sheet music ready for you and your instrument. Due to the band’s limited resources, the executives ask that you come to the band with some knowledge of how to play your instrument.

If you don’t want to join but still want to enjoy, you can find the UM Pep Band playing in yellow jerseys at Bison football, hockey, volleyball and basketball games this year.

 

Swing your way over

Join for the dances, stay to find community. At least, that’s what vice-president of UMSwing Rachit Bajpai believes.

Bajpai, in his last year of an English degree, didn’t know a single dance before joining the U of M swing dance club. Last year, when he saw a poster for an open house that advertised not needing experience or a partner, he decided to attend.

“How about I just go there [and] try something new?” He thought. “Even if I can’t do it, at least I’ll get to meet, maybe, ten new people.”

You don’t need any experience or even a partner to join the inclusive dance environment of U of M’s swing club.

UMSwing will be hosting its free open house on Sept. 29, where visitors can meet teachers, club executives and other dancers, and even try a dance or two before becoming a member in full-swing. More details can be found on Instagram @UMSwing, but one way to become a member is to attend the open house or send the club a direct message.

Attending various dance lessons and workshops comes with a small fee in order to provide well-trained instructors, but joining as a member is free.

UMSwing holds dance lessons regularly throughout each semester, along with various workshops and other events, like last years’ Fool’s Ball where participants had the chance to dance to live music in their best formal attire. The club also occasionally goes for “s’wings nights,” where members enjoy chicken wings and hang out with friends after dance lessons.

You can show up to lessons and workshops by yourself or with a partner, just be sure to bring water and wear active clothing.

If you join UMSwing, Bajpai said to expect many opportunities to meet and dance with old and new club members. Bajpai got the chance to speak to the founder of UMSwing, who has since moved to Montreal to dance. When asked what else potential members could expect, Bajpai emphasized the fun they’ll have.

“I believe that’s the reason we’ve been [here] for [this long],” he said.

“Sometimes university does get stressful, and it’s really nice to have people who are not in your class […] and just interact [and] have fun,” Bajpai said.