With a repertoire featuring Chappell Roan, Green Day, and Bruce Channel, the Augsburg University Pep Band returned in Fall 2025 with music for everyone. After about a five-year hiatus, the group reassembled with faculty leadership and a new course structure..

Debuting at the Athletic Hall of Fame procession during Homecoming, the ensemble dusted off the Augsburg Fight Song and learned about 20 additional songs to play throughout the year under the instruction of Director of Bands Kenneth Green. In 2025 the pep band also performed at Taste of Augsburg, men’s and women’s basketball games, and one women’s hockey game.

“Pep band is a great way to make new friends, play an instrument for fun, and get into athletic events for free,” pep band manager William Dolezal ’28 said.

While the pep band—which had about 23 members this fall—is passionate about their music, they are there to support Augsburg athletics and bring energy to the games where they perform. At basketball games, the musicians stand throughout the entirety of the game, performing the National Anthem and playing before the game starts, during timeouts, halftime, and after the game. Between these numbers you’ll find the members doing cheers, invested in the game.

Any student is invited to join pep band without an audition, allowing for the group to be made up of primarily non-music majors. As long as you know how to play, there is a place for you in the group. The ensemble creates a space for everyone to participate and connect, bringing together musicians and connecting them to the greater Augsburg community.

Music education student Emily Gilbert ’27 played in her high school pep band, so she is happy to continue the tradition throughout her time at Augsburg. Gilbert started playing the flute in fourth grade and said that playing pop music and attending sporting events is what drew her to join.

“It doesn’t matter if the team wins or loses, we’re there to support the team,” Green said. “But I must say—everything we played for in the fall, all of our teams won.”

Top image: This year’s Taste of Augsburg featured live music from the Augsburg Pep Band. (Photo by Courtney Perry)

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Classics such as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night, Holy Night,” performed by Augsburg’s choirs, orchestra and brass quintet, were woven between prayers and readings throughout the three sections of the event.

“The best part of this year’s event has been the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and students in creating something that reflects the shared values of the Augsburg community,” Augsburg Symphony Orchestra Director Mark Elliot Bergman said. “Working alongside such dedicated artists and educators is always rewarding.”

Preparation for the season

Preparation for Advent Vespers begins in the summer as the Music Department curates their repertoire for the year. Using the artistic and educational goals for each ensemble as a guideline, the directors work to select music that thrives in this balance. As students return to campus in the fall, the Music Department and Campus Ministry teams meet to align visions and finalize selections. The teams work together to craft a theme that reflects “what the Spirit might be guiding us to share,” Augsburg University Pastor Babette Chatman ‘06 said.

The theme

Chatman said that she sees this year’s theme as a prayer, or meditation.

“To be guided by peace in the presence of chaos is an act of resistance to me,” Chatman said. “This Advent Vespers’ theme speaks to the constant need for peace: in our lives, in our communities, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and, yes, in our world.”

Bergman feels similarly, saying that the theme, and the event, offers a pause and encourages reflection.

“It serves as an invitation to examine our own posture in the world,” he said. “Both as individuals and as a community of learning, scholarship, and service.”

Recordings of previous performances may be accessed via the .

Top image: The 2025 Advent Vespers. Photo by Courtney Perry.

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