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Coordinates: 35°18′39.60″N 83°11′02.40″W / 35.3110000°N 83.1840000°W / 35.3110000; -83.1840000
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We also perform post-game.
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The [http://www.prideofthemountains.com/ Catamount Marching Band] (also known as '''''The Pride of the Mountains''''') is the marching band of [[Western Carolina University]] and the most recent recipient of the Sudler Trophy.
The [http://www.prideofthemountains.com/ Catamount Marching Band] (also known as '''''The Pride of the Mountains''''') is the marching band of [[Western Carolina University]] and the most recent recipient of the Sudler Trophy.


The band performs pre-game and half-time shows at all [[Western Carolina Catamounts|Catamount Football]] home games and provides exhibition performances throughout the Carolinas. The Pride of the Mountains has been featured several times as an exhibition band at the BOA Grand National Championships (a showcase for the nation’s top high school marching bands) and at four BOA regional competitions in Atlanta, Georgia.
The band performs pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows at all [[Western Carolina Catamounts|Catamount Football]] home games and provides exhibition performances throughout the Carolinas. The Pride of the Mountains has been featured several times as an exhibition band at the BOA Grand National Championships (a showcase for the nation’s top high school marching bands) and at four BOA regional competitions in Atlanta, Georgia.


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 04:53, 20 September 2009

Template:CollegeMarchingBandInfoBox

The Catamount Marching Band (also known as The Pride of the Mountains) is the marching band of Western Carolina University and the most recent recipient of the Sudler Trophy.

The band performs pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows at all Catamount Football home games and provides exhibition performances throughout the Carolinas. The Pride of the Mountains has been featured several times as an exhibition band at the BOA Grand National Championships (a showcase for the nation’s top high school marching bands) and at four BOA regional competitions in Atlanta, Georgia.

History

Western Carolina's marching band was founded 1938 with 23 students at Western Carolina Teachers College. [1] In 1991 the band numbered 88 total members, including 18 dancers. Since that time the band has experienced a steady growth to its present membership level of approximately just over 350 members.

The marching band is open to all Western Carolina students regardless of class or major, with approximately 60% of its members non-music majors.

Recent Honors

In 2008, the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band was the special guest at the 2008 Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, an honor given to only 1 college band in the United States each year. In 2009, the "Pride of the Mountains" marching band was selected as one of the five best collegiate marching bands in the nation by the College Band Directors National Association[2] and featured [3] in the book "Marching Bands and Drumlines: Secrets of Success from the Best of the Best” by Paul Buyer.

Sudler Trophy

The Pride of the Mountains won the Sudler Trophy[4] in 2009. The award is often referred to as the "Heisman Trophy of collegiate marching bands".[1] Western Carolina is the only institution in the state of North Carolina and the first member of the Southern Conference selected for this very prestigious award.[1]

Pep bands

The "Cathouse Band" pep bands plays at home basketball games during basketball season.[5] A large band of approximately 100 members for men's basketball games is open to all students, and a small band of 20 members plays for women's basketball games. The women's Cathouse Band is determined by auditions, and members receive a scholarship for playing at games through the semester. The pep bands travel with the WCU basketball teams to end of season conference and NCAA tournaments.

Traditions

March to the Stadium

Approximately one hour prior to the start of home Catamount Football games, the marching band will start its march to the stadium. The march across campus to the stadium is complete with police escort, lights and siren. The band begins in front of the Coulter Building and marches down Centennial Drive. They then turn left and march down University Way, past Scott Hall. The band takes a left onto Centennial Drive then takes a right onto Catamount Road, then a left into the Northwest entrance to E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The march to the stadium takes approximately 20–30 minutes and thousands of Catamount fans line the route to watch the band make their entrance.

Singing the Alma Mater

During the conclusion of the pregame show each week, the band lines up facing the East stands, puts down their instrument and sings the Western Carolina University Alma Mater just prior to the playing of the National Anthem.

School songs

Other ensembles

  • Wind Ensemble - Directed by John West, this auditioned ensemble of 40-50 musicians performs a challenging repertory that includes premieres of commissioned works. This group meets every semester and tours in the spring of odd-numbered years.
  • Jazz Band - Directed by jazz pianist Pavel Wlosok, this auditioned group performs jazz standards and new works for jazz band. Tours in the spring of even-numbered years.
  • Symphony Band - Meeting in the spring semester only, this group of 60-80 musicians is open to all students without audition. Directed by John West.
  • Artist-in-Residence Orchestra - With a professional string section from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, this auditioned ensemble performs orchestral masterworks with wind, brass, and percussion students.
  • Civic Orchestra - A college and community chamber orchestra, led by Bill Henigbaum.
  • Percussion Ensemble - Led by Dr. Mario Gaetano, this group performs challenging works for various combinations of percussion instruments.
  • Studio Ensembles - Most of the wind and brass studios offer small ensembles of like instruments that are conducted or coached by the studio teacher.
  • Gamelan Ensemble - Consists of tuned percussion instruments (gongs, chimes, etc.) from Indonesia and is directed by Joy Shea.
  • Concert Choir - Directed by Bob Holquist.

Tournament of Champions

The Pride of the Mountain's Tournament of Champions is an invitational competition that invites 25 of the Southeast's top high school marching bands to the Cullowhee campus annually. This events attracts nearly 10,000 musicians and spectators.

Service organizations

Kappa Kappa Psi

Sigma Alpha Iota

Phi Mu Alpha

Leadership

Professional Staff

Bob Buckner, Director of Athletic Bands[6] A graduate of WCU, Bob Buckner, winner of the Lowell Mason Award,[7] is currently in his eighteenth year as the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. [8]

Mr. Jon Henson, [9] is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Some of his primary duties are to instruct and arrange for the rhythm section or "Soul Train" and serve as the primary instructor for the front ensemble. His other duties include the management of all aspects of the "Pride of the Mountains" Electronics as well as developing media for the band program. He also works with the "Pride of the Mountains" two “Cathouse Bands.[10]

Mr. Matt Henley,[9] is a double graduate of Western Carolina University, receiving a BA in Music in 1993 and an MA in Music in 1995. His service to the “Pride of the Mountains” began in 1991 as a student and has continued through his appointment as the Assistant Director of the band. He is also responsible for all aspects of the marching percussion program at Western Carolina University.[11]

Donna Buckner serves as the Color Guard Coordinator for the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.

Larry Rebillot serves as the choreographer for the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band.

References

  1. ^ a b c "WCU band wins 'Heisman' of marching bands". The Asheville Citizen-Time. 2009.
  2. ^ "WCU marching band top five in the nation". The Southern Highland Reader. 2009.
  3. ^ "WCU Band featured in new book by Clemson professor". The Southern Highland Reader. 2009.
  4. ^ "WCU band gets top honor". The Asheville Citizen-Times. 2009.
  5. ^ "Pride of the Mountains". Western Carolina University. 2008.
  6. ^ "National Music Educators Association Bestows Highest Award Upon WCU's Buckner =WCU". 2004.
  7. ^ "Pride of the Mountains". WCU. 2009.
  8. ^ "Bob Buckner". WCU. 2009.
  9. ^ a b "VIC FIRTH SPOTLIGHT: WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS DRUMLINE". VIC FIRTH. 2009. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 21 (help)
  10. ^ "Jon Henson". WCU. 2009.
  11. ^ "Matt Henley". WCU. 2009.
Preceded by Sudler Trophy Recipient
2009 		Succeeded by
TBD

35°18′39.60″N 83°11′02.40″W / 35.3110000°N 83.1840000°W / 35.3110000; -83.1840000

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