Spectators at the home football games this season are in for a wonderful performance from the Robert Morris University Jam Blues Band. This year’s set list for the show includes Journey’s famous “Don’t Stop Believing” along with “Take on Me” by A-ha, “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes, “Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas and “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid.

The Jam Blues Band is unlike any other marching band. Instead, it is categorized as a show band. They spice up their routines by adding fancy footwork to their pop pieces.

“We have a band counsel which is a leadership team that makes up all the dances during the summer. We are very unique that we are a show/dance band because the majority of bands mostly march military style,” said Betsy Charles, the band director.

In addition to performing at home games, the band acts as ambassadors at local events. This has created a great reputation for the band and for the university.

”We try to spread our RMU spirit to the crowd, whether it is a football game or just a pep rally, no matter what it is,” stated junior Thomas Barone, band president and student conductor.

However, rallying crowds is not all that the band does.

“We believe it is our civic duty to help other folks, so we have always felt the need to use our music to help others, if we can,” added Charles.

Members of the RMU community who are interested in getting involved but lack musical ability, are welcome to join the color guard or learn to play basic instruments. Contact Betsy Charles at [email protected].

“We are inclusive; we do not want to turn anyone away who has the heart and the desire to do what we do, and if they want to learn, we will teach them,” concluded Charles.