Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
| Pride of the Mountains Marching Band | |
|---|---|
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| School | Western Carolina University |
| Location | Cullowhee, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Director | David Starnes |
| Members | 500+ (Fall 2014) |
| Website | http://www.prideofthemountains.com/ |
The Pride of the Mountains is the marching band of Western Carolina University and is widely considered one of the best bands in the nation for innovative performances.
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, once in the Rose Bowl Parade in 2011, and was featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2014. Tournament of Champions is hosted on the Western Carolina campus every year in the fall in which 25 high schools are invited to the campus to compete.
The Western Carolina University marching band was founded in 1938 with 23 students. 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 just over 500 members making them the largest university marching band in the United States. The marching band is open to all Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College, and Haywood Community College students regardless of class or major, with approximately 60% of its members comprising non-music majors. The class is available for zero, one, or two credits to encourage the optimal number of members.
In 1998, 2003, 2008, 2012, and 2015, the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band was featured as an exhibition show at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis. 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 and featured in the book "Marching Bands and Drumlines: Secrets of Success from the Best of the Best” by Paul Buyer.
Recognized on both a regional and national level as one of the premier marching bands in the nation, the Pride of the Mountains traveled to Indianapolis to perform two shows in the Lucas Oil Stadium. WCU’s 2012 production, entitled “How We Roll” included four movements titled, “Pop,” “Lock,” “Drop,” “Stop,” and “Roll,” and featured a variety of artists.
The Pride of the Mountains won the Sudler Trophy in 2009. The award is often referred to as the "Heisman Trophy of collegiate marching bands". 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.
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