If there really is a hoop heaven, the house band would be Princeton's, troubadours in straw hats who played the theme from "Underdog" late in the Tigers' victory.

We are an American Band -- the Princeton University Band. We are one of less than a dozen scramble bands in the USA; while each show may include some marching, the Band gets from one formation to the next by scrambling -- a highly energetic maneuver that is Random Incarnate®. Our halftime shows are composed of equal helpings of music, a humorous script, and clever formations. Often the music and formations are punchlines to the script. Every week's show is different; the scripts are written entirely by Band members, and satirize everything from campus life, to national politics, to the eternal verities. Forty years of halftime scripts are available for your reading pleasure. Several years of pregame scripts are also available for your reading bewilderment.

As soon as football season ends, the PUB transforms itself into a Pep Band, and plays at basketball and hockey games. While you won't find any halftime shows at these, the Band's unique outlook and school spirit are evident in the enthusiastic cheers it leads. When the nationally-renowned Princeton Tigers shoot basketball in Jadwin Jungle, you can be sure of seeing the best-executed backdoor plays in the nation, and "Heaven's House Band."

In the Spring, you'll often find the Band at lacrosse games and other Princeton sporting events, marching in parades, crashing weddings, sneaking onto national TV, and generally spreading the Princeton spirit wherever we go. In fact, during the past decade we've been to twenty NCAA tournaments, including six trips to the Big Dance (men's basketball), and eleven lacrosse Final Fours! We finish off the year as one of the highlights of Reunions, leading the One and Only P-Rade.

Our musical repertoire is eclectic, to say the least. Naturally we play Princeton music, a rare march or two, and the occassional bizarre tune that only makes sense as a punchline to a halftime formation, but often you'll hear us playing Princeton student favorites. Never a cheesy latin piece (well, almost never).

Unlike most other college bands, we are entirely student-run. Our officers handle everything from conducting, to running show-writing and rehearsals, to feeding and clothing our members. We have some other positions besides the officers. (It's all spelled out in excruciating detail by our constitution.) While we disdain rigid rules and structure, we do have just a couple of annual awards and competitions. There are also organizations for Band alumni.

Why

The Band exists as much for the enjoyment of its own members as it does for the entertainment of spectators; "Music, Marching, Mirth, and Merriment" are the Band's bywords. A while back, we even had the simple, almost zen-like motto: "Band is fun." (That's BIF for short.)

Where You Fit In

The PUB is always looking for new members. Whether or not you play a musical instrument, if you are a Princeton student or alumnus, you are welcome to join the Band.

Other bands, the world press, MTV, people with money to donate, and just about anyone else (no Congressional committees please) are welcome to contact the Band.