- Distinguished professorship named in honor of Chancellor Bardo
- Fall commencement set for Dec. 19 at Ramsey Center
- Nursing degree can be earned in one year through ABSN program
- WCU novelist Ron Rash wins second Sir Walter Raleigh Award
- Senior named top mathematics education student in region
- Bids opened for new MAHEC building; part of venture with WCU, UNCA
- Board of trustees approves proposed tuition, fees for 2010-11
- Steps toward WCU-Dillsboro partnership continue with campus tour
- Students win national awards at mediation tournament
- 'Meeting Doctor' to lead Jan. 21 workshop at WCU
Above: Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains marching band used a variety of props in the 2008 field show “Work It!”
Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be one of five to be featured at a video performance session at the College Band Directors National Association’s conference on Friday, March 27, in Austin, Texas.
Bob Buckner, director of athletic bands; Matt Henley, assistant director of athletic bands; and Jon Henson, assistant director of athletic bands, have been invited to introduce a video of the band performing the 2008 field show “Work It!” at the conference.
“This selection by the College Band Directors National Association is a very significant honor for WCU’s band,” said Mark Spede, a spokesman for the CBDNA jury of collegiate band directors which selected the honorees. “The jury was looking at overall excellence and creativity.”
The group reviewed numerous videos and ultimately selected performances by WCU, the University of Arizona, the University of California Los Angeles, Colorado State University and Texas Christian University to share at the conference’s performance session, said Spede who is director of bands and associate professor at Clemson University.
“We are flattered to be mentioned in the same company as these other outstanding bands,” said Buckner.
The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band’s 10-minute show featured electronics, singers and small instrumental ensembles among the 350 artists on the field. Visual elements ranged from construction hard hats to baseball caps for the color guard and a prop with hoses, smoke and flashing lights that is similar to what the Blue Man Group uses. All of the music, including pieces from rap and hip-hop genres, related to the theme of working.
The opening musical selection was “Working for the Weekend,” and the closing piece was “Taking Care of Business.” Other musical highlights included “Hold On, I’m Coming,” a Missy Elliott tune called “Work It” and a drum solo based on a James Brown piece “Cold Sweat.”
“What was really unusual was how Matt Henley wrote a drum solo arrangement that was accompanied by the actual recording,” said Buckner. “That’s an example of how at WCU we musically combine avant-garde and cutting-edge ideas with old-school music in new and different ways.”
For more information about WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, go to the Web site http://www.prideofthemountains.com or call (828) 227-2259.
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Last Modified: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009