PEP-BAND Profile
Name: Years with Bernadette pep Alto band: saxophone 20 Instrument: Photo courtesy: Jonathan Hamelin
member Q: What of does the Rider it feel Pep like band? to be an original
— A: you It’s know lots the of fun, routine. going to football games and
Q: What band experience did you have before joining the pep band?
A: I played with the Regina Catholic School band program up until Grade 12 and then I was in the Lions Adult Band, which is now the Prairie Winds Concert Band.
Q: Why did you want to join the Rider Pep band originally?
A: It sounded like a good time.
Q: How would you sum up your experience to date with the pep band?
A: You do a lot of performing. It’s been good times. I’ve met a lot of nice people and travelled all over. It’s been really good. Q: What is the game-day experience like?
A: We have fans that sing along to some of our songs and dance around and I think it adds to the hype. It can be really great being out there in that atmosphere because you’re just adding to it.
Q: What is the Grey Cup experience like?
A: Going to Grey Cup is a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun. You get to go to all of the parties and play for all the people and play various impromptu things. It’s a good time.
Q: The pep band travels to the Grey Cup every year and is one of the few pep bands in the CFL. Do you feel it truly represents all of Canadian football?
A: Yes I do because we have people who we see all the time and they are clapping along with their songs.
this Q: year. The Grey How excited Cup is being are you held to in perform Regina at home throughout for the the Grey year Cup leading and in up the to festivities it?
A: I’m looking forward to it, but I think it’s going to be a lot of work this year because so many groups know us, so we’ll be playing at more events. It’s going to be a good time, but busy.
important Q: Why for is hosting this city the and Grey province? Cup so
A: We’ve got a large fan base and they’re supportive of the team so why shouldn’t they have the Grey Cup here? There’s a lot of people that are willing to volunteer their time to help make this all come about.
Q: The pep band always helps out the community by performing at a number of events. Why is this important and what does it feel like to take part in these events?
A: I think it’s always important to give back to the community.
Q: What is your favourite memory from your time with the pep band?
A: Just coming to games and playing at the games, and all the people that you meet.
Q: How strong are the friendships that you form within the pep band?
A: I’ve made some good friends.