The Benilde-St. Margaret’s pep band is an unsung hero of the BSM community and a leader in facilitating school spirit and pride. However, the band’s presence at sporting and school events is limited, and its appearances at games and other events have especially declined in the past couple of years. This has sparked a debate among the BSM community about whether the pep band really contributes to school spirit and participation at school and sporting events.
The BSM pep band makes appearances at games and sporting events about once a month, and many students love and appreciate their presence at those events. Some students even argue that there should be more pep band attendance at games to help spark school spirit. “I think [the band] helps with school spirit, and you can feel the school spirit and the community, and it feels like everybody is connected to the school. And I think that’s what’s so great about music, is that it brings people together,” senior Harper Kanz said.
Additionally, many students argue that the pep band also keeps students involved at games and events. The music keeps them engaged and ready to cheer on BSM’s teams. “I do like the BSM pep band because I feel like their presence at sports games encourages me to be involved in the game, and it just adds extra motivation to cheer on my fellow Red Knights,” senior Ruby Ryan said.
Students are not the only ones who enjoy the pep band’s presence at games. The band members also love to perform at the games, and they appreciate being able to share their musical talents and interests with the BSM community. “I just like playing my trombone, I also like playing with my friends,” freshman band member Luke Malachek said.
While many students are in support of the Pep Band having an even larger presence at games and events, the band’s low numbers can make it a challenge to really make an impact on school spirit and participation. Many students hope for an increase in participation in the band, so that they can bring even more energy to games and events. “I think it’s hard because we’re a smaller school, so there are fewer people in the band. But, if the band was bigger, I think they could bring a lot of energy to sporting events,” senior Claudia Kroll said.
Despite the lack of numbers in the band, many students are in support of the band’s presence at games. The pep band is a great extension of school spirit at BSM, and many students even argue that it is important that the BSM community has a greater appreciation for the pep band and their contribution to the Red Knight Community.