Strike Up the Band

Written by Andrew Binion

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Seattle University Pep Band under the direction of Dr. Brad McDavid.
The Seattle University Pep Band under the direction of Dr. Brad McDavid.

Bolstering pride and spirit with the creation of the SU Pep Band.

The Seattle University Pep Band arrived on campus late last year, fulfilling a vision of President Eduardo Peñalver and Vice President of Athletics Shaney Fink to resurrect the pomp and excitement of a band to lend a score to sporting events and stirring school spirit across campus.

Leading the band is acclaimed director Dr. Brad McDavid, who before taking on the task of creating a pep band here spent 30 years directing the 240-member University of Washington Husky Marching Band.

This particular kind of school band, sometimes known as an athletic band, is a smaller, more mobile version of a marching band, but does the same work of rousing a crowd.

Though happily retired, and thinking that wouldn’t change, the opportunity Seattle University presented to him was too intriguing to pass up—though he did first seek the counsel, and approval, of his wife before accepting.

“The idea of being able to start a new tradition for Seattle University and make it a lasting tradition is something I was intrigued about,” Dr. McDavid says.

Vice President Fink praises Dr. McDavid’s experience and passion, saying the university is looking forward to the school spirit he is bringing to campus.

“This is an exciting moment for Seattle University as we expand the student experience and create a lasting tradition that will enhance the atmosphere at our games and events for years to come,” she says.

SU Pep Band performing at basketball game

In its inaugural year, the Pep Band stands at 30 members—about the size of a large jazz ensemble—and is focused on performing at women’s and men’s basketball games. This year the band is dividing its attention, playing half of the home games for each team.

“With no band program on campus, we had to start with a realistic number,” says McDavid. “I was shooting for between 24 and 30 (members) and thankfully we were able to land at that for the first year.”

That number is partly determined by the NCAA restrictions on the size of bands attending post-season tournaments, including the Pep Band’s upcoming trip in March to Las Vegas to support the Redhawks at the Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament.

As for the music, shortly after the band assembled, they learned a songbook of about 20 tunes, with roughly a dozen of them game-ready at the start of the basketball season including Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and “Tank!” from the anime television series Cowboy Bebop—with more songs to come.

For those interested in joining the band, Seattle University Athletics has an online questionnaire to start the application process. Though musical ability is required to join, owning an instrument is not. Half of the 10 instruments that make up the band can be borrowed from SU, and not just the elephantine sousaphone but also the diminutive piccolo.

Read more about the SU Pep Band in the winter edition of Seattle University Magazine out in early March.

Written by Andrew Binion

Wednesday, January 15, 2025