Nearly every day of the week, Shippensburg’s musically inclined students gather on the Luhrs Performing Arts Center stage to rehearse in a variety of ensembles. Students interested in music can choose to participate in groups including Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pep Band and Percussion Ensemble.
The SU Pep Band performs at the Men’s and Women’s basketball games in Heiges Field House. They perform stand tunes such as “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes and “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish to pump up the crowd. Director of Bands, Trever Famulare, and Assistant Director of Bands, Aaron Trumbore, direct the ensembles.
Emily Osilka, a senior tuba player, has been a member of the band her entire college career. She is involved in three groups this spring. “I am really looking forward to having one last concert with the SU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band because I love performing in a concert setting,” Osilka said. Many members of the pep band are a part of other musical groups on campus as well.
“It’s great to see our members excited to play again in our variety of ensembles. I am so proud of the dedication that the students and directors have put into these groups. We cannot wait to perform for the Shippensburg community this spring,” SU Band President, Livv Faenza said.
Some ensembles even get the chance to travel. In March 2020, the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble flew to Los Angeles, California to perform at Disneyland and West Lake High School. The SU Bands hope to travel again this year.
This year, seven members of the band were selected from Shippensburg to perform with other university musicians across Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival will be hosted at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Concert dates will be announced closer to the time of performances via Instagram and Twitter @shipuband and on Facebook.
For more information about spring ensembles and the Shippensburg University “Red Raider” Marching Band, visit their website at https://ship.campusgroups.com/sumb/home/.
Editor’s Note: Bailey Cassada is the head of the SU band's PR team
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