Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
Encyclopedia
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. The band participated in the 2011 Rose Parade
in Pasadena, California, performing the song "You" by Suburban Legends
, in memory of that band's former trombone player, Ryan Dallas Cook
.
The marching band is open to all Western Carolina students regardless of class or major, with approximately 60% of its members non-music majors.
"Purple Thunder" is a standing, indoor percussion ensemble that performs during halftime at select home basketball games. The group is chosen through an audition process. In addition to the drums (snares, tenors, and basses), the group also includes colorguard and electronic sound system that runs the pop music that accompanies the percussion. The group made their debut performance in the spring of 2008.
just prior to the playing of the National Anthem
.
Fight Song
is the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. He is the former director of bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Ga. The 2011-2012 marching season was his first year as the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University.
Mr. Matt Henley, 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, is the Director of the Summer Symposium for Marching Arts camp, is the Recruiting Coordinator for the School of Music, and currently serves on the Percussive Arts Society National Marching Committee.
Mr. Jon Henson, 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.
Scott Beck serves as the Color Guard Director, Choreographer, and Instructor.
Adam Sage serves as a Color Guard Design Consultant.
Ashley Tetrault serves as the permanent Color Guard Instructor.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. The university is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system....
and the most recent recipient of the Sudler Trophy.
The band performs pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows at all Catamount Football
Western Carolina Catamounts
The Western Carolina Catamounts are the athletic teams of Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Southern Conference. Western fields sixteen varsity sports teams. The Catamount football team competes in Division I 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 participated in the 2011 Rose Parade
Tournament of Roses Parade
The Tournament of Roses Parade, better known as the Rose Parade, is "America's New Year Celebration", a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and a college football game on New Year's Day , produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.The annual...
in Pasadena, California, performing the song "You" by Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends are a third wave ska/pop band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998, and are currently based out of Santa Ana, California.- History :...
, in memory of that band's former trombone player, Ryan Dallas Cook
Dallas Cook
Ryan Dallas Cook , better known to his fans as Dallas Cook, was one of two trombone players in third-wave ska band Suburban Legends.-Suburban Legends:...
.
History
Western Carolina's marching band was founded 1938 with 23 students at Western Carolina Teachers College. 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 400 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. 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.Sudler Trophy
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.Pep bands
The "Cathouse Band" pep band plays at home basketball games during basketball season. A band of 100+ members for both men's and women's basketball games is open to all students. The pep bands travel with the WCU basketball teams to end of season conference and NCAA tournaments."Purple Thunder" is a standing, indoor percussion ensemble that performs during halftime at select home basketball games. The group is chosen through an audition process. In addition to the drums (snares, tenors, and basses), the group also includes colorguard and electronic sound system that runs the pop music that accompanies the percussion. The group made their debut performance in the spring of 2008.
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 MaterAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
just prior to the playing of the National Anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
.
School songs
Alma Mater
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Faithful, kind, and true;
Every son and every daughter
Offers praise to you.
Hail to the dearest spot of all;
Hail to WCU!
Light and life and fond devotion
All to thee are due.
Purple robes and colors golden,
Streaming everywhere,
Swell our hearts with pride for olden
Days and friendships dear.
Under shade trees' friendly bowers,
Voices, ever gay,
Mingles with breath of flowers
And the song birds' lay.
Shout aloud with one loud chorus,
Voices clear and true,
Lifted high in praise and honor,
All for WCU!
----
Listen to the Alma Mater performed by the band-
Alma Mater
Fight Song
Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!
Western, Western, Go-Western! Go-Cats!
Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!
----
Listen to the Fight Song performed by the band -
Fight on! You Catamounts
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.Professional Staff
Mr. David Starnes,is the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. He is the former director of bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Ga. The 2011-2012 marching season was his first year as the Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University.
Mr. Matt Henley, 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, is the Director of the Summer Symposium for Marching Arts camp, is the Recruiting Coordinator for the School of Music, and currently serves on the Percussive Arts Society National Marching Committee.
Mr. Jon Henson, 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.
Scott Beck serves as the Color Guard Director, Choreographer, and Instructor.
Adam Sage serves as a Color Guard Design Consultant.
Ashley Tetrault serves as the permanent Color Guard Instructor.