Jan. 25, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

by Brady Henderson, WWU sports information office

When the action at Carver Gym pauses, the Viking Band starts up.

Thanks to the collective effort of the Western Washington University music and athletic departments as well as the WWU Alumni Association, that has been the scene at home basketball games this season.

The band was born last year when Dr. Christopher Bianco took over as Western's Director of Bands. With the help of the athletic department and a large donation from the alumni association, Bianco created the Viking Band.

"Dr. Bianco came to Western and felt that it was an important component that was missing not only from the music department but from the student life here at Western," said senior Jacob Scherr, the band's student conductor.

The band played at home football games and volleyball matches in the fall and currently performs at men's and women's basketball games at Carver Gym. The number of members is around 30 for basketball games and approximately 100 for football contests, but the same instruments are used, including a brass, woodwind and percussion section. At basketball games, the band includes a single drum set as opposed to the drum line that plays at football games.

Along with Western's fight song and the Star-Spangled Banner, the band's set list during games includes as many as 30 covers, including Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" as well as "Tear The Roof Off The Sucker" by the funk band Parliament.

"We try to play songs that rock," Scherr said. "We try to play a lot of really fast, upbeat pieces that people can get into."

Band director Brad Hendry said when they are not playing during pre-game warm-ups, timeouts and halftime, members are still making noise.

"I think we're a pretty good cheering section as well," said Hendry, who also plays trumpet in the band.

Their efforts do not go unnoticed.

"I think it's just been awesome and it's a tremendous addition to the basketball environment overall," said men's basketball coach Brad Jackson. "It has made for more excitement in every aspect of the game and it is certainly something that I think has been much needed."

Aaron Wilson, the band's trombone section leader, said that during the football season fans would regularly approach the band and thank members for the "boost in spirit." Wilson said the feedback continues to be positive.

"They seem to like us. We always get a pretty hardy round of applause," Wilson said. "It's just like a party up there every single game." Senior Leah Drake, the band's saxophone section leader, has noticed the increase in energy the band has brought to Carver Gym.

"The atmosphere at the games is getting better and the people are starting to get into it more," Drake said. "When the crowd starts getting into it, it's great. We're yelling and screaming and just having a good time."

Hendry hopes to have a marching band at home football games in three or four years, but for now the band's goal is to establish itself with the Western community and to encourage a more active fan base at home sporting events.

"It's been really great having this and I think it's an important thing for the university," Hendry said. "Everyone enjoys being in that atmosphere. Everybody really seems to have a good time."