Roald Dahl wrote that, “A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men” ("Quotes About Relaxation"). This ideology is especially applicable to students in higher education who are majoring in mathematics and scientific fields. After experiencing exceedingly intense calculus, physics, and engineering coursework all through the day, most young men and women need some sort of outlet to release the tension and stress that has built up within them. The Embry-Riddle Pep Band [ERPB] provides this opportunity, by fostering a positive spirit in its members with a more relaxed practice structure than a traditional marching band. Though the time investment is sizable, many of the students show that they are genuinely pleased to be present through humorous remarks. In turn, the students create a lighter, restoring atmosphere where they can recapture some of the joy they experienced when playing their respective instrument at a younger age. Some background information on the logistics of ERPB is necessary to begin this analysis. Under normal circumstances, biweekly practices are held on Monday and Thursday, lasting approximately 75 minutes for all band members, and 120 minutes for the drumline. In addition, ERPB plays at all home volleyball games, basketball games, …show more content…
About two-thirds of the way through this practice on October 12th, ERPB played a song that had a trumpet solo, and the trumpeter mistimed when she was to play the solo’s first note. After another example of the humorous “brushing off” of the mistake occurred, the Drum Major dictated the band would replay the same song from a certain measure late in the music, so as to give her additional practice. This exemplifies how ERPB allows individual players to work on more challenging elements of the music on an as-needed basis, while also limiting the amount of time invested on what ideally is a quick