The band at Atherton High School has grown in the six weeks since school began. Mendy Cumberledge, Atherton’s Band & Choir Director, assists her band students, who motivate her to excel in making a creative impact on their talents as musicians.
Besides Concert Band, band students can also perform in the Pep Band at Atherton’s football home games.
Pep band plays a mix of popular songs in genres such as rock, pop, funk and R&B to excite students and create a lively atmosphere.
Alexander Glass (9), is a trombone player who enjoys the opportunity to be a part of the band, being challenged with the new music they play for this year, and has learned more than just playing.
“I wasn’t into football before pep band, and then when I got into pep band, I started to realize how people felt during the football games.” Glass responded.
“The music brings out different people from the band. In one of the songs, 25 to 6 or 4, I have the main chord. Normally for trombone, we go with tuba or other instruments, so it’s really nice to play out.”
There are also students in band who don’t participate during the football games but instead only join along in the pep rallies. Evelyn Batista (12), a flute player for Atherton’s band, is one of the students who doesn’t play at the games, but instead plays for the school spirit in pep rallies.
“In pep rally, it’s required for us to play. We help create the school spirit and, well, get others hyped up for it. I feel like that energy is the reason why school spirit is what it is.” Batista responded. “I like the music we play; it has high notes that I can play, and I just like playing in a higher register. I learned way more complicated rhythms while in band; I picked it up way more quickly than the previous years I’ve been in band.”
Atherton’s pep band isn’t just to create hype but also to pitch in for the funds that the football team gives for the Atherton Band, as their funds come from the football games.
Atherton has their own anthem fight song. A short stirring song, and along with the music, there is a chant given for the Atherton Ravens to join.
“A—T—H—E—R—T—O—N” while doing arm signals. “Fight, fight, Atherton! Fight, fight, Atherton! Go, go! Go Ravens, go!” with a tagline at the end to finish Atherton’s fight song.
So, next time you go to another Atherton Football or pep rally, make sure you remember that this isn’t just a chant for the band, but for all Ravens.
