{"id":71767,"date":"2020-05-14T15:05:42","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T19:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/id-andrea.cms-devl.bu.edu\/cfa\/?p=71767"},"modified":"2022-08-02T14:04:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T18:04:20","slug":"bus-pep-band-performs-virtual-fight-song-go-bu","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/id-andrea.cms-devl.bu.edu\/cfa\/news\/articles\/2020\/bus-pep-band-performs-virtual-fight-song-go-bu\/","title":{"rendered":"BU Pep Band performs virtual fight song “Go BU!”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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May 14, 2020<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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The BU Pep Band and alumni perform BU’s fight song “Go BU!”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Alex Ross (COM\u201922)<\/em><\/p>\n

Doug Darrah (CAS’20) sat in front of his computer with his tuba, troubleshooting video for a homemade tutorial. Darrah is a member of Boston University\u2019s Pep Band<\/a>\u2014 the group of 120 musicians responsible for the famous Terrier fight song \u201cGo BU.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the wake of the global virus that has forced students from campus and quartered musicians in their homes, Darrah and Athletic Bands Director Aaron Goldberg<\/a> were determined to find a way to bring the BU community together, even from a distance. Darrah\u2019s tutorial was sent out to nearly half of the band, along with a recording of the fight song and instructions on how to participate in the virtual performance of \u201cGo BU.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides giving the students a chance to play together, I also wanted to help,\u201d says Darrah. \u201cI figured that if alumni and other members of the BU community see us playing together then it might give a sense of normalcy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having started playing trumpet in the fifth grade, before switching to bass trombone and eventually tuba, Darrah has always valued the experiences and community band has given him. The virtual performances of the New York Philharmonic<\/a> and the Carolina Crown Drum Corps<\/a> inspired Darrah to continue making music, even with band members scattered around the country.<\/p>\n

The Pep Band, one of BU Bands’<\/a>\u00a0University-wide ensembles, is 120 students strong, though not everyone currently has access to their instruments. Still, 60 people armed with an age-old memorization of the fight song signed up to participate in Darrah\u2019s virtual undertaking.<\/p>\n

The BU Pep Band ensemble operates in \u201chigh-demand\u201d says Goldberg, the Band\u2019s director. They average about 125 performances per year, 100 of which are done on campus to support almost every University organization that exists.<\/p>\n

Goldberg was thrilled when Darrah pitched his idea to go virtual. \u201cI knew that the Band, while interacting with each other online and staying in touch as best as possible during this time of remote learning, was really aching to play together again,\u201d Goldberg says. \u201cPlaying music that is full of energy and spirit is what we do!\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the Pep Band\u2019s end-of-the-year festivities have fallen victim to the social distancing demanded by COVID-19, Darrah, a senior nonetheless, remains optimistic. He was responsible for gathering together the band\u2019s individual video recordings to create the final product.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven in these trying times, the band can keep playing together,\u201d Darrah says, \u201cand I think that can be a very powerful statement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cheer on BU and sing along to the virtual fight song!\u00a0Check out the video here:<\/a><\/p>\n