2003 Miracle Yearbook

The Pep Band plays familiar tunes while the crowd claps in appreciation. > Even the director John Hamerjoins in the festivities. One of the most noticeable parts ofany Cedarville University basketball game during basketball season was the sound ofthe pep band. From the halftime show with songs such as"Sloopy"and "Smooth," used at a climactic points in the games, the pep band was a crucial part of Cedarville University school spirit. Following Michael DiCuirci's 23 year reign as pep band director, John Harner, the director of bands at Xenia High School,took over with the same vision DiCuirci held for the pep band. "As a new director, it is important not to change everything that has been successful with the previous one. Mr.DiCuirci did a marvelousjob with the band,and the songs he had were already some of the best," Harner said. When DiCuirci reflected on many of his favorite Cedarville basketball memories,he recalled,"In 1980 Cedarville beat Defiance at the buzzer to break a 78 to 78 deadlock. The game was great, but the crowd went berserk. When the band was playing,I could not hear a note they played because the crowd was so loud." In addition to building school spirit, the pep band provided students with a way to use their previous experiences in band. Many did not have the time to belong to the larger ensembles on campus,and they found the Pep Band as an outlet for their talent."It was a great way to continue your musical skills that you may have developed in high school; it was a great way to see the basketball game;it was a great way to meet friends, both male and female,that share some of your likes and dislikes," Hamer said. Sophomore applied psychology major Kaylene Whitaker shared Harner's feeling about pep band when she said,"It was a fun opportunity to participate in the basketball games at Cedarville and be able to cheer the team on." A crowd favorite, Chris Brown,always brought fans to their feet as he pranced around the court at halftime as the pep band played. Along with sharpening musical skills, the pep band helped build the momentum on the court. The Brass section helps pump up the games' energy, keeping the music loud and on time. 202 STUDENT LIFE Pep Band