CSU’s revived athletic band brings music back to the sports scene – The Cauldron

Samantha Brown, a member of CSU’s athletic band, found herself in the role of assistant director after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program into a fresh start.

As a music education major, Brown aspires to bring people together through music. According to her, the band is a great way to show how music can support all branches of life.

The athletic band is not just limited to music majors. Whether you played in high school or are just beginning your musical journey, it’s one easy way to keep music in your life, Brown added.

“I wanted to show other students that it’s not scary,” Brown, 21, said. “It is an approachable thing for anyone, no matter how musically inclined you are.”

The band performs alongside the dance and cheer teams, choreographing interactive routines and chants that elevate audience participation. Photo Credit: Ava Fuduric

Previously known as the pep band, the term “athletic band” was coined by the band’s current director, Bo Violette, who was looking to rebrand the program.

A month before the 2022 season started, Violette received a phone call—-the athletic department wished to reinstate a band to enhance the atmosphere during games. Since Violette spent much of his time up in the Cleveland area, he decided to give it a go.

With no true plan, Violette focused on recruitment and refreshing older musical equipment. It was definitely a “find out as you go” process, he added, but eventually he grew into the department’s environment.

Prior to the 2022 season and before Violette’s time as a director, the pep band struggled to survive under COVID-19, which made progress in the program difficult.

Having been the director for two years now, Violette was happy to report that this band has been nothing but successful and positive. Members have increased from 17 to 26 in the past year and the program has hopes to recruit even more. 

“It has been a rewarding experience to rebuild something that fizzled out,” Violette said.

As of right now, the athletic band attends all men’s and women’s basketball games. This extends to postseason travel for tournaments, including Horizon League and NCAA.

The band performs alongside the dance and cheer teams, choreographing interactive routines and chants that elevate audience participation. Known as the “Spirit Squad,” the three groups work very closely together to keep audiences entertained and excited to watch the game.

“It’s not just what’s on the court,” Leslie Masterpaul, assistant athletics director for marketing and fan engagement at CSU, said. “It’s every component together that really creates the game-day atmosphere.”

Moving forward, Violette hopes to expand the program, hoping to play for other sporting events like volleyball and soccer. Considering CSU’s lack of a marching band, there is also an ambition to pursue performing in parades and at community events.

“It has been a lot of initiating tasks and learning responsibility,” Brown said. After three committed years, the athletic band is what she lives for.

Growing support for the program is in the ambitions of both Violette and Masterpaul. Not only does the band’s music encourage collaboration, but it also aims to bring people together on an eventful day.

“I hope they know how much we care about them,” Masterpaul said. “And how much value they bring to Cleveland State.”