If you have ever attended a DU sporting event, you may have noticed the small but enthusiastic group of instrumentalists accompanying the athletes, coaches and spectators. They play for hockey and basketball games, university events and occasionally even lacrosse, volleyball or swimming. They always play hit songs to pump up players and crowds alike. They root for Denver and cheerfully heckle the opponents. They are the Pioneer Pep Band.

The band, usually made up of a random assortment of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, tubas and drums, attends games to amp up school spirit and have a good time. When they are not performing songs, they are accompanying the cheerleaders or coming up with clever insults for the opposing team.

Some of the popular tunes for the Pioneer Pep Band include: “Sweet Caroline,” “Bad Romance,” “Uptown Funk,” “Hey, Baby” and “Gimme Some Lovin’.” The band  also commonly plays the National Anthem before games, as well as the school fight song, “DU Rah,” at the start and end of games and when the hockey team scores a goal.

Joseph Walsh, Pioneer Pep Band Director, has been running the show for eight years and has loved every minute of it.

Joe, as he is amicably known by all, loves “the fun atmosphere, sports and cheering on the teams. Being with friends and having a good time—that’s probably the best part. That’s really what we aim for.”

One perk that most people do not know is that members of the pep band get paid for performing (between $20 to $35 per game), which can be a fun and relatively easy way to earn some extra money on campus. Aside from the monetary compensation, band members receive free entry to any sporting event at which they perform. There is often free DU apparel, merchandise offered and occasionally, free food. Furthermore, at least once a year, there is an all-expense-paid trip to travel with athletic teams. Pioneer Pep Band is also an opportunity to meet new people and have a great time making music. Participation can also be registered as course credit in music or arts, humanities and social sciences.

There is no audition process to join the Pioneer Pep Band; any instrumentalist at any level is welcome to play. Currently, there are music majors, music enthusiasts, locals, visitors, students and alumni who perform. New members can join at any point, but most of the gigs occur during the Fall and Winter Quarters. Joining the band is also fairly noncommittal, as there are only a handful of rehearsals each fall and game attendance is based on weekly availability.

Those interested in playing with the Pioneer Pep Band should contact Walsh at walsh4tuba@gmail.com.