UMaine Sports Bands

At the University of Maine, the Screamin’ Black Bears Pep Band is an integral part of the game experience for all home men’s ice hockey, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball games. Anyone who is interested can sign up by contacting the School of Performing Arts office, and no audition is required.

The course number is MUO 113, and can be taken for zero or one credits. If taken for credit, the course will count towards certain general education requirements. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings, from 7-9 (it does not actually start at 6:30).

Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals and performances. Due to the size of the Pep Band, it is broken up into 3 smaller bands. There are roughly 45 games per season, with each band performing at roughly the same number of men’s ice hockey, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball games. The average member will do roughly 15 games between October and March.

Certain members who show lots of dedication to the band will be selected to join the playoff band(s) at the end of the season. These members will have the opportunity to travel with the teams, depending on location and game. Over the 2018 Spring Break, the women’s basketball team won the America EastChampionship, and received an automatic bid to compete in the NCAA tournaments. The Pep Band and Dance Team flew on a chartered plane to Austin, Texas to play against the University of Texas in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Previous travel to games included Boston, Massachusetts and Albany, New York.

All members must have a Pep Band shirt. Details on how to get one will be given in the first rehearsal. The shirt is the ticket into games and is the uniform for the band. For hockey games, band members must arrive to the band locker room in the Alfond Arena prior to 30 minutes before the start of the game. For basketball games, band members must be on the bus outside the Class of 1944 Hall. The bus will leave 75 minutes before game time, and will return approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

If you have any questions, please contact the director, Mr. (Chris) White here.