Though it started as a chance encounter, co-presidents of the recently revitalized Lawrence University pep band, sophomores Rebecca Reynolds and Ella Lysne, found themselves scrambling to set up more chairs at their first rehearsal for the large turnout in the weekend between Weeks 2 and 3. Lawrence’s pep band has ebbed and flowed in and out of existence for a long while, but this year, the duo hopes to establish it as an integral part of Lawrence’s culture.
Tunes from the touring University of Wisconsin–Madison’s pep band filled the air of College Avenue the day the Lawrence University pep band was dreamed up last year. Reynolds and Lysne were taking a trip to Mai’s Deli when they heard it, to which they questioned why Lawrence didn’t have a similar ensemble. They discussed the idea with others; Reynolds recalled the great energy surrounding their conversations about it.
Though both acknowledged the idea was daunting in the planning stages, the two officially began their mission in Fall Term by sending out an interest form and putting up posters around campus. They received around 80 responses from Lawrentians of all backgrounds, and, at their first rehearsal, 50 people showed up, eager to begin music-making. Reynolds expressed the overwhelming joy that she felt upon seeing this large—and passionate—assembly because, from what she was able to find out about past iterations of the pep band, this was the largest turnout in Lawrence history.
“We got out, I think, 30 chairs to start, and just the moment of realizing that we didn’t have enough space and needed more chairs was so exciting,” Reynolds said.
The turnout is not the only thing that made Lawrence University pep band history; Lysne reports that their version of the band has a drumline, unlike the previous ones. In iterations prior, the pep band had used a single drum set, but Lysne expressed the importance that her and Reynolds’ band have a real drumline, to not merely replicate but instead create the traditional pep-band-style percussion. To bring this new feature together, the duo reached out to local high schools willing to sell them their old equipment. The pep band is currently in the process of being recognized by the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC) as an established organization. Luckily, Lawrence administration—to which Lysne extended her many thanks—assisted them with start-up funding. Reynolds and Lysne also thanked the high schools—particularly Kimberly and Kaukauna High Schools, who were especially enthusiastic about the band—for selling them their equipment for the drumline and beyond.
The great support for the band is evident within the campus as well. Reynolds is a Conservatory student and Lysne is a student athlete who plays in the Conservatory’s Symphonic Band, and while these seem to be vastly different backgrounds, they intersect at the pep band; the two called it a “bridge” uniting the Conservatory, the College and the athletic department, since they plan for the pep band—made up of students from all parts of the university—to perform at Lawrence sporting events in the future. All three facets of the university expressed great enthusiasm for the pep band and have been coordinating with each other to help get the band off the ground and into Lawrence culture.
“Just the excitement from so many different directions about this band is really invigorating,” Reynolds said. “The students involved in it are excited, administration is excited, our athletic programs are excited to have us here, the local community is excited and supportive. It’s just really wonderful.”
Lysne said a team effort was at the core of the band both from the outside and within. She enthused about the great efforts of the leadership team that has diligently assisted herself and Reynolds throughout the revitalization process.
Among these leaders are the student conductors. Reynolds mentioned that she wants the Lawrence University pep band experience to be not only fun but educational on everyone’s part, and said the band offers an especially novel opportunity for the conductors.
“Because there wasn’t any sort of pep band or marching band [in the past], it was really difficult for music education students to get opportunities to work with those sorts of ensembles; when working as a music educator, especially if you’re a band director, that can be a really huge part of your job,” Reynolds said. “So, we’re really excited to make the pep band an outlet for our music education students to get experience conducting and leading this sort of ensemble.”
Reynolds hopes the educational aspect of the pep band extends to the musicians too. While she usually plays the flute, Reynolds is on the alto saxophone in the band. She hopes the band provides the environment for students to try out secondary instruments.
As for the pep band’s future, Lysne hopes they will be able to play at many athletic matches and other university events to come.
“We’ve only had one rehearsal yet—this is just the beginning of what’s to come for us,” Lysne said.
There are no requirements to join the pep band, and both Lysne and Reynolds invite Lawrentians to try it out.
“If you feel confident that you can play the music we’re playing, or you’re willing to put in the work needed for it, then we’d love to have you,” Reynolds said.
The pep band’s first performance will be on Saturday, Jan. 20 at a women’s hockey game. Reynolds and Lysne are excited—and so is the hockey team—to see everything the band has come to be so far to come together at the game.
“This started as just a conversation between a couple of friends, and now we have a ton of people all having fun together, making awesome music together [and] supporting each other,” Reynolds said.