BU

History

The BU cheer is played by just about every pep band in existence, during football, basketball, hockey, and quidditch matches. The chromatic five-note cheer can be played with just about any harmonic accompaniment, but RPI's band plays it in unison, with occasional ad libbing by individual players (trumpets and trombones in particular).

Usually, BU is one of the first three cheers out of the band in the beginning of a game, and is usually repeated two or three times throughout the length of the contest. Notably, Jim Cronen conducted one hockey game during the 1997-1998 season intentionally avoiding BU. This was an accomplishment, given the band's frequent use of the cheer.