Student Starts Group to Encourage Unity and Fun and to Glorify God Through Music

October 9 was a big night for the Lancaster Bible College women’s volleyball team, which chalked up its third conference win in an already-strong season. But that victory over Penn State Abington wasn’t the only excitement of the evening. The game also saw the debut of LBC’s brand-new Pep Band, which helped get the crowd going with high-energy tunes from the mezzanine of Horst Athletic Center.

The student-run Pep Band was the vision of Music Education major Nicholas McVaugh (’26), who had a goal to help bridge the gap between music and athletics, as well as provide opportunities to musically talented students.

“We wanted to allow students who were in the marching band in high school to have a similar experience here at LBC,” said McVaugh, “and we wanted to give students an opportunity to share their gift of music to glorify God.”

The official college club, under the guidance of Associate Professor and Director of Vocal Studies Dr. Jeffrey Martin, provides students with a way to combine their faith, educational experience at LBC and passions.

“In starting this Pep Band, I have the unique opportunity to directly apply what I am learning as a Music Education major to leading band rehearsals,” McVaugh shared. “I also work to make the club Christ-centered as we celebrate our shared passion for music.”

With just one performance in the history books so far, the Pep Band is looking forward to sharing music in the future at other LBC athletic events.

Besides McVaugh, 2024-25 Pep Band members include the following talented students:

• Juliana Anderson (’25), Music: Elective Studies
• Lydia Blankenbiller (’27), Music Education
• Grant Del Collo (’27), Communication
• Larsen Del Collo (’27), Music Education
• Aaron Hershey (’25), Music Education
• Immanuel Johnson (’26), Music Performance: Instrumental (Percussion)
• Brian Kapp (’28), Business Administration
• Seth Lanford (’28), Music Composition
• Ezekiel Ruffner (’26), Youth & Young Adult Ministry
• Brooke Weiss (’26), Music Education

Said McVaugh, “Our goal is to cultivate a flourishing environment to bring multiple departments together to engage in worship through athletics and music.”

*Photos by Jalen Glasgow (’25)