The MU Pep Band performing and getting the crowd excited at an athletics event. (Pictured: Pep Band and Dennis Peitler on far right)
JOHN HAMMOND / COURTESY
By Laili Shahrestani, Staff Writer
Manhattan University’s Pep Band experienced a shift in leadership by appointing former member John Hammond as the new director of the group.
Hammond is currently a graduate student at MU and was previously a trombonist for the pep band. This change in leadership came as a shock to the band, due to the fact that the group has a track record of hiring more experienced faculty members for this particular position.
When speaking to The Quadrangle in regards to his new role, Hammond mentioned that he feels well-suited for the big shift. He touched on how his prior experience as a member of the Pep Band allows him to get to know and understand his current students better.
“I have been in Pep Band since my freshman year,” Hammond said. “I am a second year graduate student now, so I definitely have gotten to know everyone. I’ve been there for their first years. I’ve been to every practice and all the games. I do feel like I really know and understand them very well.”
Students presently enrolled in the Pep Band feel as if the culture of the group has not changed at all since Hammond stepped into his new role. Current band members spoke about how having a director who was in their shoes not too long ago makes it easier for them to relate to one another, as well as understand each other better.
John DelJuidice, a junior in the MU Pep Band, spoke to The Quadrangle about how having a current student and former band member take on this new role fosters a positive and understanding environment.
“I have faith that he’ll do a great job this year,” DelJuidice said. “I think it is nice that he has prior Manhattan University Pep Band experience, and so he is able to understand a little bit more of who we are, what we like to play and how we like to conduct ourselves.”
With Hammond being a part of Pep Band for several years, he seems to be fully aware of what should be expected of the band, as well as what skills the students may need to have a successful year. The current president of Pep Band, Dennis Peitler, spoke with The Quadrangle in regards to how this shift in leadership brings a sense of ease to the team due to the fact that Hammond can relate to his students.
“I like having a former member take over because there is a level of comfort and transparency,” Peitler said. “I think that goes with him being a previous member of the band.”
Although current Pep Band members expressed feelings of gratitude toward Hammond’s new position, they also held a few concerns regarding his lack of directing experience. Peitler went on to mention how he has faith in Hammond and believes he is doing great so far, yet his absence of experience is something that may be a concern.
“I think we definitely could have benefited in other ways by having an older faculty member as director,” Peitler said. “John may not have the necessary skills to give us the kinds of notes that a more experienced person would, but I think he has done great so far.”
DelJuidice expressed how Hammond being a current graduate student at MU is convenient for the band, considering the fact that he is on campus and around his students all the time. DelJuidice acknowledged and admired Hammond’s efforts, while simultaneously sharing his feedback.
“I think that the lack of directing experience might be something that John will have to work on, but it is also great that he’s a student,” DelJuidice said. “As a student, he will be able to show up to all of the meetings that we have, because he lives on campus and is always around. I think that helps maintain the flow of the group a lot easier.”