By Tiffany Ayuda
The crowd roars and applauds over the sounds of vibrant, chromatic waves releasing from a trumpet’s bore. The flutes hum merry and sweet, the drums set the pace and the chorale sings in harmony, bringing life to the audience. The University’s Pep Band and Chorus may not perform together at events, but they both have one thing in common: they are not recognized by the student body.
Laura Pisciotta, a graduate student at Hofstra, has been captain of the Pep Band for five years. She is committed to her role as captain, leading a very busy life of being in charge. Some of her tasks involve sending e-mails to the band members about upcoming games, compiling trip and room assignments, payroll and driving the van for equipment.
“I do everything, even chewing out various slackers in the band,” Pisciotta said laughing. Fred Motley has directed the Pep Band for 10 years now. As the most respected member of the Pep Band, Motley is dedicated to the band and is really passionate about what he does. Pisciotta remembers an instance when one Pep Band member missed her bus back to the University from the airport after a trip to California for a winter event. Motley drove at 4 a.m. to the airport and picked her up. Many Pep Band members agree that they have the best music director and that makes all the difference.
“How many music directors would do that? I don’t think any Pep Band director goes out of his way as much as Dr. Motley has,” Pisciotta said.
The Pep Band is open to all students, not just students in the music department. Because the Pep Band is not a requirement for music majors, Pisciotta says they end up with a lot of less powerful instruments like piccolos and clarinets. Other bands have hard-core, brass instruments and trumpets.
“I’m sorry to say that I don’t think the students of Hofstra have a lot of pride in us. In fact, I’m pretty sure they think of us as a big joke,” Pisciotta said. “I think they get a kick out of our director, he’s a real character, but otherwise, they only seem to want to hear us play the hey song so they can chant ‘You suck!’ at the other team.”
While many University students seem to not have much of an interest in the Pep Band, the Pep Band is gaining some recognition during Hofstra basketball games, which are usually packed with University students.
“The band really gives us energy during the games, especially when our team is losing,” Pascale go, a sophomore, said laughing. “Their music gives us so much pride that we start cheering, obnoxiously loud again.”
There are actually five choral ensembles at the University. The Hofstra Chorus is a mixed choir of 80 members, including men and women. Like the Pep Band, the University Chorus “U Choir” is open to all students. The “U Choir” is an ensemble that emphasizes vocal technique, listening exercises and reading skills during rehearsal. Professor William Hammer directs the “U Choir,” which exclusively plays on the Hofstra Campus, including Adam’s Playhouse and Monroe Lecture Theater. Dr. Fryling is a director of three of the choral ensembles at the University, including the Hofstra Chorale. With a membership of 55 members, the Hofstra Chorale specializes in larger-scale choral works, ranging from a cappella pieces to the rich variety of the choralorchestral repertoire.
Fryling says that the Hofstra Chorale serves two purposes.
“First, it acts as a laboratory for Hofstra’s future music educators, providing an outlet for the exploration of the art of ensemble preparation through the study of the highest-quality choral and choral-orchestral literature,” Fryling said. “Second, it provides all participating students with a professional level ensemble dedicated to the highest standards of public performance through two annual concerts.”
The Hofstra Chorale has performed in and outside of campus, including Carnegie Hall, the Garden City Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. When asked about his favorite performance, Fryling said he has always been very proud of his singers.
“Quite honestly, I think every performance is fantastic and tops the last,” Fryling said. Highlights for the group have been the Chamber Singer’s recent concert at Carnegie in the fall of 2006 and the recent performance of Midwinter Songs of Lauridsen.
“Every semester my singers put a great deal of energy into preparing a great amount of music for very little credit. Every semester I’m even more proud of them than the last,” Fryling said.
Although the Hofstra Pep Band and Chorus are not world renowned ensembles, they are still something to be proud of.

Members of the University’s Pep Band assemble to show team spirit.