There is a unique recipe to the atmosphere inside Cameron Indoor Stadium during basketball games, and an essential ingredient is the Duke University Marching and Pep Band, composed of fans with knacks for instruments like the clarinet, flute and trombone.

"The students and band each play an important role in creating one of the most exciting venues in which to watch a college basketball game, and... one of the most intimidating places to play," said band president Nick Superina, a junior.

The Cameron experience, including everything from the traditional 10-song warm-up set to "Rock Lobster," is captured on the band's first CD. The 34-track album, titled Blue and White, will be released soon.

"We wanted to bring the atmosphere of basketball, volleyball or football games to life," Superina said. "We created a mix of recordings of the most popular tunes and fight songs that make Duke, Duke."

Many of the songs have been performed by the band for over 15 years. "There are some staples that have been here forever [and] some that have disappeared," said band director Neil Boumpani. Of the 100 arrangements Boumpani has written for the band, a dozen or so have become classics and are preserved on the CD.

Duke University Stores funded the project, including three days of studio recordings and live takes from this year's home basketball game against Clemson University. Although the band had planned an initial release of 1,000 CDs, Duke Stores anticipated a larger demand, ordering 2,000 CDs for students on campus as well as for alumni and fans around the country.

Thanks to this year's football schedule, the band had three weeks of extra rehearsal time in the fall to polish its music for the record, Boumpani said. The band usually rehearses marching drills for four hours per week in the fall, in preparation for its half-time shows at football games.

The entire band, comprising about 100 members, plays at every home football and men's basketball game. Boumpani said the students who play in the band exhibit enthusiasm and cohesiveness. Band turnout at women's basketball games often exceeds the minimum required number of students, and for the past two years, groups of band members have voluntarily performed at men's club hockey games.

Both athletes and coaches appreciate the band, said junior Joe Baltz, a drum major. Men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and football coach Carl Franks have publicly acknowledged the band, and sophomore basketball player Chris Duhon even contributed his bass drum talents during a volleyball game.

Besides admission to every home basketball game, band members can qualify, based on seniority and attendance, for post-season tournament play. Since only juniors and seniors usually travel, many members are motivated to participate in the band all four years, Baltz said.

Senior Charlie Forton, who attended the men's Final Four last year, said the experience was memorable, but the early rounds did not compare to games in Cameron. His memories of the band are not about specific games but about moments during games, like hearing the crowd explode during the national championship game last year when junior Mike Dunleavy sank three treys in a row.

This year has brought the revival of the trombone section's surfboard act during 'Wipeout.' Ten years ago, the section created a surfboard on which the Blue Devil mascot would 'surf' on the trombone players' backs. Although the board broke during a recent game, Superina said the act is another way the band helps create Cameron's atmosphere.

Since the band's auditions are simple, most members are students who are simply looking for a way to continue playing their instruments while getting involved with Duke athletics, Boumpani said. 'We don't make your talent a requirement--we'd rather have your spirit,' he said.