Saint Francis University Bands
"The number one band program in all of Loretto, PA!"
About Us
The Saint Francis University Band Program consists of two main ensembles, the Marching Red Wolves in the Fall, and the Pep Band in the Spring. The marching band performs their high-energy halftime show at home football games, area band shows, local high schools, and travels to playoff games and other events. The pep band brings a ridiculous amount of energy and enthusiasm to home basketball games, and the occasional volleyball match. Check out the bullet points below for some more information.$17,000 in scholarships over four years! (see scholarship page for more details).
- No auditions required!
- Only two practices per week.
- All instruments, uniforms, and gear provided.
- Earn your Fine Arts credits.
- Perform at home football and basketball games.
- Travel to select playoff games and regional events.
- Meet lots of great people and make lifelong friends!
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Schedule
FALL 2026
August, 2026
- Friday, August 14 - Wednesday, August 19: Band Camp
- Saturday, August 22 - KENNYWOOD (all day)
September, 2026
- Saturday, September 12 - SFU Band Night, 6:00pm
- Saturday, September 26 - FB vs. GCC, 1:00pm (Family Weekend)
October, 2026
- Saturday, October 3 – Westmont Band Show - Noon
- Saturday, October 17 - FB vs. SVC, 1:00pm (Homecoming)
- Friday, October 23 - Central Cambria Side-by-Side (afternoon/evening)
- Saturday, October 31 - FB vs. Bethany, 1:00pm (SFU Side-by-Side)
November, 2026
- Friday, November 6 - MBB vs. Susquehanna, 7:00pm
- Saturday, November 14 - FB vs. Geneva, 1:00pm (Senior Day)
- Tuesday, November 17 - MBB vs. Penn State Dubois, 7:00pm
- Tuesday, November 24 - STEAM Day performance (early am)
- Monday, November 30 - WBB/MBB vs. Waynesburg, times TBD
December, 2026
- Wednesday, December 2 - WBB/MBB vs. Franciscan, times TBD
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SFU Band Scholarships
- All SFU band members receive excellent scholarships!
- The scholarships grow every year that you are in the band,
up to four years. - There are separate scholarships for Marching Band (Fall
Semester) and Pep Band (Spring Semester). - If you participate in both bands for all four years, you will
receive $17,000.00 in scholarships!
Scholarship Chart
Years in Band | Marching Band (Fall) | Pep Band (Spring) | Total Yearly Scholarship |
1 | $2,250 | $1,250 | $3,500 |
2 | $2,500 | $1,500 | $4,000 |
3 | $2,750 | $1,750 | $4,500 |
4 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
Four Year Total | $17,000 | ||
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Meet Our Staff
Jonathan Neff
Director of Bands
Jonathan Neff was appointed Director of Bands at Saint Francis University in July of 2022. He is responsible for directing the Marching Red Wolves, the Red Wolves Pep Band, and prepping and directing the pit ensembles for all musicals. The SFU Bands bring a unique energy and style to every performance.
Mr. Neff was born and raised in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Grove City College, and a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. Prior to coming to Saint Francis University, Mr. Neff spent fifteen years teaching predominately middle school and high school band in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. During that time, he had the opportunity to teach beginning band, junior high band, senior high band, marching band, competitive parade band, basketball pep band, jazz ensemble, music theory, choir, pit ensembles for musicals, lessons on all instruments, and adaptive general music.
Mr. Neff enjoys performing and will happily play saxophone, bass guitar, or a variety of other instruments, whenever the opportunity arises. He is also an active guest conductor and has guest conducted multiple middle and high school concert bands and jazz ensembles in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.
Morgan Boring
Colorguard Instructor
Morgan Boring was appointed as the Saint Francis University Colorguard Instructor in the fall of 2023. She is responsible for creating routines, teaching performance quality and stage presence, and translating music into visuals for the audience.
A graduate of Cambria Heights High School, Morgan was a member of the Highlander Marching Band's colorguard for three years, serving as captain for two and founding a middle school colorguard club. After high school, Morgan attended Slippery Rock University, where she performed with the SRU Marching Pride's Colorguard for four years. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Education in the spring of 2023 and currently teaches 7th-grade science at Hollidaysburg Junior High School. Morgan is also currently working towards her Master's degree in Environmental Education from Slippery Rock University.
Morgan enjoys teaching and working with the band staff and the SFU Red Flash members to create unforgettable performances. She is looking forward to many more amazing years with the SFU Red Flash!
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Contact Us
If you have any questions about the SFU Band please reach out the Director of Bands, Jonathan Neff.
Connect with us!
Email: jneff@francis.edu
Call us: 814.471.1182
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, you will! This isn't high school, you will have much less structure in your week than you do right now. If you can manage your time a little bit you will have no problem being part of the band and keeping up with school. We have almost every major on campus represented in the band and they all manage to do just fine!
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Yes! We have current band members participating in sororities, fraternities, student government, esports, part-time jobs, theatre productions, intramural sports, clinical rotations, and so much more!
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Yes, of course! We have students in the band right now at various ability levels from all sorts of different high school programs. We even have a few students who are just now picking up an instrument for the first time. We also have members who are first-time marchers in the marching band. If you are interested in band, we want you here, the more the merrier!
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No, join right away! You get to move in early, get comfortable with campus, and you’ll have a built-in network of other first year students, and upperclassmen, who will help you and support you as you start your classes.
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- Woodwinds: Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax
- Brass: Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba
- Percussion: Snare Drum, Tenor Drums, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Bells
- Band Front: Colorguard, Majorettes
Yes, you will! This isn't high school, you will have much less structure in your week than you do right now. If you can manage your time a little bit you will have no problem being part of the band and keeping up with school. We have almost every major on campus represented in the band and they all manage to do just fine!
Yes! We have current band members participating in sororities, fraternities, student government, esports, part-time jobs, theatre productions, intramural sports, clinical rotations, and so much more!
Yes, of course! We have students in the band right now at various ability levels from all sorts of different high school programs. We even have a few students who are just now picking up an instrument for the first time. We also have members who are first-time marchers in the marching band. If you are interested in band, we want you here, the more the merrier!
No, join right away! You get to move in early, get comfortable with campus, and you’ll have a built-in network of other first year students, and upperclassmen, who will help you and support you as you start your classes.
- Woodwinds: Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax
- Brass: Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba
- Percussion: Snare Drum, Tenor Drums, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Bells
- Band Front: Colorguard, Majorettes