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The band is back — the Allegheny College Pep Band, that is.

The 30-student pep band will perform at home women’s and men’s basketball games on three dates during the spring semester:

• Wed., Jan. 22, 6 and 8 p.m. (vs. Oberlin)
• Sat., Feb. 15, 2 and 4 p.m. (vs. Denison)
• Wed., Feb. 19, 6 and 8 p.m. (vs. Hiram)

There were several attempts to organize a pep band at the College many years ago, but none were successful, said Ronald Stitt, Ph.D., Allegheny music instructor and director of the pep band. Last February, Stitt and Lowell Hepler, Ph.D., Allegheny music professor and director of bands, convened a pep band for the dedication of the James H. Mullen Jr. Arena in the Wise Center.

“When our new president (Hilary L. Link) arrived, she was very much intrigued and supportive of continuing the pep band,” Stitt said. “Lowell and I, along with Provost Ron Cole, worked to make it happen for the current basketball season on a limited basis.”

The pep band will perform the Star-Spangled Banner and play during timeouts and halftime. “We are all looking forward to adding our music to the game atmosphere and hope that we enhance the game experience for everyone,” Stitt said.