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About Us

Welcome to the AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band!

Founded in 1930, the AU Pep Band is the university's musical spirit at athletic events and various university functions. Our membership includes a diverse range of backgrounds from throughout AU community, including students from all academic colleges & majors, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. In addition, our members are involved in a wide-variety of campus activities, fraternities and sororities, clubs, athletic teams, and societies, and come from all parts of the country.

The AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band's primary function is to help foster school spirit on the American University campus. We accomplish this with performances at athletic events (men's basketball and women's volleyball games) and other functions including pep rallies, AU Preview Days, and alumni events. On average, the Pep Band performs 10-15 times per semester, as well as rehearsing weekly in the Katzen Arts Center during the fall.

As the Screamin' Eagles Pep Band recognizes its 80th Anniversary, we're proud to celebrate several important milestones from the 2008-2009 season. In addition to traveling to Philadelphia to perform at the Men's Basketball NCAA game this last March, we were honored to perform on the main stage at the 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Pep Band Class of 2012 was our strongest yet; over 25 new members joined us, swelling our active roster to well over 60 people. We've made several critical investments in Pep Band equipment, including a redesigned uniform, new drum set, and a new music stand & filing system. And we were pleased to welcome our first electric bass and guitars into the band.

We hope you consider joining us - the Screamin' Eagles Pep Band is proud to represent American University, and looks forward to seeing you in our ranks soon!

Meet the Director

Marc Decker is the newly appointed director of the American University Pep Band.  Before moving to the east coast, Marc was a graduate assistant at The University of Iowa working towards a Doctor of the Musical Arts in Band Conducting.  His responsibilities at Iowa included working with the 260-member ‘Hawkeye’ Marching Band, Iowa Pep Bands, and concert band programs. During this time Marc traveled to the Orange Bowl, Insight Bowl, NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and the Men’s and Women’s Big Ten Tournament.

Prior to coming to Iowa, Marc was director of bands at South Haven High School in South Haven, Michigan.  He directed the ‘Purple Pride’ Marching Band, the high school concert bands, jazz bands, and coached chamber ensembles.  The bands at South Haven earned superior ratings in marching, jazz, and concert festivals during his tenure as director.

Marc holds a Master of Arts in Band Conducting from The University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois.  His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

For questions about the Screamin’ Eagles Pep Band, please email Marc at decker@american.edu.