By Amy Salvagno
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — They provide the soundtrack to fall’s Friday nights.

On a well-lit field, against the crack of tackles and steel bleachers that can hardly hold the enthusiasm of cheering fans, it’s the Grosse Pointe North High School pep band that rings out the fight song to celebrate a touchdown and echoes familiar tunes to draw out excitement in between quarters and during timeouts.

From bringing out a crowd’s spirit to helping propel a football team to victory, few may realize the role of the instruments and their players.

“The pep band provides a lot of spirit at the football games, basketball games, parades and pep rallies,” said band director David Cleveland. “It makes these events much more fun to be at.”

The pep band, which this year boasts around 70 members, is an extracurricular commitment. Like many sports teams, practice beings in late summertime when the start of school is still an afterthought. In the August heat, the group works to sharpen several sequenced marches and heads inside — where the air conditioning cools them down — to perfect its sound. Though no audition is required, participation is still quite a commitment: Players practice Monday evenings, perform Friday nights and fire up the crowds during basketball season.

“The students in the pep band are some of our most enthusiastic music students. They love to share their talents and support their friends at the games,” Cleveland said.   

Sam Matthew and Sean Ireland have been with the group since they were freshmen. Now seniors — a group that consists of less than 10 — they have their reasons for being involved.

For Matthew, it’s attending the games and hanging out with friends. The president of the pep band plays the trombone, a switch she made in 10th-grade from the clarinet.

“It was an exciting instrument. I wanted to play it in everything,” she said, including in the school’s jazz band.

Of the pep band, Matthew added, “The music is probably the most fun out of all the music I play.”

There are favorites that return each year, such as “Crazy Train” and the “Rocky” theme song, and a few new selections, including Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4” and “We Will Rock You.” During a summer officers meeting, songs are nominated and voted on.

In his younger days, Ireland looked up to those who were in the pep band. He joined upon the urgings of a cousin.

“I stuck with it because I was excited about it,” he said. “I enjoy the excitement of the games — and the yelling.”

The drum line section leader often calls out songs and beats to his counterparts.

Both students have many memories stored up from over the years. There is one that is particularly amusing to the two of them: During the North-South rivalry football game one year, South showed up with a 15-member pep band. Neither one can remember hearing them from across the field.

“That was a fun night,” Ireland recalled.

In general, the pep band is a haven for good times.

“We’re all friends here. No one is ever a poor sport,” said Matthew.

“There’s no section segregation — I’ll talk to a flutist,” Ireland joked.

The group even embraces its newest members: freshmen. They say joining is the best thing for the incoming students.

“You get to meet people before you even start school and you get acquainted with the parts of the school,” said Matthew.

“You get respect when you’re able to play an instrument,” added Ireland. “It takes commitment and talent.”

Connor Yeager has felt the welcome. Though he admits that learning the snare drum parts are more difficult than he’s used to, he looks forward to “getting together a few times a week with all the guys.”

Yeager watched his sister play in the band and remembers listening to the drum line when he attended football games. Now, he’s looking forward to being heard for the first time from the field.

“It shows school spirit. It gets people involved,” he says.

Cleveland, who during the school day directs the band and orchestra, looks forward to working with the unique group each year.

“I enjoy the personalities of each student. They have a real passion for music, and it energizes me to be around them,” he said. “Each year is very different, and I can never predict what it will be like.”

You can reach Staff Writer Amy Salvagno at asalvagno@candgnews.com or at  (586) 498-1037.