Band

In October of 1931, the Student Council at George Washington University decided to organize a student band. Ted Rinehart, a GW student and a member of the student council, chaired the committee which undertook the task of forming a marching band from scratch in time to play at least one game during the football season that fall. Today the GW Pep Band plays for both Men's and Women's Basketball games, continuing a long tradition of support and enjoyment.

Unfortunately, by 1950 the enthusiasm of the band had waned. In 1988, a small group of students organized a small pep band that played at basketball games. During the 1988-89 school year, support for a University-sponsored pep band increased, and the band was taken over by the Music Department under the leadership of Prof. Patrick Jones.

In 1990 Prof. Ben Fritz became the GW Band Director.  Currently, the Colonial Brass plays at Men's and Women's basketball home games and travels to select away games and tournaments.  The band has over 60 members, and they are among the most spirited fans in the stands!  The Band is a part of several GW traditions, including their renditions of the GW Fight Song, and the song "Hey Baby".  Visit the Band website at http://www.gwu.edu/~band/ .

(source: GW University Archives)