West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band

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The West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band is the official marching band at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. It is best known for its world famous color guard.

[edit] History

The West Chester Marching Band was founded in 1936 at then West Chester State Teachers College. Throughout its history the Golden Rams Marching Band has been one of the most influential ensembles on other marching related groups throughout the northeastern United States.

In the mid 1930s, the marching band was simply an addition to the college's football games. Under the direction of director Mr. Powell Middleton, the band was comprised of 50 male students. Over the next few years, the "Girls Trumpet Corps" was added to the marching band which was said to "add considerably to the effectiveness of the group".

In the early years of World War II, the band was chosen to play at many military ceremonies, including when many West Chester State students left for military service. The Golden Rams Marching Band had progressed from being just a football band to having an active role in the community.

Following the war years, the directorship was assumed by Mr. Paul Carson. Carson, as director, added new service style uniforms for the band and the band increased in size from 50 to 65 men. In 1954, the band earned the reputation as the "best small college band in the Country." By the end of his time as director, Mr. Carson had raised the marching band to the size of 90 playing members, and West Chester was named "the biggest and best band in the east" in 1965. The mid to late 1960s saw a number of changes. New uniforms including shakos and rams on the uniform jacket were introduced as well as a new director, Mr. Richard Boerlin. In 1968, the band travelled with the football team to Orlando, FL for the Tangerine Bowl game.

The biggest step yet in the development of the marching band came in 1970 with the introduction of director Mr. James R. Wells. Under his leadership the band expanded to over 200 members, including an all female colorguard and band front. In 1974, women were allowed entrance to the band proper, not just the colorguard. It was also at this point that some of the most prominent graduates of the Golden Rams Marching Band were taking part in the program. John Villella, current director of the marching band, George Parks of the Drum Major Academy and UMass fame, Anothony Yaklick Drum Corps Hall of Fame member, and Thom Hannum, former Crossmen drum corps percussion instructor. In the 1980s, the marching band continued to increase in size and reputation, taking on the name "Incomparable". Few bands in the country could match the quality of performance of the Golden Rams, and no one could compare with the name of West Chester State College Marching Band. Also in the decade, famous marching members such as Michael Klesch, former Crossmen and Phantom Regiment brass instructor and current assistant director at UMass, Tom Aungst, Cadets drum corps percussion instructor, Dan DeLong, current Bluecoats drum corps percussion instructor, and Todd Marcocci, current WCU colorguard designer and former director of Field of View indoor guard.

In the early 1990s, Dr. John Villella took over the Golden Rams Marching band. A uniform change and a new, more modernized style were trademarks of the new directorship. As marching band changed and adapted, so to did West Chester University with a "corps style" technique and modern colorguard. In 1996, the marching band shifted to a themed show concept from the previous and old fashioned varied repertoire shows. In 1999, the marching band received its newest uniforms to date, based off a highly modern drum corps design. In the last few years, the Golden Rams Marching Band has continued to serve the school at football games, the community with parades and political rallies including a performance for then presidential candidate George W. Bush, and the marching band and drum corps community with performances throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. West Chester is now known as a state-of-the-art marching band program, bringing in marching members from many states.

[edit] Traditions

• Pie in the Face:

The Pie in the Face Contest is a rather new tradition added on the last day of band camp. Tickets are sold during the entire week to see who will get a chance to pie the Drum Majors and the Coordinators in the face.

• Pre-Game and "The Tunnel":

Prior to every home football game at Farrell Stadium, the Golden Rams have a traditional schedule. At the designated time Warm-up begins for the band proper behind the Fitness Building on South Campus. The Winds and Percussion assemble a few selections before setting a block and marching to the President's Tent.

The Band sets up a playing arc for the President of WCU and her guests just outside the stadium. Selections usually include stands music, a march, and selections from the field show.

Following the President's arc, the band marches to the stadium to perform for Pre-game. Depending on the part of the season, this performance is either arcs on the field playing similar music to the fans as for the President or the field show.

The culmination of Pre-Game is the tunnel. The band sets up two long lines from the Side 1 endzone to midfield. As the Football Team takes the field, they run through the tunnel as the Band plays "ABC/Ram's Fight".

• Homecoming:

For Homecoming, the band has a full weekend. The night preceding the Homecoming game, the University holds a Pep Rally. Held in the Residential Quad, the Band and Colorguard perform for the thousands of students who come out for the festivities. And, of course, there is the naming of the King and Queen (the marching band candidates are always top candidates!)

On the day of Homecoming, there is a morning parade starting near Swope Hall which loops around North Campus and back down Church Street. Floats, bands, and Greek organizations make this an exciting event on campus. Even the WCU Alumni band takes part in the parade.

At night, the Homecoming football game is the grand finale of the weekend. The crowd is huge at the game, and there are few things that get them more excited than to hear the marching band play "Ram's Fight".

• The Cymbal Run:

The Cymbal Run is usually held as a fundraiser at the very end of the season, typically after the final rehearsal.

In the 1999 season, Dr. Villella and Edward Otto challenged each other to a race across the practice fields, crashing cymbals the whole way. However many dollars were raised, equaled how many yards they would run.

In following years, the Cymbal Run has included student coordinators and other members of the professional staff. Cheating, dragging opponents to the ground, and otherwise foul play often occur as each member of the staff races for bragging rights!

• Band Banquet: This formal affair has been a part of the Golden Rams' season for years. The Band Banquet gives the students a chance to socialize with each other in a different setting than marching band rehearsal. Usually at the end of a season, section leaders present awards to members of their sections amidst music and dancing.

[edit] External links

• | West Chester University Golden Rams Marching Band
• | West Chester University