North’s Screaming Eagle Pep band performs multiple times throughout the school year starting with football season first semester, and then second semester showing out for the school’s basketball teams. The band is split in half into two sets of team- Gold and Navy so that each assigned game has a variety of instruments and players. While these games are a responsibility for each student, everybody tries to enjoy their night with music and friends.
“Pep bands a super fun place full of great energy and some of the most supportive people. Throughout the night we play fun music and I know my friends and I have always enjoyed it because of the charge in the air and the hype of the crowd,” senior Trenton Ball said.
It’s not all fun and games though; the process of preparing for some of these games can take a few hours.
“For any event we do for band we have to show up close to an hour early to prepare and it’s similar for pep band. Since we are split and not everyone goes to every game, for the first few games, which start around 7, we are getting there around 5:30 to 6 to make sure music is sent out, instruments are there, we get a good rehearsal of all the music, and that everyone is wearing the band shirt,” junior Lydia Hoffman said.
There are eight games in total where the Screaming Eagles will play; only four are required, but some students have found they enjoy the games so much they are willing to show out for all eight. Along with playing new music, spending time with friends, and getting to watch the basketball game for free, the North band students can also use this to help earn letterman credit.
“We mainly play to show up for the basketball team, they deserve some more recognition by the way. But it’s a good overall environment with school spirit and some of my best friends, so with this being my third year in high school band I’ve made it my goal to go to all eight games. This started my freshman year for some easy letter credit but now I look forward to it and just enjoy my time there,” Hoffman said.