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The roar of the crowd, the squeak of sneakers on the hardwood, and—most importantly—the electrifying sound of the Lincoln Trail College Pep Band. Under the energetic direction of Jena Combs, this group of dedicated musicians is transforming the atmosphere at LTC basketball games, making every matchup feel like a championship event.
More Than Just Background Music
The LTC Pep Band isn’t just there to fill the silence during timeouts. Their role is to bring an extra spark of excitement to every game, turning the gym into a high-energy arena where fans, players, and musicians alike feed off the rhythm of the music. “We’re here to provide the soundtrack for game day—whether it’s pumping up the players before tip-off, celebrating big plays, or rallying the crowd during key moments,” says Combs. “A live band adds an element of spontaneity and spirit that recorded music just can’t match.”
Keeping the Energy High
Combs and her band know exactly how to keep the crowd engaged. Carefully selecting high-energy songs that encourage clapping, singing, and even a little bit of dancing, they create an interactive experience that makes being a fan at LTC games even more fun. “We try to strategically time our songs to build momentum, especially during timeouts or when the team needs a boost,” she explains. “We also encourage audience participation—clapping along, singing, or dancing in their seats. It’s all about creating an interactive experience that makes the game even more exciting.”
Building School Spirit, One Note at a Time
Music has a unique way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what the LTC Pep Band aims to do. “I want people to feel excitement, school pride, and a connection to the game and the LTC community when they hear us play,” says Combs. “Whether they’re students, faculty, or fans from the community, I want them to walk away from a game feeling like they were part of something special.”
Looking to the Future
This is just the beginning for the Pep Band. Combs envisions the ensemble growing in size and becoming a staple of LTC athletics and student life. “My goal is to build a strong, enthusiastic group of musicians who are excited to represent the school,” she says. “I’d love to see the Pep Band grow in size and visibility on campus, becoming a staple of LTC athletics and student life. I also want to increase collaborations with local high school bands, explore performances at other LTC events, and expand our repertoire to keep things fresh and fun.”
One of the most exciting recent collaborations involved students from Robinson High School joining the Pep Band for a game. This initiative allowed high school students to experience playing in a collegiate pep band setting, and the results were electric. “This collaboration was an effort to strengthen our relationship with local high school music programs and give students a taste of the college band experience,” Combs explains. “We invited local high school bands to join us for a game, play alongside us, and get a feel for what it’s like to perform in a collegiate pep band. Robinson very excitedly took us up on that offer. It was a fantastic experience—having the extra musicians brought even more energy, it was great to see high school students getting excited about continuing music beyond graduation, and it was amazing to see musicians of all ages play together and have fun.”
The Soundtrack of LTC Spirit
Choosing the right songs is key to the band’s success. A mix of classic pep band staples and contemporary hits keeps both musicians and audiences engaged. “I look for songs that are upbeat, recognizable, and fun to play,” says Combs. “We mix classic pep band staples with newer pop and rock hits to keep things interesting for both the players and the audience. I also try to incorporate music that resonates with our students so they feel more connected to what they’re playing and hearing.”
Join the Band!
Want to be part of the action? The LTC Pep Band is always looking for enthusiastic musicians to join the team. No audition is required—just a love for music and a desire to contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of LTC athletics. “Anyone who plays a band instrument and wants to be part of a fun, supportive group is welcome to join! No audition is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to be part of the team,” Combs encourages. Interested students can reach out to her at combsj3@iecc.edu for more information about joining next season.
As the band continues to grow, one thing is clear: the LTC Pep Band is more than just music—it’s the heartbeat of game day. And with Combs at the helm, that beat is only getting stronger. “The Pep Band is an exciting part of the LTC experience, and we appreciate the support and can’t wait to keep making music for our team and community!” she says.
